Data Engineering Test Lead

PBT Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

PBT Group is seeking a Quality Assurance Lead to oversee testing of data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes and BI reporting solutions in Cape Town. The role blends hands-on data/SQL testing with leadership and stakeholder engagement.

You will mentor a small team of testers, coordinate UAT with business users and SMEs, and ensure readiness for go-live. Strong SQL and data quality focus are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5–8 years in data/QA testing with 2+ years in a lead role.
• Advanced SQL, ETL/ELT testing, data warehousing concepts (Kimball/Data Vault).
• Experience with Azure/AWS/Snowflake and BI tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the test strategy across SIT, data validation, regression and UAT for data and BI solutions.
• Design and execute data reconciliation, validation and quality checks (source-to-target, row counts, transformation logic).
• Build repeatable test frameworks and automated data quality checks where possible.
• Lead and mentor a small team of testers; coordinate testing resources and priorities.
• Plan and coordinate UAT with business users and SMEs, including sign-off.

Skills

Advanced SQL

Data testing

Test leadership

UAT coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree/diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related

Tools

Azure

AWS

Snowflake

Power BI

Qlik

Job description

To lead the quality assurance and testing of data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes and reporting solutions, ensuring data is accurate, reliable and fit for business use. The role blends hands-on data/SQL testing with test leadership, UAT coordination and structured stakeholder engagement across Business, SMEs and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Testing & Data Quality

• Define and own the test strategy across SIT, data validation, regression and UAT for data and BI solutions.
• Design and execute data reconciliation, validation and quality checks (source-to-target, row counts, transformation logic, business rules).
• Build repeatable test frameworks and automated data quality checks where possible.
• Manage defect logging, triage, root-cause analysis and resolution tracking.

2. Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and mentor a small team of testers / QA analysts; coordinate testing resources and priorities.
• Plan and coordinate UAT with business users and SMEs - scope, entry/exit criteria, scenarios, execution tracking and business sign-off.
• Manage testing risks, dependencies and readiness for go-live.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage Business, Internal teams and SMEs in a structured, professional manner.
• Define test cases and communicate quality status clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Build credibility and a "big picture" business acumen - not just query-writing.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualification: Bachelor’s degree/diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related (or equivalent experience)
• Experience: 5-8 years in data/QA testing, with 2+ years in a lead/coordination role
• Core Technical: Advanced SQL (mandatory), ETL/ELT testing, data warehousing concepts (Kimball/Data Vault)
• Testing:
• Domain: Short-term insurance / financial services exposure highly advantageous
• Cloud / Tooling: Exposure to Azure / AWS / Snowflake, Power BI / Qlik; test/automation tools an advantage

Advantageous / Nice-to-Have

• Guidewire, TIA or similar insurance platform data structures
• Python for test automation / data validation
• Experience in cloud migration or Medallion architecture initiatives
• ISTQB or similar testing certification

Key Strengths (Ideal Candidate)

• Strong SQL and data-testing capability with a quality-first mindset
• Proven test leadership and UAT coordination
• Structured stakeholder engagement and business acumen - commands respect and sees the bigger picture
• Analytical, methodical problem-solver who can bridge business and technology

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