Test Lead

About the Role : We are looking for an experienced Test Lead to oversee the testing activities across multiple projects and ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions.The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in manual and automation testing, test planning, test strategy development, and team leadership.You will work closely with cross-functional teams-including development, product management, and business stakeholders - to ensure comprehensive test coverage and defect-free product delivery.This role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and a proactive approach to continuous improvement in QA processes.Key Responsibilities : - Define, document, and implement comprehensive test plans, test cases, and test strategies aligned with project goals and business requirements.- Determine testing scope, test objectives, and entry/exit criteria for each release or sprint.- Identify and assess testing risks and propose mitigation strategies.- Ensure adherence to established QA standards, processes, and methodologies (Agile/Waterfall/Hybrid).- Lead the QA team in executing manual and automated test cases for functional, regression, integration, system, and UAT testing.- Track and monitor test progress, defect status, and quality metrics throughout the release lifecycle.- Conduct test reviews and ensure complete traceability between requirements, test cases, and defects.- Drive continuous improvement in test coverage and quality assurance deliverables.- Identify areas suitable for test automation and develop strategies for automation coverage.- Work with automation engineers to design, implement, and maintain automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, etc.)- Integrate testing activities with CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps.- Manage test environments, data, and configuration for both manual and automated testing.- Lead and mentor a team of QA engineers, ensuring clarity in task assignments, goals, and expectations.- Conduct knowledge sharing sessions, code reviews, and QA training to upskill the team.- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the QA team.- Coordinate with project managers, developers, and business analysts to align testing activities with project timelines.- Communicate testing progress, issues, and risks to stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.- Collaborate with clients and business teams during UAT and production validation phases.- Provide test summary reports and recommendations for release readiness.- Drive the adoption of QA best practices, templates, and metrics across the organization.- Introduce process automation, defect prevention techniques, and quality measurement frameworks.- Participate in retrospectives and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance QA efficiency.Required Skills & Expertise : - 6-10 years of experience in software testing, including at least 2+ years in a lead role.- Strong knowledge of software testing life cycle (STLC) and defect life cycle (DLC).- Hands-on experience with test management tools (JIRA, TestRail, Zephyr, HP ALM, Azure DevOps).- Strong experience in manual testing and at least working knowledge of automation testing.- Good understanding of API testing using Postman, RestAssured, or similar tools.- Experience with SQL and database validation.- Familiarity with web, mobile, and integration testing.- Knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban) and working in sprint-based environments.- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills (ref:hirist.tech)