Lead UI Automation Engineer (Playwright/Selenium)

About the Role

As a Lead UI Automation Engineer, you will make an impact by ensuring the quality, reliability, and scalability of enterprise applications through comprehensive test automation and quality engineering practices. You will be a valued member of the Quality Engineering team and work collaboratively with developers, business stakeholders, product owners, and global delivery teams to deliver high-quality software solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test suites with a strong focus on UI automation using Selenium, Playwright, and BDD frameworks such as Cucumber.
• Create and execute automated tests across web applications, APIs, databases, and backend systems to ensure end-to-end quality coverage.
• Define test strategies by translating business and technical requirements into test scenarios, test data requirements, and risk mitigation plans.
• Lead test planning, execution, defect management, status reporting, and release validation activities across multiple project phases.
• Collaborate with Agile teams to continuously improve automation frameworks, test coverage, and overall software quality practices.

Schedule

This is an onsite position requiring 5 days per week in a client or Cognizant office in Tampa, FL. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may change based on project, business, or client requirements.

Requirements

• 10+ years of strong hands-on experience in Quality Engineering and test automation throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Proven expertise in Selenium and/or Playwright for UI test automation.
• Experience with BDD frameworks such as Cucumber or equivalent test automation frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with API testing, REST service validation, and integration testing.
• Experience with Oracle database testing, SQL validation, and data reconciliation.
• Strong experience with Jira for test management, defect tracking, and Agile delivery support.
• Working knowledge of Git, Jenkins, Bitbucket, and CI/CD practices.
• Experience validating batch processing, end-to-end workflows, and data integrations.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional and global teams.

Skills That Stand Out

• Experience leading QA efforts across distributed onshore and offshore teams.
• Exposure to modern Quality Engineering practices and automation framework development.
• Experience implementing scalable automation solutions using Playwright.
• Strong knowledge of Agile Scrum methodologies and sprint-based delivery models.
• Experience improving test effectiveness, automation coverage, and quality metrics within large enterprise environments.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.