Senior QA Engineer- Freelance

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Senior QA Engineer- Freelance

Location: Hybrid - New York

Type of position: Freelance

Division / Technology

Reports to: Head of QA

About VML

VML is the world's largest creative agency. We combine brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands and drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Nestle, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's among others. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, which named WPP as a "Leader" in Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. As the world's most advanced creative company, VML's global network is powered by over 30,000 talented people across 60-plus markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, London, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney to name just a few.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITY

The Senior QA Engineer identifies and applies the quality standards and serves as the quality for all new releases, software updates and automation liaison with customers. They regularly consult with clients and customers to share industry and craft related knowledge, business process enhancements, and best practices. The Senior QA Engineer is client and delivery focused, constantly monitoring and improving to ensure the project aligns to the business needs. They propose, plan, coordinate, and provide QA leadership on architecture and development activities for major applications using creativity, in-depth technical knowledge, automated and manual testing tools and domain knowledge and experience. The Senior QA Engineer develops and applies systems and software engineering concepts, techniques, and patterns to develop deliverables for applications. Working with organizations to define application validation software and design validation models that enable scaled implementation and enhancements to business-critical applications. The Senior QA Engineer communicates actions, outcomes, and results to technical and non-technical audiences. The Senior QA Engineer ensures that the QA team and development team members possess the skills, training, and other resources required to accomplish their assigned tasks. They are responsible for growing the capabilities of subordinate team members. The Senior QA Engineer also develops tactical strategies in coordination with the Project Management team and participates in the development and execution of program and project plans.

Responsibilities

1. Leads team(s) of QA specialists in Testing following practice guidelines to build automation solutions
2. Grows and teaches team members following VML's Tools guidelines for feedback, coaching, and delegation
3. Iterates and introduces sustainable validation framework and coordinates related teams in delivering world-class marketing technology solutions
4. Anticipates system and industry changes, presenting information and analysis to facilitate proactive approach to opportunities
5. Participates with senior management in planning the short- and long-range automation strategies for the company and provides point of view on technology and automation related matters
6. Takes a lead role in establishing, implementing, and revising standards that result in robust, high-quality infrastructure and applications
7. Provides technical review to help ensure projects meet technical recommendations, integration goals, timeliness, and deliver expected benefits
8. Demonstrates superior analytical, problem-solving, project management, and leadership abilities

Requirements

1. 5+ years of in-depth experience utilizing object-oriented programming and Design Patterns in solutions
2. Applies SDLC principles in daily tasks
3. Proven experience using BDD for functional, presentation, and API automation
4. Demonstrated experience in core JAVA, Selenium, jUnit
5. Ability to anticipate and independently provide solutions for complex problems and issues, recommending upgrades, enhancements, priorities and strategic technology directions based on independent research, consultation and analysis
6. Comprehensive understanding of test methodologies
7. Quickly absorbs complex technical and/or conceptual information, identify key issues and details, and present understandable alternatives to both technical and non-technical individuals
8. Anticipates issues and provides solutions for complex problems
9. Ability to identify the practical implications of new technologies and to relate automation system capabilities to business goals
10. Demonstrated ability to work on multiple complex tasks against deadlines and shifting priorities and to comfortably deal with uncertainty, ambiguity, and change
11. Superior organizational, interpersonal, presentation and communication skills
12. Proven ability to grow capabilities of others and share knowledge
13. Demonstrated ability to solicit constructive input from and build consensus among groups and constituencies with differing priorities and perspectives

Competencies

1. Qualified candidates will have 5+ years of expert-level test development experience
2. Proven proficiency working with the following: JAVA, Selenium, jUnit
3. Experience with the most updated versions of front-end/back-end testing technologies
4. Demonstrates automation-first test design
5. Working knowledge of build and deployment automation using tools such as Jenkins
6. Experience automating tests for mobile and web applications, and APIs
7. Experience in performance test automation using tools such as JMeter, sitespeed.io, and soapui
8. Strong understanding of accessibility guidelines and testing tools

The ideal Candidate

• Will possess an entrepreneurial spirit, who thrives with a certain level of uncertainty and autonomy yet manages to navigate among multiple stakeholders (internally and externally) to secure structured and successful social media engagements and grow target audiences.
• Personality and approach: Collaborative, positive, result driven, energetic, self-driven, ethical, emphatic, robust, daring, executional (can do - get things done attitude)
• Strong communication, motivational and active listening skills
• Culturally aligned with VML values, culture and guiding principles

VML is a WPP agency. For more information, please visit our website and follow Wunderman Thompson on our social channels: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

VML is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability. We rely on legitimate interest as a legal basis for processing personal information under the GDPR for purposes of recruitment and applications for employment.

The compensation for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package. Click WPP Benefits for more details.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram,LinkedIn, andX.

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