Data Engineering Test Lead

To lead the quality assurance and testing of data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes and reporting solutions, ensuring data is accurate, reliable and fit for business use. The role blends hands-on data/SQL testing with test leadership, UAT coordination and structured stakeholder engagement across Business, SMEs and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Testing & Data Quality

• Define and own the test strategy across SIT, data validation, regression and UAT for data and BI solutions.

• Design and execute data reconciliation, validation and quality checks (source-to-target, row counts, transformation logic, business rules).

• Build repeatable test frameworks and automated data quality checks where possible.

• Manage defect logging, triage, root-cause analysis and resolution tracking.

2. Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and mentor a small team of testers / QA analysts; coordinate testing resources and priorities.

• Plan and coordinate UAT with business users and SMEs - scope, entry/exit criteria, scenarios, execution tracking and business sign-off.

• Manage testing risks, dependencies and readiness for go-live.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage Business, Internal teams and SMEs in a structured, professional manner.

• Define test cases and communicate quality status clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

• Build credibility and a “big picture” business acumen - not just query-writing.

Minimum Requirements

Qualification: Bachelor’s degree/diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 5-8 years in data/QA testing, with 2+ years in a lead/coordination role

Core Technical: Advanced SQL (mandatory), ETL/ELT testing, data warehousing concepts (Kimball/Data Vault)

Testing:

Domain: Short-term insurance / financial services exposure highly advantageous

Cloud / Tooling: Exposure to Azure / AWS / Snowflake, Power BI / Qlik; test/automation tools an advantage

Advantageous / Nice-to-Have

· Guidewire, TIA or similar insurance platform data structures

· Python for test automation / data validation

· Experience in cloud migration or Medallion architecture initiatives

· ISTQB or similar testing certification

Key Strengths (Ideal Candidate)

• Strong SQL and data-testing capability with a quality-first mindset

• Proven test leadership and UAT coordination

• Structured stakeholder engagement and business acumen - commands respect and sees the bigger picture

• Analytical, methodical problem-solver who can bridge business and technology

Location: Cape Town

Engagement Type: Contract