Lead QA Engineer Test Automation

Lead QA Engineer Test Automation (Hybrid, North York Toronto, Canada) Contract-to-Hire | Initial Duration: 3 to 6 Months About the Role: We are seeking an experienced Lead QA Engineer (Test Automation) to join our Fortune 500 client's Team in North York, Toronto. This hybrid, contract-to-hire position is ideal for someone who combines technical depth in automation testing with strong leadership and mentoring skills. The successful candidate will lead quality assurance initiatives across large-scale web and mobile retail applications, driving automation strategy, implementing scalable frameworks, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, fault-tolerant software solutions. You will thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment, collaborating with developers, product owners, and other stakeholders to continually test, refine, and deploy innovative retail solutions. Key Responsibilities: Lead end-to-end QA strategy and execution for large-scale applications in a hybrid agile environment.Drive test automation initiatives using open-source tools and frameworks within a Java, BDD (Cucumber), and TestNG environment.Design, implement, and maintain robust automation frameworks using the Page Object Model (POM) pattern to ensure scalability and maintainability.Create, optimize, and execute test scripts across frontend, middleware, and backend layers using XPath, CSS Selectors, and related UI automation techniques.Conduct both manual and automated testing, ensuring full coverage across all business-critical scenarios.Plan, manage, and deliver QA milestones, ensuring timely and high-quality software releases.Lead and mentor QA engineers,  fostering collaboration, ownership, and continuous learning within the team.Collaborate closely with development, DevOps, and product teams to ensure seamless CI/CD integration and continuous testing.Continuously improve QA processes, recommend new tools, and drive automation-first best practices.Troubleshoot, analyze, and communicate critical defects, risks, and test progress to leadership to ensure timely resolution.Support continuous integration and process innovation to improve delivery efficiency and product quality. Required Skills & Experience: 7+ years of experience in Software Quality Assurance, including 3+ years in a lead or senior automation role.Strong hands-on experience with Java, BDD (Cucumber), Selenium/WebDriver, and TestNG.Solid expertise in Page Object Model (POM) design patterns for building reusable automation frameworks.Deep understanding of XPath, CSS Selectors, and advanced web UI automation concepts.Proven experience with frontend and backend testing, ideally for retail store applications or enterprise-scale systems.Familiarity with API testing (REST Assured, Postman, or similar).Experience integrating automation with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps).Thorough understanding of QA methodologies, SDLC, and defect management processes.Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage priorities, and deliver results under tight deadlines.Excellent analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Nice to Have: Experience in Performance Testing or Mobile Automation Testing.Exposure to cloud testing environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP).Prior experience in retail, POS, or enterprise application environments. Work Model: Hybrid: Onsite presence required in North York, Toronto (approx. 2-3 days onsite per week, rest remote).Contract Duration: 3 to 6 months, with potential to convert to full-time employment based on performance. Why Join: Lead a high-impact QA function for a global retail technology initiative.Work with cutting-edge tools and modern frameworks in a collaborative, agile environment.Opportunity for long-term career growth through full-time conversion and leadership advancement.