IT Software Engineer 5 (Lead SDET / Test Automation Lead)

Position Title: IT Software Engineer 5 (Lead SDET / Test Automation Lead)

Location: Hybrid Chicago, IL (2 days per week onsite) - (Future expectation to transition to 5 days onsite when required)

Let's create our future together at The AES Group!

About The AES Group:

The AES Group is a premier technology consulting company that has been bringing businesses and talent together for over 20 years to deliver the most innovative technology solutions that create the most positive impact on society. AES has helped over 40 business enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, engage their customers, empower their employees, and transform their business operations with the power of cloud, data, AI, and other emerging technologies.

Position Summary

The Lead Software Engineer (Lead SDET) will lead Quality Engineering initiatives, and enhance the existing test automation framework, and collaborate with multiple engineering teams to ensure software quality across complex technology programs. This role involves defining automation strategies, mentoring Quality Engineers, contributing to architecture discussions, and driving high-quality software delivery through automated testing, continuous integration, and quality best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Quality Engineering efforts across multiple applications and projects.

Own test strategy, test planning, and automation execution.

Design, develop, and enhance enterprise test automation frameworks.

Develop automated test scripts using Java and existing automation frameworks.

Build and maintain API automation frameworks.

Develop automation solutions supporting Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD).

Perform end-to-end integration, functional, and system testing.

Conduct exploratory and manual testing when required.

Collaborate with Product Owners, developers, architects, and cross-functional teams.

Mentor and lead onshore and offshore Quality Engineering teams.

Review automation code and promote testing best practices.

Support software releases through automation and regression testing.

Team Environment

Enterprise Software Engineering Program.

Large-scale Engineering Organization.

Team Size: 20+ Engineers.

Lead and mentor 10+ Quality Engineers.

Participate in architecture discussions and technical review meetings.

Collaborate across multiple engineering teams.

Required Qualifications Education

Bachelor's Degree required.

Experience

10+ years of Software Quality Engineering / Test Automation experience.

5+ years leading Quality Engineering teams.

Experience leading teams of at least five Quality Engineers.

Extensive experience designing enterprise automation frameworks.

Required Technical Skills Programming Languages

Java (5+ years).

JavaScript.

Test Automation

Test Automation Framework Design (8+ years).

Selenium or enterprise automation frameworks.

API Automation.

Automated Regression Testing.

Functional Automation Testing.

BDD Frameworks

Cucumber (3 5 years).

JBehave.

Other BDD frameworks.

API Testing

REST API Testing.

Web Services Testing.

Performance Testing

JMeter.

Databases

SQL.

Relational Databases.

DevOps & CI/CD

Jenkins.

Git.

CI/CD Pipelines.

Testing Experience

Integration Testing.

End-to-End System Testing.

Full Stack Testing.

Third-Party Integration Testing.

Test Strategy.

Test Planning.

Test Case Development.

Test Data Management.

Preferred Skills

Python.

AWS Cloud Development.

Microservices Architecture.

Apigee or API Gateway technologies.

Performance and Load Testing.

Test-Driven Development (TDD).

Continuous Integration.

Code Reviews.

Agile / Lean methodologies.

Strong technical documentation skills.

Top Skills

Lead SDET / Test Automation Leadership.

Java, Cucumber, and API Test Automation.

Automation Framework Design and CI/CD.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Ability to work in complex enterprise environments.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Proactive and adaptable mindset.

Ability to work effectively with business stakeholders and engineering teams.

Candidate Value Proposition

This role provides an opportunity to lead Quality Engineering initiatives for a next-generation enterprise technology program, working on large-scale, innovative software solutions. The position offers exposure to modern automation frameworks, cloud technologies, CI/CD practices, and cross-functional collaboration while influencing quality strategy across multiple engineering teams.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Lead SDET with extensive experience designing automation frameworks, leading Quality Engineering teams, and driving enterprise testing strategies. They possess deep expertise in Java, API automation, BDD frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and Agile development, while effectively mentoring teams and collaborating with architects, developers, and product stakeholders.