QA Test Lead: NiSource

Title : QA Test Lead

Location : onsite 2-3 days per week in Columbus, Ohio.

Duration : 6 Months

Visa : USC and GC

Interview : Phone / Zoom

Job Type : C2C

Qualifications :

• Experience Leading a team
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems or Computer Science required, or equivalent experience
• 5 to 7 years of in-depth knowledge and experience in project work, process management, and quality assurance
• Extensive knowledge and experience with Testing Tools : ALM and Jira
• Knowledge and experience of Performance Testing : ALM Performance Center
• Knowledge and experience of Automation Testing : UFT, Gherkin, Ruby, Jenkins, Cucumber
• Knowledge and experience with SQL coding
• Proven track record of leading strategic projects or the test function combined with the ability to execute at tactical project-level activities and tasks
• Demonstrable experience as a change agent having effectively implemented change in large cross functional organization
• Experience working with distributed teams
• Strong written and communication skills
• Ability to work with ambiguity
• Self-motivated, driven individual who is comfortable working in a global, matrixed, fast-paced environment
• Deep understanding of quality assurance and testing practices within the SDLC
• Brings an awareness of current market trends around tools and best practices
• Waterfall and Agile

Responsibilities :

The Applications Test Lead is accountable for the testing work related to applications in a particular functional domain (for instance, Customer, Transmission and Distribution, Corporate applications, or a particular technology stack), and is a key member of project and program teams, where either Waterfall and Agile methodologies are used. The Applications Test Lead will have a thorough knowledge of testing and quality assurance tools and methodologies, as well as all phases of the systems development life cycle. He / she will have experience in using automation tools and utilities. The responsibilities of this role include facilitating the creation of test plans across the functional and technical teams, facilitating the development of the test scenarios and test scripts, setting up and organizing the technical capabilities, the processes and the people to conduct manual testing and or utilization of automation tools. Maintaining the test scripts with a focus on creation of reusable scripts, and tracking quality assurance metrics that meet or exceed the PMO requirements will be important activities for the test lead.

In addition to the skills required for a test lead working in a traditional waterfall project, a test lead or engineer in an Agile team should be competent in test automation, test-driven development, acceptance test-driven development, white-box, black-box, and experience-based testing.

Job Summary

The Applications Test Lead is accountable for the testing work related to applications in a particular functional domain (for instance, Customer, Transmission and Distribution, Corporate applications, or a particular technology stack), and is a key member of project and program teams, where either Waterfall and Agile methodologies are used. The Applications Test Lead will have a thorough knowledge of testing and quality assurance tools and methodologies, as well as all phases of the systems development life cycle. He / she will have experience in using automation tools and utilities. The responsibilities of this role include facilitating the creation of test plans across the functional and technical teams, facilitating the development of the test scenarios and test scripts, setting up and organizing the technical capabilities, the processes and the people to conduct manual testing and or utilization of automation tools. Maintaining the test scripts with a focus on creation of reusable scripts, and tracking quality assurance metrics that meet or exceed the PMO requirements will be important activities for the test lead.

In addition to the skills required for a test lead working in a traditional waterfall project, a test lead or engineer in an Agile team should be competent in test automation, test-driven development, acceptance test-driven development, white-box, black-box, and experience-based testing.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures testing processes are in alignment with NiSource PMO methodology and standards

Brings an awareness of current market trends around tools and best practices

Has an understanding of the NiSource QA framework and implements QA templates effectively

Helps others to gain an understanding of the QA framework.

Sets forth testing best practices and ensures each tester is following best testing practices according to the NiSource QA Framework

Determines staffing requirements for test planning and execution

Works with business leads to understand the end to end business process & identify test scenarios

Reviews and understands project specific requirements

Ensures proper traceability between test scripts and requirements

Reviews test scripts for accuracy and completeness

Identifies required data for thorough testing across all levels of testing needed

Responsible for providing daily program level testing metrics & reporting

Responsible for conducting daily standup with testers

Conducts weekly program level status report / status meeting

Completes / Updates Test Approach

Completes / Updates any PMM (Project Management Methodology) required documentation

Train Testers to ensure users know how to execute Tests and log Defects

Creates a daily Test Plan during all Testing phases

Creates and maintains program level planning tracking towards completion

Serves as the point of escalation for any and all Testing related issues

Facilitates remediation / mitigation of identified risks / issues

Facilitates program level progression of Testing in all phases of Testing

Responsible for program level quality of Testing activities and Testing results

Runs daily audit report to ensure compliance with audit

Tracks completion status for each cycle of Testing and ensure Test Plans are complete and accurate

Defines scope of Testing for each release

Defines and tracks completion of items on Exit Criteria checklist for weekly review with program leads

Understands requirements enough to be able to determine accurate priority and severity of Defects

Sets forth and adheres to Defect standards

Sends daily Defect aging report and follows up on Defects that are past SLA

Facilitates daily Defect triage meetings

Works with Deployment Lead to ensure all checklist items are accounted for

Identifies areas of process improvements and implements improvement measures with buy-in from Program Leads

Works with OCM & training leads for anything Testing related

Coaches and mentors junior test team members

Adheres to administrative processes and deadlines

Other duties, as required

Comments / Special Instructions

Application Test Lead

Workday learning, or Workday implementation or experience would be a bonus