Lead Automation Test Manager

Automation Testers construct automated tests which confirm that systems and services function appropriately, and they validate the environment in which these things operate to make sure test results are valid. A senior, hands-on technical leadership role responsible for establishing and leading sustainable test automation and quality engineering capability across DAE. The role combines Services Australia EL1 Test Manager expectations with deep automation engineering expertise, strategic direction, governance, stakeholder influence and capability uplift. Key duties and responsibilities Duties may include some or all of the following Define and lead the test automation strategy, roadmap, architecture, standards and governance across DAE projects. Provide hands-on technical leadership for scalable automation frameworks, reusable libraries and API, integration, UI, system and end-to-end automated suites. Establish risk-based quality engineering approaches, acceptance criteria, traceability, reporting and evidence requirements. Lead automated testing integration into CI/CD and release processes, including secure source control and actionable quality gates. Lead test data and environment automation, including synthetic or masked data and compliance with security, privacy and data-handling obligations. Use incidents, defects, failure patterns and production risks to prioritise regression coverage and systemic quality improvements. Define and report measures for automation reliability, maintainability, coverage, defect leakage, release confidence, time saved and risk reduction. Provide authoritative advice on tool selection, automation suitability, architecture, maintainability and technical risk. Lead, coach and mentor APS and contractor staff, conduct code and design reviews and ensure sustainable knowledge transfer. Influence senior stakeholders and delivery teams, resolve competing priorities and promote consistent quality engineering practices across streams. Exercise EL1-level judgement and accountability for quality outcomes, risks, dependencies and escalations in complex environments. Knowledge/Qualfications Relevant tertiary qualification, industry certification or equivalent extensive experience in software engineering, testing, quality engineering or technical delivery. ISTQB Advanced, relevant automation or DevOps certifications are desirable. Strong knowledge of enterprise testing, secure software delivery, CI/CD, architecture, test data management and operational risk is expected. The role must demonstrate EL1 ILS behaviours through strategic leadership, delivery of results, productive relationships, personal drive and integrity, and communication with influence. Technical skills Deep, current experience establishing and leading test automation or quality engineering capability in complex enterprise environments. Strong hands-on software engineering capability and experience designing scalable, maintainable automation architectures and frameworks. Expertise in API, integration, UI and end-to-end automation; CI/CD integration; source control; quality gates; test reporting; and test data and environment automation. Ability to define automation strategy, governance, standards, patterns, measures and roadmaps and translate them into practical implementation. Advanced test strategy, risk-based testing, non-functional testing, defect management and root cause analysis capability. Demonstrated technical leadership, coaching, mentoring, code and design review, capability uplift and knowledge transfer. Strong stakeholder influence and communication, including explaining technical quality and operational risk to senior and non-technical audiences. Ability to lead continuous improvement and deliver measurable efficiency, quality, reliability or risk-reduction outcomes. Criteria The buyer has specified that each candidate must provide a one page pitch to address all criteria specified. This is equal to 5000 characters. Essential criteria 1. Demonstrated experience establishing and leading enterprise or program-level test automation and quality engineering capability, including strategy, architecture, standards, governance, frameworks, CI/CD integration, test data and environment automation, measures and risk-based quality gates. 2. Demonstrated EL1-level technical leadership through hands-on automation engineering, strategic direction, delivery of measurable quality or efficiency outcomes, management of complex risks and dependencies, stakeholder influence, coaching, mentoring and sustainable capability uplift. Desirable criteria 1. Experience leading automation across complex legacy and modern platforms, including API, integration, user interface, system and end-to-end testing. 2. Experience using incidents, defect trends, production risks and operational data to prioritise automation investment and regression coverage. 3. Relevant advanced testing, software engineering, DevOps or quality engineering qualifications or certifications. 4. Experience establishing quality metrics and reporting for automation reliability, maintainability, coverage, defect leakage, release confidence, time saved and risk reduction. Opportunity summary Sellers can submit Up to 3 candidates Number of sellers invited Between 5 and 10 Number of candidates submitted Fewer than 10 RFQ closing time 01 Weeks 06 Days 12 Hours Send us feedback About Accessibility Privacy Terms of use Disclaimer and copyright An initiative of the Digital Transformation Agency The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia