.Quality EngineerMust work east coast timezoneAutomation is a nice to have, not a mustESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSDevelops and implements strategic plans, policies, and procedures for quality assurance activities within the IT department, aligning them with organizational goals and industry best practices.Maintains QA standards, methodologies, and metrics to measure and monitor the quality of software products and systems throughout the development lifecycle.Collaborates with project managers, business analysts, and developers to define project requirements, acceptance criteria, and quality objectives, and ensure their integration into the QA process.Oversees the design, implementation, and execution of comprehensive test plans, test cases, and test scripts to validate software functionality, performance, and reliability.Drives the adoption of automation testing tools and frameworks to streamline testing efforts, improve test coverage, and accelerate the delivery of high-quality software.Establishes and maintains effective communication channels with internal and external stakeholders, providing regular updates on QA activities, test results, and quality metrics.Identifies and prioritizes areas for process improvement, efficiency gains, and risk mitigation within the QA function, and implements initiatives to drive continuous improvement and innovation.Sets quality standards and ensures compliance by performing audits and tests.Conducts regular quality reviews, audits, and assessments to ensure compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.Participates in the selection, implementation, and maintenance of QA tools, technologies, and resources to support the QA function and enhance productivity and effectiveness.Prevents defects and improves the overall performance and user experience of the software.Creates test plans, works closely with other quality control teams and technical experts.Initiates corrective measures to address quality issues and improve processes.Implements metrics and reporting tools to measure quality performance and identify improvement opportunities.Provides training and support to the team on quality assurance best practices.Stays up to date with emerging technologies and quality assurance best practices.OTHER RESPONSIBILITIESMay perform any additional responsibilities or special projects as required.May provide cross-functional support as business needs demand.Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change based upon the needs of the department.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTSBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.3-5 years of experience in software quality assurance, with at least 3+ years in a QA lead role.Proven track record of successfully leading and managing QA teams, implementing QA strategies, and delivering high-quality software products and systems