QA Lead Automation w/ Playwright & Agentic AI, Lynchburg, Virginia, United States

About the role

As a QA Lead Automation with Playwright and Agentic AI, you will make an impact by driving quality engineering excellence through Agentic AI, automation, API testing, performance testing, and team leadership. You will be a valued member of the QA organization supporting Pacific Life and will work collaboratively with client stakeholders, development teams, and offshore/onshore QA teams to deliver high-quality software solutions. Based on the provided job requirements and the boilerplate template structure.

In this role, you will:

Leverage Agentic AI approaches and AI tools to enhance Quality Assurance outcomes by improving test coverage, accelerating test planning and execution, and optimizing defect management.
Create, maintain, and enhance the Playwright automation framework while identifying and prioritizing opportunities for automation.
Build and maintain API automation suites using Rest Assured for critical services and ensure integration with CI/CD pipelines.
Debug test failures and collaborate with development teams to resolve API contract and integration issues.
Lead and manage offshore and onsite QA teams by assigning tasks, tracking progress, and removing delivery roadblocks.
Conduct daily standups, status reviews, and stakeholder communications to ensure alignment on priorities and timelines.
Review user stories, automation scripts, testing tools, and team deliverables to ensure quality standards are met.
Support application performance testing and monitoring activities using tools such as JMeter and AppDynamics.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

What you need to have to be considered

8+ years of experience in Software Quality Assurance, including 2+ years leading or mentoring QA teams, preferably across offshore/distributed environments.
Strong hands-on experience leveraging Agentic AI technologies and AI-driven approaches within Quality Assurance processes.
Demonstrated success in delivering cost savings and operational efficiencies through AI-led initiatives.
Extensive hands-on experience in automation testing, functional testing, test management, and quality engineering best practices.
Strong experience building and maintaining automation frameworks using Playwright.
Experience creating and maintaining API automation suites using Rest Assured and integrating automated testing within CI/CD pipelines.
Excellent client-facing communication skills with the ability to lead status discussions, present QA metrics, and manage stakeholder expectations.
Proven experience coordinating onsite and offshore teams across multiple time zones, including task delegation, progress monitoring, and issue resolution.

These will help you stand out

Experience with application performance testing using JMeter.
Experience monitoring application performance using AppDynamics.
Strong understanding of quality engineering metrics, test coverage analysis, and continuous improvement practices.
Experience reviewing automation architecture, user stories, and testing artifacts for quality and compliance.
Ability to drive quality transformation initiatives using emerging AI technologies.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Applications will be accepted until 8/20/2026.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $70,000p.a. - $110,000 p.a. depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans. Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

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

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

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About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.