QA Automation Lead

SkillsMap; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Job summary

SkillsMap is seeking a seasoned QA Automation Lead to define and drive the automation strategy, manage the automation team, and ensure the development and maintenance of scalable automation frameworks aligned with business objectives and continuous delivery practices.

The role requires leadership in automation, experience with Selenium, Playwright or Cypress, and a strong focus on CI/CD integration, reporting, and improving automation coverage across multiple applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field.
• ISTQB Test Automation Engineer (preferred).
• Automation tools: Selenium, Playwright, Cypress.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the QA automation team and define automation strategy.
• Plan automation delivery and maintain scalable automation frameworks.
• Ensure CI/CD integration and continuous testing across projects.
• Prepare monthly and sprint reports on software testing activities.
• Drive automation coverage to reduce manual regression and increase automation execution.

Job description

Job Reference Number: AM-34
Department: I.T
Business Unit:
Industry: Information Technology
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related To lead the QA Automation capability by defining and executing the automation strategy, managing the automation team, planning automation delivery and ensuring the development and maintenance of scalable automation frameworks that support business objectives, quality standards, and continuous delivery practices.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To lead the QA Automation capability by defining and executing the automation strategy, managing the automation team, planning automation delivery and ensuring the development and maintenance of scalable automation frameworks that support business objectives, quality standards, and continuous delivery practices.

Key Performance Areas

• Responsible for Automation Test Strategy as well as Automation Coverage Metrics.
• Preparing Monthly and Sprint reports on all aspects related to the software testing carried out.
• Ensure continuous automation coverage and adoption through reduced manual regression effort and increase in automation test execution rates.
• Own the automation framework.
• Lead and develop the team to achieve team performance objectives.
• Determine achievable Automation Sprint Goals for the Automation team.
• Ensure CI/CD integration & continuous testing.
• Support projects to ensure on-time automation delivery, pre-production quality. validation and successful release outcomes.

Job Requirements

Minimum skills and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field.
• ISTQB Test Automation Engineer (preferred).
• Relevant automation tool certifications (Selenium, Playwrite).
• 5+ years in QA automation or software development across multiple applications
• 2+ years' experience in a lead or mentoring role
• Experience managing automation teams.
• Experience defining automation strategies and frameworks and Agile delivery methodologies
• Experience with capacity planning and resource management.
• Experience implementing CI/CD quality gates.

Competencies

• Automation Strategy & Framework Design – Ability to design, implement and maintain scalable, reusable automation frameworks.
• Technical & Programming Expertise – Strong coding skills and hands-on experience with automation tools such as Selenium, Playwright or Cypress.
• CI/CD & Quality Engineering – Ability to integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines and drive quality throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Leadership & Mentorship – Ability to lead, coach and develop QA engineers while setting technical standards and best practices.
• Analytical Problem-Solving & Quality Ownership – Strong root-cause analysis, defect investigation, risk assessment and ability to drive continuous improvement.