Automation Test Lead

Pbt Group; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in South Africa is seeking an experienced QA Automation Lead to oversee automation testing strategies and mentor a growing QA team. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of software testing experience, including 4–5 years in a lead role. Responsibilities include defining testing strategies, identifying automation opportunities, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align QA efforts with project goals. This role offers the chance to impact quality standards significantly and shape the QA culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software testing, with at least 4–5 years in a lead role.
• Hands-on expertise with Selenium (TestNG); knowledge of Cypress, Playwright is a plus.
• Proficient in RESTful API testing and performance testing tools like JMeter.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the automation testing strategy.
• Mentor QA engineers in automation and best practices.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to create test cases.

Skills

Leadership

Selenium

JavaScript

API Testing

Cypress

Communication Skills

Education

Computer Science degree or equivalent

ISTQB Certification

Tools

Jenkins

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

We're Hiring: QA Automation Lead

Do you thrive in leading teams, building robust automation frameworks, and ensuring seamless delivery? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced QA Automation Lead to oversee end-to-end testing strategies, champion test automation, and mentor a growing QA team.

In this role, you'll ensure quality standards across planning, development, and delivery, while collaborating closely with development, DevOps, and business teams to align QA efforts with overall project goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the automation testing strategy, ensuring alignment with product and project objectives.
• Identify automation opportunities, perform ROI analysis, and prioritise test cases.
• Design, implement, and maintain scalable automation frameworks (Hybrid, BDD, POM).
• Lead the creation of automation test plans, including scope, tools, timelines, and risk mitigation.
• Mentor QA engineers in automation and best practices.
• Monitor and report test coverage, quality metrics, and drive process improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into effective test cases.
• Participate in agile ceremonies—planning, grooming, retrospectives.

What We're Looking For

• Experience: 10+ years in software testing, with at least 4–5 years in a lead role.
• Automation Tools: Hands‑on expertise with Selenium (TestNG), plus experience with Cypress, Playwright, or equivalent.
• Frameworks & Languages: Strong knowledge of JavaScript/TypeScript; Python is a plus.
• Proficiency in TestNG, JUnit, Cucumber. API & Performance Testing: Solid RESTful API testing, plus exposure to K6, JMeter, or Gatling.
• DevOps & CI/CD: Experience with Git‑based systems (GitHub/Bitbucket/GitLab), Jenkins, AzureDevOps, or GitLab CI.
• Other Skills: Mobile testing (Appium), cross‑browser/device testing (BrowserStack, Sauce Labs), Docker/Kubernetes, OWASP ZAP security testing.
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Nice to Have: Computer Science degree or equivalent.
• ISTQB Certification.
• 2+ years in short‑term insurance projects.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of automation strategies, lead innovation in QA practices, and shape a culture of quality.

You’ll work in a collaborative environment where your expertise directly impacts the success of projects and products.