Lead Automation Quality Engineer (SDET) (Backend-Focused)
Location: Charlotte, NC highly preferred || Need USC or GC only || 1099 only
Assignment type: 6-month contract (potential to extend or convert)
Kindly don’t share Fake/Mismatched/Junk Profiles
Need strong Lead Automation Quality Engineer (SDET) (Backend-Focused) with Python, JavaScript, SQL, RESTful APIs, Microservices, Containerized deployments, S3, Lambda, ECS/Fargate, CloudWatch, CI/CD pipelines Exp. || Nice to Have: SQS, SNS, Step Functions, Data Mocking/Stubbing Frameworks, Playwright/Cypress, Financial Services
Consultant LinkedIn profile must have been created before 2018/2019
Need 8-10+yrs of IT Exp. Profiles
JOB DESCRIPTION
We're building a next-gen financial processing platform modernizing a complex, legacy SQL Server system into cloud-native microservices. We need a hands-on QA automation lead to build and own the automation framework, focusing on backend validation, test data tooling, and end-to-end service integrity.
This is a greenfield QA automation initiative ideal for someone who thrives in a startup-like, build-from-scratch environment. You’ll be the hands-on lead for automation implementation, working closely with the QA Manager to bring the strategy to life. This role is perfect for someone who wants to take ownership of framework development, contribute to defining best practices, and help shape how modern, distributed systems are tested.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead test automation implementation across backend services, APIs, and data pipelines
Design and build a test automation framework (language open, e.g., Python, JavaScript/Node, or C#) for: API/service testing
Data validation between legacy SQL Server and new cloud services
Smoke and regression test orchestration
Develop tools/utilities for test data creation, reset, and snapshot validation
Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines (CodePipeline, Azure DevOps)
Write and maintain automated sanity checks for environment health after data resets or deployments
Collaborate closely with developers, product owners, and functional QA testers on test coverage, environment readiness, and performance validation
Mentor junior QA engineers
QUALIFICATIONS
5-7+ years in QA automation or software engineering in test (SDET), with backend/data-heavy systems
Proficient in Python or JavaScript for building test frameworks/tools
Strong in SQL and data validation – ideally with Microsoft SQL Server
Experience with RESTful APIs, microservices, and containerized deployments
Familiarity with AWS services like S3, Lambda, ECS/Fargate, CloudWatch
Experience integrating with CI/CD pipelines for automated test execution
Clear understanding of TDD/BDD and how to implement those practices in real teams
Comfortable working in fast-paced Agile environments with incomplete information
NICE TO HAVE
Exposure to event-driven architectures (e.g., SQS, SNS, Step Functions)
Familiarity with data mocking/stubbing frameworks
Basic knowledge of UI testing tools like Playwright or Cypress
Previous experience in financial services or regulated data environments