Lead Software Engineer

We're seeking an experienced lead developer with strong Java development and test lead skills to drive our testing automation strategy across FINRA's enterprise applications. This hands-on role (approximately 40% QA strategy/leadership, 50% automation and test case development, 10% code reviews) combines quality leadership with advanced technical capabilities to champion best practices, implement automation frameworks, and influence stakeholders at all levels. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience with test automation tools and a passion for building quality into our diverse application portfolio, including Workday HCM and Finance systems. Description:   This position supports multiple Corporate Systems application teams across FINRA's enterprise, working with a diverse portfolio including SaaS, COTS, and custom-built software. The successful candidate will provide both direct hands-on support and influence-based leadership to 10+ analysts and developers across multiple peer teams, requiring strong communication skills to drive outcomes and champion quality practices. Key technical requirements include advanced hands-on development capabilities, deep quality assurance practice knowledge, and the ability to understand application architectures to assess risk, set strategy, and communicate priorities effectively .   Responsibilities :   Define, implement, and evolve test automation strategy across multiple application teams .   Lead Workday test automation and tool evaluation for HCM and Finance functional areas .   Develop and maintain automated test cases and frameworks for both custom-built applications and Workday systems .   Mentor engineers and developers on testing best practices .   Collaborate with application teams to integrate quality practices throughout the development lifecycle .   Establish and track quality metrics, presenting findings to executive leadership .   Drive cultural change around quality practices and shift-left testing adoption . Software QA experience as well as being in a lead capacity role setting testing direction and mentoring others .   Deep, hands-on expertise designing, building, and maintaining test automation frameworks using tools ( such as Playwright, Cucumber, or Selenium ) .   Strong coding skills (Java preferred) with ability to develop, review , and maintain automation code .   Experience defining and implementing comprehensive test strategies covering functional, integration, regression, and performance testing , including test data management and shift-left testing practices .   Strong communicat ion and influence skills to champion quality practices and drive outcomes across multiple teams and stakeholders, up to senior leadership .   Software QA experience with experience as well in a lead capacity role setting testing direction and mentoring others .   Deep, hands-on expertise designing, building, and maintaining test automation frameworks using tools ( such as Playwright, Cucumber, or Selenium ) .   Strong coding skills (Java preferred) with ability to develop, review , and maintain automation code .   Experience defining and implementing comprehensive test strategies covering functional, integration, regression, and performance testing , including test data management and shift-left testing practices .   Workday testing experience across HCM and/or Finance functional areas (Kainos Smart Test or Opkey)   Experience building test automation / frameworks and test data management for closed SaaS ecosystems .   Experience with AWS and CI/CD pipelines for test automation (Jenkins and GitLab) .   Education/Experience Requirements:  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related discipline with at least 7 years of related experience, or equivalent training and/or work experience. Strong system design experience Strong experience in object-oriented development Strong experience with cloud technologies Strong experience in data storage technologies Strong experience in performance tuning and optimization Strong experience in DevOps and CI\CD technologies Strong experience test automation and unit testing Strong experience software security Working Conditions: Hybrid work environment, with defined in-person presence requirements. Occasional travel and extended hours may be required. For work that is performed in CO, FL, TX, IL, PA, MA, MD, VA, Washington, DC, NY and NJ, please refer to the chart below for the salary range for the corresponding location. FINRA complies with all state and local pay transparency laws and regulations requiring the disclosure of salary ranges for the position. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.  CO/FL/TX: Minimum Salary $114,200, Maximum Salary $207,200 IL/PA: Minimum Salary $125,900, Maximum Salary $228,000 MA/MD/VA/Washington, DC: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $238,300 NY/NJ: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $248,700 #LI-Hybrid To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required. Please note: If the “Apply Now” button on a job board posting does not take you directly to the FINRA Careers site, enter www.finra.org/careers into your browser to reach our site directly. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Non-exempt employees are also eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal, state, or local law. As part of its dedication to employee wellness, FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insura