Role: Senior Automation Architect / Lead – Java, Python, Playwright, Selenium
Location: Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Job Type: Full-Time / Contract
Experience Level: Senior / Lead
About the Role
We are looking for a highly skilled Automation Architect / Lead to join our QA engineering team in Chicago. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an experienced automation engineer who can design, build, and evolve scalable test automation frameworks while actively contributing to testing and quality engineering.
The ideal candidate is a strong hands-on programmer with deep expertise in Java and/or Python, Playwright, and Selenium, along with proven experience designing automation frameworks from the ground up.
You will work on an application focused on the tokenization and management of carbon offsets, contributing to the quality, reliability, and scalability of a technology platform supporting an emerging area of digital assets and sustainability.
What You'll Do
- Design, architect, develop, and maintain scalable test automation frameworks.
- Build reusable and maintainable automation scripts using Java and/or Python.
- Develop and execute automated tests using Playwright and Selenium.
- Perform UI and API automation testing across application components and services.
- Participate in both manual and automated testing as required throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Analyze requirements, identify test scenarios, and develop comprehensive test strategies.
- Execute automated and manual test suites and report test results, defects, risks, and quality metrics.
- Integrate automation into the overall QA/test automation framework and CI/CD processes.
- Troubleshoot test failures, investigate defects, and perform detailed root-cause analysis.
- Continuously improve test coverage, automation efficiency, framework scalability, and overall quality engineering practices.
- Participate actively in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
- Maintain test execution statistics, quality metrics, and status reports in accordance with established processes.
- Collaborate closely with developers, QA engineers, product teams, and global technology teams.
- Communicate technical solutions, testing strategies, risks, and results effectively to senior leadership and C-level stakeholders.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other QA and automation engineers.
What We're Looking For
Must-Have Skills & Experience
- Strong hands-on programming experience in Java and/or Python.
- Expert-level experience with Playwright and Selenium.
- Proven experience building test automation frameworks from scratch.
- Strong understanding of automation framework architecture, design patterns, coding standards, and best practices.
- Extensive experience developing reusable, scalable, and maintainable automation scripts.
- Strong experience with both UI automation and API testing.
- Excellent debugging, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Experience working with modern software development and QA methodologies.
- Hands-on experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
- Strong understanding of the complete Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a genuine Senior Automation Engineer / Automation Architect who is comfortable writing code, designing frameworks, solving complex automation challenges, and taking ownership of quality engineering initiatives.
This role is not primarily a manual testing position. The successful candidate will spend significant time designing, developing, executing, debugging, and enhancing automated tests and frameworks.
You will thrive in this role if you:
- Enjoy solving complex automation and engineering problems.
- Have a strong software engineering mindset.
- Can independently architect automation solutions.
- Take ownership of quality and automation strategy.
- Are comfortable working hands-on while also providing technical leadership.
- Can effectively communicate with engineers, product teams, managers, and senior executives.
- Enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative Agile environment.
Why Join This Opportunity?
- Work on an innovative technology platform involving carbon offset tokenization and digital assets.
- Take ownership of automation architecture and quality engineering strategy.
- Work with modern automation technologies including Playwright, Selenium, Java, and Python.
- Opportunity to influence automation standards, frameworks, and best practices.
- Collaborate with talented engineering and QA teams in a global environment.
- Play a key role in improving the quality, reliability, and scalability of a high-impact application.
Apply Now
If you're a hands-on Automation Architect, Senior SDET, or Lead Automation Engineer with strong Java/Python programming skills and deep expertise in Playwright, Selenium, UI/API automation, and framework architecture, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and take the lead in building the next generation of scalable test automation.