QA Test Lead

Role Overview

This is a pivotal, hands-on leadership role responsible for the end-to-end quality assurance function across all stages of the software development lifecycle. The Test Lead will own test strategy, planning, execution, and automation — while also working closely with project teams, business stakeholders, and third-party vendors to deliver high-quality outcomes.

 

The successful candidate will be both a strategic thinker and a practical doer: comfortable drafting test plans and hosting defect calls, while simultaneously driving a long-term automation agenda. This is a key hire for a small, collaborative technology team where your work will have direct, visible impact.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Test Strategy & Planning

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  Define and own the overall test strategy, approach, and framework across all projects.
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  Develop detailed test plans aligned to project timelines, risk profiles, and business priorities.
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  Create and maintain test schedules, ensuring alignment with project delivery milestones.
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  Identify, manage, and mitigate testing risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle.
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  Continuously improve testing processes, methodologies, and documentation standards.

 

Test Execution & Coverage

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  Oversee and actively participate in all stages of testing, including:
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  Unit Testing – working with developers to ensure adequate code-level coverage.
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  System Integration Testing (SIT) – validating end-to-end system interactions, including liaising with 3rd party vendors.
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  User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – coordinating and supporting business users through structured test cycles.
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  Migration & Operational Testing (MOT) – ensuring safe deployment and operational readiness.
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  Create test scenarios, test scripts, test cases, and all supporting test documentation required.
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  Manage test data preparation and maintenance across test environments.
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  Define and maintain regression testing suites for current and future projects.
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  Complete system and functionality walkthroughs and demos with business stakeholders.

 

Test Automation

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  Lead the strategy and implementation of test automation across the team — this is a key goal for the function.
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  Evaluate, select, and implement appropriate automation tools and frameworks.
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  Build and maintain automated regression suites to support continuous delivery.
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  Promote a culture of quality and automation-first thinking across the engineering team.

 

Defect Management

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  Own the end-to-end defect management process, from logging and triage through to resolution and closure.
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  Record and triage defects in the test management tool; ensure they are prioritised appropriately.
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  Host and facilitate regular defect calls with internal development, project, and business teams.
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  Schedule and attend stand-ups and meetings with development and project teams to drive defect resolution.
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  Produce defect metrics and quality reporting to keep stakeholders informed on status and trends.

 

Project & Stakeholder Engagement

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  Contribute actively to project planning, implementation discussions, and delivery governance.
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  Provide input into business requirements, ensuring testability and clarity from the outset.
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  Review and analyse business requirements, design documents, and user stories — flagging ambiguities, gaps, and risks.
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  Collaborate closely with the BA Team and business stakeholders to refine acceptance criteria and test conditions.
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  Liaise with 3rd party vendors on system integration testing and external dependencies.
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  Manage and coordinate business test users through UAT phases, providing guidance and support.
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  Report and track testing progress with the Project Team throughout delivery.
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  Manage contractors within the test team, allocating work and monitoring output effectively.

 

Candidates’ Requirements and Core Competencies

Essential

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  5+ years of experience in software testing, with at least 2 years in a Senior Test Lead or similar capacity.
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  Hands-on experience across multiple testing phases (Unit, SIT, UAT, MOT/regression).
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  Demonstrable experience building or advancing a test automation capability.
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  Experience creating test scenarios, scripts, cases, and supporting documentation.
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  Experience with test management tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Xray, or similar.
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  Strong defect management skills, with experience hosting and facilitating defect triage calls.
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  Understanding of Agile SDLC principles and delivery methodologies.
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  Experience working with 3rd party vendors in a system integration context.
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  Strong analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail.
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  Clear communication skills, both written and verbal — able to engage effectively with technical and business audiences.
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  Highly self-motivated, well organised, and able to manage competing priorities.
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  Flexible and adaptable in a fast-moving, changing environment.
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  Ability to work effectively both in a team and independently.

 

Desirable

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  ISTQB certification (Foundation or higher).
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  Experience in the energy, utilities, or regulated industry sectors.
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  Experience with REST API testing and tools such as Postman, OpenAPI, or similar.
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  Familiarity with automation frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or equivalent.
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  Experience working in or alongside a Business Analyst function.

 

What We Offer

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  A hands-on, varied role with real ownership and influence over quality outcomes at a growing Irish company.
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  The opportunity to build and shape the test automation strategy from the ground up.
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  A collaborative, supportive technology team where your contribution is visible and valued.
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  Hybrid working arrangements.
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  Competitive salary and benefits package.