Manager, Software Engineering in Test

As the Manager, Software Engineering in Test at ShopBack, your key responsibilities will include leading and mentoring the SDET team, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create alignment on testing strategies, defining quality standards within the engineering organization, and developing test automation strategies. Additionally, you will identify inefficiencies in the testing process and work on enhancing product quality through automated solutions.

To qualify for the Manager, Software Engineering in Test role at ShopBack, you should have at least 5 years of experience in software development, automation, and testing. Proven leadership abilities and a strong proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript are essential. Experience with test automation tools like Selenium and a solid understanding of CI/CD practices within DevOps pipelines are also crucial for success in this position.

In the Manager, Software Engineering in Test role at ShopBack, you will utilize various automation tools such as Selenium, Appium, JUnit, Cypress, and Jenkins. Familiarity with testing both mobile (iOS and Android) and web applications will be important. Additionally, knowledge of performance and load testing methodologies will further enhance your effectiveness in quality assurance.

As a Manager, Software Engineering in Test at ShopBack, you will contribute to achieving the company’s goals by ensuring exceptional product quality through your leadership of the SDET team. By implementing innovation in test automation and enhancing operational efficiency, you will help deliver a top-tier shopping experience that aligns with our ambition to be The World's Most Rewarding Way to Shop.

The company culture at ShopBack is built around values like grit, hunger, speed, and impact. As a Manager, Software Engineering in Test, you will thrive in an open, candid, and collaborative environment that emphasizes feedback and personal development. It's a culture where ambition is encouraged, and everyone has the opportunity to grow and take on exciting challenges.

When answering this question, share specific examples of your past leadership roles, focusing on how you managed team dynamics, resolved conflicts, and motivated your team to achieve testing goals. Highlight any successful projects and quantifiable outcomes that stemmed from your leadership.

Your answer should encompass the various dimensions of quality, ranging from functional correctness to usability and performance. Discuss how automated testing, thorough documentation, and collaborative practices play a crucial role in maintaining high-quality standards within the projects you've worked on.

Explain the approach you take to identify which tests to automate. Discuss how you prioritize automation efforts based on project needs, team capabilities, and the tools you employ. A good answer would include an example of a successful test automation implementation you led.

Talk about the importance of continuous learning and development. Mention how you encourage your team to access training resources, participate in workshops, and attend conferences. Highlight relevant experiences of leading these initiatives within your previous teams.

Select a real-life project where you encountered significant challenges, such as tight deadlines or complex requirements. Articulate the strategies you employed to overcome these obstacles, showcasing your problem-solving skills, and how the outcome ultimately led to greater learning for you and your team.

Articulate your belief in the importance of communication among team members and across departments. Discuss techniques you utilize to facilitate clear and effective communication regarding testing strategies, timelines, and expectations to ensure all stakeholders remain aligned throughout the project cycle.

Discuss key performance indicators you’ve leveraged in the past to measure success, such as defect density, testing coverage, and time to market. Be prepared to relate these metrics to specific instances where you demonstrated improved quality in software releases.

In your response, demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of the SDLC, including phases such as requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Highlight how each phase interacts with quality assurance and how your role fits into this lifecycle.

Emphasize the critical nature of collaboration in software development. Provide examples of how you fostered cross-functional partnerships with product management, development, and customer service to enhance the success rate of your testing initiatives.

Share your expertise with performance and load testing tools that you have successfully utilized in the past, such as JMeter or LoadRunner. Explain the context in which you used these tools and the metrics that they helped you achieve, emphasizing your hands-on experience.