Principal Software Quality Specialist

The Role

This role drives technical software quality and engineering excellence across the product lifecycle. You will ensure quality is built into development through modern engineering practices, defect prevention, and data-driven insights—all within an Agile/SAFe delivery model.

Your Impact

Technical Quality Engineering Leadership

• Define and drive modern quality engineering practices across the SDLC, including shift-left testing, test automation, and continuous validation.
• Partner with engineering teams to improve unit, integration, API, and end-to-end test coverage.
• Establish scalable strategies for test automation frameworks, CI/CD quality gates, and release validation.
• Ensure strong alignment between architecture, test strategy, and quality outcomes.
• Promote best practices in code quality, testability, observability, and resiliency.
• Drive adoption of quality engineering standards across distributed teams.

Quality Embedded in Agile / SAFe Delivery

• Ensure quality practices are fully integrated into Agile and SAFe workflows, including backlog refinement, sprint execution, and PI planning.
• Embed quality criteria into user stories, acceptance criteria, and Definition of Done.
• Align quality priorities with business value, customer impact, and delivery commitments.
• Enable teams to apply risk-based testing and validation within fast-paced Agile cycles.
• Support consistent application of quality standards across ARTs without slowing delivery velocity.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify bottlenecks in development and testing workflows and implement lean, high impact improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement cycles using retrospectives and Inspect & Adapt forums.
• Improve flow efficiency, cycle time, and release predictability without compromising quality rigor.

Change Leadership & Quality Culture

• Champion a quality-first engineering mindset across teams.
• Lead adoption of modern quality practices through coaching, training, and influence.
• Collaborate across Product, Engineering, and Leadership to align quality with business outcomes.
• Build a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant technical field.
• 8–10+ years in Software Quality, Quality Engineering, or SDET leadership roles.
• Experience working in Agile/SAFe environments (ART-level preferred).
• Strong hands-on experience in test automation frameworks and strategies, and CI/CD pipelines and quality gates.
• Proven ability to drive engineering-led quality improvements at scale.
• Deep understanding of SDLC, modern QA practices, and risk-based testing.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, or equivalent toolsets.
• Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• SAFe experience or certification.
• Familiarity with observability or monitoring tools.
• Exposure to AI-driven quality engineering.
• Working knowledge of ISO/QMS.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $109,600.00 - $137,000.00. This role is also eligible for bonus or variable incentive pay.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Charitable giveback day
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• Retirement benefits