Manager, Deployment and QA

POSITION SUMMARY 

As Manager, Deployment and QA, you will report to the Sr. Director of Engineering and lead a team of Quality Assurance Engineers. In partnership with Product and Engineering Managers, you will define processes, continuous improvement initiatives, and measurements to ensure strength in performance and delivery. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Lead the organization’s effort in defining and implementing cutting-edge quality assurance practices and policies

• Steer the QA function towards modern, automated, and efficient processes that support agile and continuous delivery models, enhancing product reliability and customer satisfaction

• Drive designs of automation software for testing against multiple platforms including mobile, web, and APIs. 

• Design/Architect, develop, and improve CI/CD operations and systems. 

• Technical expert who is comfortable taking hands on approach to the release process

• Develop and manage continuous testing and deployment strategies in an agile framework, ensuring fast and reliable delivery of software

• Establish a clear vision for the QA department, aligning with the company's broader strategic goals and fostering collaboration across geographies

• Lead, motivate, and inspire teams of QA Engineers to ensure the delivery of high-quality innovative products through thoughtful release pipelines, automation testing, and product stewardship.

• Recruit, retain, and develop engineers who build great working relationships, and develop a team that is capable of executing the technology strategy and delivering value to the company.

• Manage and coach direct reports through challenges and personal career growth

• Ensure the team’s success by removing roadblocks, addressing conflicts, and operating as its champion. 

• Assist the Engineering Leadership team on cross-team initiatives such as process improvement, software quality, etc.

• Partner with the Design and Product teams to ensure the delivery of high quality software through the development of test and release plans, as well as automation software. 

• Track, produce, analyze, and action upon key metrics & milestones to ensure quality products are delivered on time.

• Foster a proactive, results-focused technology culture that is responsive to the needs of the business. Create an environment that encourages innovation and receptivity to change. Encourage intelligent risk-taking.

EXPERIENCE  

• BA/BS in Computer Science or closely related degree or equivalent practical experience

• 6+ years experience managing a team strongly preferred

• Experienced at organizing agile software teams to deliver high-quality software

• Demonstrated coding and design proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as JavaScript, Java, Python

• Experience working with common automation testing frameworks such as Cypress, Selenium. 

• Experience testing in multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Web and Services. 

• Experience with cloud services (e.g. AWS)

• Experience with common CI/CD tools and design patterns.

• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes)

• Experience with Performance and Load testing tools. 

• Comfortable working and leading a team remotely

KNOWLEDGE 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• You are able to attract great teammates and high-performing engineers

• You excel at analyzing deep technical problems and coaching teams to the best-balanced solution

• You stay familiar with emerging technologies and best practices; you know the tooling landscape and know how they fit into a modern test automation environment

• You operate with empathy and strive to cultivate a work environment that is both supportive and challenging

• You are passionate about helping engineers develop new skills and advance in their careers

• You possess strong verbal and written communication, collaboration, and documentation skills

• You are a lifelong learner and passionate about learning new things and taking on new challenges

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work autonomously with minimal direction

DESIRED BEHAVIORS 

• Facilitates change - encourages continuous improvement of work practices and processes. Enable the ability to move through change to transform new levels of thinking, understanding, and work practices. 

• Drives execution – engage and enthuse team by cascading company & departmental goals into individual goals. Sets high performance standards, sets clear expectations, facilitate problem solving, provide task clarity and set boundaries. 

• Manage the team – be a steady hand, hold the team accountable, utilize straight talk and take corrective action when required to ensure compliance and fair treatment, provide consistent reward and recognition. 

• Keep the team focused and motivated - facilitate timely decision making, know when to escalate, fail fast, provide timely feedback and regular communication. 

• Technically proficient - know own role thoroughly and possesses a wide field of knowledge, has a solid familiarity with team member’s roles and tasks. 

• Uses the full capabilities of the team – understands team member’s development needs and aspirations, takes these into consideration when assigning tasks and responsibilities. Develop and coach so the team can reach full potential. 

• Over communicates - hosts team communication (1:1`s and team meetings), cascades important and “need to know” information in a timely manner.  

• Involve employees in decision making – encourage communication across the team along with sharing of ideas and proposed solutions.  don’t allow members to operate in isolation, utilize each team member's strengths and skills.   

• Manages collaboratively - Foster teamwork, empower and develop trust with employees to deliver successfully and delegate appropriately.  

• Displays ethical character and competence - Always act with integrity and intent.   

• Is a role model – displays high levels of commitment and energy, role models our values, sets high standards of behavior.  Influence others positively, act as a good citizen of UpKeep.  

At UpKeep, we celebrate and support our differences. We know employing a team rich in diverse thoughts, experiences, and opinions allows our employees, our products, and our community to flourish. UpKeep is honored to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or Veteran status.