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Lead Software Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cox Automotive

Lead Software Test Engineer

Berwyn, PA

$122K - $204K/yr

The Lead Software Test Engineer applies advanced knowledge of testing principles, methodologies, and techniques to ensure the quality and reliability of complex, distributed software platforms.

Cox Automotive

Lead Software Test Engineer

Paoli, PA

$122K - $204K/yr

The Lead Software Test Engineer applies advanced knowledge of testing principles, methodologies, and techniques to ensure the quality and reliability of complex, distributed software platforms.

Cox Automotive

Lead Software Test Engineer

Audubon, PA

$122K - $204K/yr

The Lead Software Test Engineer applies advanced knowledge of testing principles, methodologies, and techniques to ensure the quality and reliability of complex, distributed software platforms.

Cox Automotive

Lead Software Test Engineer

Austin, TX

$122K - $204K/yr

The Lead Software Test Engineer applies advanced knowledge of testing principles, methodologies, and techniques to ensure the quality and reliability of complex, distributed software platforms.

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How much do lead software test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead software test engineer in the United States is $125,264.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,000.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Software Test Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Software Test Engineer, you need strong expertise in software testing methodologies, test planning, and quality assurance, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automation frameworks (like Selenium or Appium), bug tracking systems, and certifications such as ISTQB are commonly expected. Outstanding leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you coordinate teams and collaborate with developers. These skills ensure robust software quality and the efficient delivery of reliable products in complex development environments.

What does a Lead Software Test Engineer do?

A Lead Software Test Engineer is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of software testing processes within a project or organization. They lead a team of testers, design test strategies, develop test plans, and ensure that software products meet quality standards before release. Additionally, they collaborate with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to identify and resolve defects, implement automation frameworks, and continuously improve testing methodologies. Their role is crucial in ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of software applications.

What is the difference between Lead Software Test Engineer vs Software Test Engineer?

AspectLead Software Test EngineerSoftware Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related, often with ISTQB or similar certificationsBachelor's in CS or related, certifications optional
Work EnvironmentLeads testing teams, designs test strategies, coordinates testing effortsExecutes test cases, reports bugs, performs manual and automated testing
Industry UsageUsed across software development companies, especially in larger teamsCommon in various tech companies, startups, and software firms

The main difference is that Lead Software Test Engineers oversee testing teams and strategies, while Software Test Engineers focus on executing tests and identifying bugs. The lead role involves more coordination and planning, whereas the test engineer role is more hands-on with testing activities.

How does a Lead Software Test Engineer typically collaborate with development and product teams during a project lifecycle?

A Lead Software Test Engineer works closely with development and product teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure quality standards are met. This collaboration often involves participating in requirement reviews, clarifying acceptance criteria, and providing feedback on testability. They coordinate regular meetings to discuss progress, identify potential bottlenecks, and adjust testing strategies as needed. By fostering open communication and aligning testing efforts with business priorities, they help streamline releases and improve overall product quality.
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Lead Software Test Engineer jobs near you
Lead Software Test Engineer

Lead Software Test Engineer

Cox Automotive

Berwyn, PA

$122K - $204K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Cox Automotive rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

90th of 138 rated financial services

Job description

Job Description:
The Lead Software Test Engineer applies advanced knowledge of testing principles, methodologies, and techniques to ensure the quality and reliability of complex, distributed software platforms. Serving as an influential participant in design reviews, this role develops and executes functional, integration, system, load, and performance tests; defines system-wide standards for test automation; and coordinates cross-organizational UAT environments in partnership with integrating teams. This role applies effective influence and collaboration-without formal management authority-across Engineering, Product, Architecture, and SRE to embed quality throughout the software delivery lifecycle.
The Lead STE takes the lead on difficult defect detection and troubleshooting, predicts and documents potential risks and constraints, and leverages AI tooling to drive consistency in test automation across the engineering organization. As engineering teams increasingly rely on AI-generated code, the Lead STE serves as a thought leader in evolving quality practices to meet this shift - defining how TDD requirements, code complexity standards, and test coverage thresholds are embedded directly into AI coding agent configurations, ensuring quality is enforced at the point of generation rather than discovered after the fact.
Primary Duties and Key Responsibilities:
  • Governs system-level test case libraries end-to-end: sets coverage standards, identifies gaps, and drives closure with engineering and product teams.
  • Defines technical standards and reference implementations for test automation at the API, integration, and system end-to-end layers.
  • Coordinates with integrating customers to establish and maintain cross-organization test cases and automation in UAT network of environments.
  • Identifies teams with test coverage or automation gaps and embeds to lead remediation - coaching on patterns, driving script development, and verifying quality gate criteria are met before release.
  • Drives adoption of quality standards within AI agent configurations across engineering teams, ensuring TDD practices, code complexity standards, and test coverage requirements are codified in team project files rather than applied as post-generation checks. Defines system-wide scenarios for load, stress and soak testing.
  • Designs and operates shared test execution infrastructure that enables functional and non-functional test suites to run consistently across CI/CD pipelines, scheduled cadences, and multiple environments - reducing manual effort and accelerating quality feedback loops.
  • Partners with SRE to design Game Day scenarios that validate system resilience under failure conditions, translating reliability risks and SLO targets into executable test cases.

Required Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 6 years of experience in a related field, or equivalent combinations such as a master's degree and up to 4 years of experience, or 10 years of experience with no degree.
  • Hands-on experience developing test automation with modern frameworks such as Playwright, RestSharp, Pact.NET, and xUnit.
  • Hands-on experience creating performance test automation with tools such as JMeter or k6.
  • Experience with test management and orchestration (test reporting frameworks, TestContainers, etc.).
  • Reviews product requirements and system designs with a testability lens, contributing test strategy input during architecture reviews and driving implementation patterns that support maintainable, scalable automation.
  • Skilled at building partnership with Product, Architecture, and Engineering teams both inside and outside of the organization.
  • Remains current on test automation tooling and methodologies, recommending and driving adoption of advanced approaches that measurably improve coverage, defect detection, or CI/CD feedback cycle times.
  • Demonstrated experience working with AI coding tools (such as Claude, GitHub Copilot, or equivalent) and the ability to define and implement quality guardrails within agent configurations, constitutions, or briefings

USD 122,700.00 - 204,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $122,700.00 - $204,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
EOE, including disability/vets

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About Cox Automotive

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Cox Automotive, people of every background are driven by their passion for mobility, innovation and community. We transform the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars, accelerating the industry with global powerhouse brands like Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim and more. What's more, we do it all with an emphasis on employee growth and happiness. Drive your future forward and join Cox Automotive today! Cox empowers employees to build a better future and has been doing so for over 120 years. With exciting investments and innovations across transportation, communications, cleantech and healthcare, our family of businesses - which includes Cox Automotive and Cox Communications - is forging a better future for us all. Ready to make your mark? Join us today! Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page . Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual's age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Statement to ALL Third-Party Agencies and Similar Organizations: Cox accepts resumes only from agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Cox employees, Cox hiring manager, or send to any Cox facility. Cox is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.

Industry

Automobile dealers and technology, communication and media

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Atlanta, GA, US

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