Test Lead (#561)

We are seeking an experienced Senior Test Lead / QA Test Manager with 7+ years of software quality assurance expertise to drive end-to-end testing activities for complex IT projects. In this role, you will participate in IT initiative planning, define comprehensive test strategies, oversee test case creation with full traceability, lead execution, and communicate clear QA insights and metrics to key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Test Project Planning & Management

• Participate in early IT project planning initiatives to estimate testing effort, define scope, and align QA timelines with project delivery goals.

• Develop Master Test Plans (MTP) and manage end-to-end test projects to properly support business and technical deliverables.

• Continuously monitor QA progress, manage project risks, and escalate critical issues or blockers to senior management.

2. Test Strategy & Architectural Design

• Define, establish, and review comprehensive test strategies tailored for complex, multi-tiered systems across both Agile and Waterfall environments.

• Establish clear quality gates, exit/entry criteria, and risk-mitigation strategies across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

3. Test Design & Coverage Assurance

• Lead and oversee the design of detailed manual test scenarios and test cases directly derived from business and functional requirements.

• Maintain complete test coverage by establishing and managing a robust Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM).

4. Test Execution, Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and perform hands-on test execution when required, ensuring defects are properly logged, tracked, and retested.

• Prepare, analyze, and present real-time test reports, execution metrics, and QA dashboards to project managers, business sponsors, and key stakeholders.
   

Qualifications & Required Skills

Experience & Education

• Experience: 7+ years of hands-on experience in software development, software testing, or Quality Assurance leadership roles.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, or equivalent practical work experience.

Technical & Domain Skills

• SDLC Methodologies: Strong practical knowledge of modern SDLC practices, including Agile (Scrum/Kanban) and Waterfall frameworks.

• Test Management: Proven track record in creating Master Test Plans (MTP), risk management, and defining enterprise-level Test Strategies.

• Requirements Traceability: Hands-on experience mapping functional/technical specifications to test cases via an RTM.

Language & Communication

• Languages: Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (written and spoken) to collaborate effectively across regional and global teams.

• Communication: Ability to clearly explain complex technical risks and test outcomes to both technical teams and non-technical executive stakeholders.

Desirable / Preferred Qualifications

• ISTQB Certifications: ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), ISTQB Agile Tester, or ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM).

• Familiarity with test management and bug-tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Xray, Zephyr, TestRail).