Head Of Software Development Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (Senior SDET) is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing frameworks and infrastructure that support the quality and reliability of Vontas software platforms. This role collaborates closely with manual QA engineers, developers, and product teams to implement scalable test automation solutions across backend services, APIs, and complex enterprise systems running on Windows and Linux. The Senior SDET will help drive improvements in automation strategy, framework architecture, and CI/CD integration while introducing modern development practices and AI-assisted tooling to improve testing efficiency. As a senior member of the QA organization, this role is expected to mentor automation engineers and independently develop automation coverage in complex and long-standing systems where domain knowledge gaps may exist, particularly within real-world, field-deployed transit environments.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities:

(This is a senior hands-on technical role that provides technical guidance, mentorship, and collaboration support to team members.)

• Provide hands-on technical guidance and work direction for automation initiatives, ensuring scalable and maintainable solutions.
• Guide and mentor test automation engineers on automation framework design, coding standards, and best practices.
• Support onboarding and upskilling of team members in automation tools, frameworks, and development workflows.
• Act as a technical escalation point for complex automation challenges, system integration issues, and test reliability concerns.
• Drive consistency in automation standards, code quality, and engineering practices across the team.
• Design and maintain scalable test automation frameworks supporting functional, integration, and regression testing across backend services and vehicle-mounted systems.
• Develop automated tests for APIs, backend services, and edge/mobile systems running on Windows Embedded (WES7) and Linux environments.
• Implement and maintain automation within CI/CD pipelines to support continuous testing and reliable nightly regression execution.
• Develop and maintain automated API test suites (REST/SOAP) and validate system behavior across service layers.
• Perform database validation and data verification to support end-to-end automation coverage.
• Collaborate with product developers, QA engineers, and product teams to improve test coverage, testability, and automation strategy.
• Analyze test failures, investigate defects, and assist engineering teams with troubleshooting and root cause analysis across system layers.
• Independently learn complex product functionality and expand automation coverage across legacy and modern product areas, including field-deployed systems.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, Claude-based assistants, Playwright for UI automation, and AI-assisted workflows that support automation development, debugging, and test generation.
• Document automation frameworks, testing approaches, and standards to support team knowledge sharing and consistency.
• Review, assess, and enhance existing automation frameworks to improve scalability, maintainability, and overall effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong programming proficiency in Python and C#, with working knowledge of JavaScript for UI/web-based automation
• Ability to design, build, and maintain scalable test automation frameworks across enterprise applications, including backend services, web/desktop interfaces, and field-deployed systems in Windows and/or Linux environments.
• Ability to perform API and data validation testing, including REST/SOAP services, with strong SQL skills for data verification
• Ability to implement UI automation and understand web technologies, including tools such as Selenium, Playwright, or similar frameworks (HTML, CSS)
• Ability to work within modern development ecosystems, including CI/CD pipelines, version control systems (e.g., Git/SVN), and cross-platform environments.
• Strong understanding of software testing methodologies, with proven ability in troubleshooting, debugging, AI-assisted development, and independently navigating complex, legacy systems.

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondaryeducationin the area of Computer Science, Engineering,or related field, and/or equivalent combination of education/experience
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in software testing, automation development, or SDET roles required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience designing and implementing automation frameworks in enterprise software environments.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer/laptop.
• This role is based in the Cedar Rapids, IA office, and candidates are required to have the ability to work onsite in our Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based office to support collaboration, system access, and testing needs.
• Ability to travel up to 5% of the time (including domestic and international), sometimes for extended periods, which may involve sitting during transit and walking at various locations.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to handle high utilization of hand and wrist dexterity.

Disclaimers:

• All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.
• Vontas remains and actively participates as an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer.

Worker Type:

Regular

Number of Openings Available:

1

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted. *Professional recruiting agents or consultants need not call.