Lead Software Test Engineer

The QA Lead is responsible for defining and driving the test strategy, planning, execution, automation, and overall quality assurance activities for assigned projects.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring strong expertise in software testing, test automation, and modern Quality Engineering practices. The QA Lead will independently create and maintain test artefacts, provide clear quality insights and recommendations to project stakeholders, and take ownership of overall test delivery and release readiness.

The role also has line management responsibility for software test engineers, supporting their performance, career development, mentoring, and technical capability growth.

In addition, the QA Lead will contribute to the continuous development and evolution of the wider testing capability within CACI India, including standards, processes, automation practices, and quality engineering approaches.

The role reports to the Head of Engineering, India, and works closely with the Automation Practice Lead, India, as well as project teams and testing stakeholders across CACI UK and India.

Key Responsibilities

Test Leadership & Delivery

Collaborate with senior stakeholders within the CACI India Testing Practice and project teams across the UK and India to define, maintain, and own the Test Strategy for assigned projects.

Lead and coordinate end-to-end testing activities across functional, integration, system, regression, performance, and user acceptance testing, as appropriate to the project.

Plan and manage testing activities throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring appropriate test coverage, environments, resources, and timelines.

Independently create, review, and maintain high-quality test artefacts, including: 

Test Strategies

Test Plans

Test Scenarios and Test Cases

Test Execution Reports

Test Completion/Closure Reports

Assess and communicate release readiness, providing clear recommendations for go-live based on test coverage, outstanding defects, risks, test completion, and overall quality.

Identify quality risks early and work proactively with delivery teams and stakeholders to define and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

Manage the defect lifecycle, ensuring defects are appropriately prioritised, tracked, communicated, and resolved within agreed timelines.

Provide accurate and timely test status reporting, metrics, quality insights, and recommendations to project and senior stakeholders.

Test Automation & Quality Engineering

Design, develop, maintain, and enhance automated test frameworks and test suites to improve test coverage, quality, reliability, and delivery efficiency.

Identify suitable opportunities for automation and drive the adoption of automated testing across project teams.

Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines to support continuous testing and earlier identification of quality issues.

Promote modern Quality Engineering practices, including shift-left testing, risk-based testing, continuous testing, and appropriate automation strategies.

Contribute to the selection and evaluation of testing tools, frameworks, and approaches where required.

Support the continuous improvement of testing processes, standards, frameworks, and automation capability across CACI India.

People Leadership & Development

Provide line management for software test engineers, supporting workload planning, performance management, career development, onboarding, and capability building.

Mentor and support junior and less experienced testers, helping them develop their technical skills and testing expertise.

Promote consistent testing standards, engineering practices, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional development within the testing community.

Contribute to the development of the wider CACI India testing capability through coaching, knowledge sharing, standards, reusable assets, and communities of practice.

Stakeholder Management

Build effective working relationships with project managers, developers, business analysts, product owners, technical leads, and senior stakeholders.

Communicate complex testing and quality issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Provide constructive challenge where appropriate and ensure quality considerations are incorporated into project planning and delivery decisions.

Represent the testing and Quality Engineering function confidently across CACI UK and India.

Skills & Experience

At least 8 years' experience in software testing, Quality Assurance, or Quality Engineering, including at least 3 years in a Test Lead, QA Lead, or equivalent technical leadership role.

Proven experience independently defining and managing Test Strategies and Test Plans.

Strong experience in designing, executing, and reporting on functional, integration, system, regression, and user acceptance testing.

Strong hands-on experience in test automation, including the development, maintenance, and enhancement of automation frameworks and test suites.

Experience with automation technologies such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, Appium, REST API automation, or equivalent technologies.

Good programming or scripting skills relevant to test automation.

Experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and working within DevOps environments.

Good understanding of Agile delivery methodologies and modern Quality Engineering practices.

Experience with defect management, test metrics, quality reporting, and release readiness assessments.

Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing software testers.

Experience of line management or demonstrable experience leading and developing testing teams.

Strong stakeholder management, communication, analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work effectively across geographically distributed teams, including collaboration with colleagues in the UK and India.

Key Attributes

Self-driven, proactive, and comfortable working with minimal supervision.

Strong ownership and accountability for quality outcomes.

Hands-on technical mindset with a passion for test automation and Quality Engineering.

Able to balance technical delivery with effective people and stakeholder leadership.

Strong mentor who actively supports the development of others.

Collaborative team player who builds effective relationships across engineering and delivery teams.

Committed to continuous improvement and the adoption of effective testing practices.

Able to communicate quality risks and recommendations clearly and confidently.

Committed to delivering high-quality, reliable software solutions.

More about the OpportunityThe Lead Software Test Engineer is an excellent opportunity, and CACI Services India reward their staff well with a competitive salary and impressive benefits package which includes:

• Learning: Budget for conferences, training courses and other materials• Health Benefits: Family plan with 4 children and parents covered• Future You: Matched pension and health care package

We understand the importance of getting to know your colleagues. Company meetings are held every quarter, and a training/work brief weekend is held once a year, amongst many other social events.

CACI is an equal opportunities employer. Therefore, we embrace diversity and are committed to a working environment where no one will be treated less favourably on the grounds of their sex, race, disability, sexual orientation religion, belief or age. We have a Diversity & Inclusion Steering Group and we always welcome new people with fresh perspectives from any background to join the group

An inclusive and equitable environment enables us to draw on expertise and unique experiences and bring out the best in each other.  We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and we are supportive of Veterans and people from a military background. We believe that by embracing diverse experiences and backgrounds, we can collaborate to create better outcomes for our people, our customers and our society.