Test Lead ( Need Locals to NY/NJ)

Role: Test Lead

Location: Brooklyn, NY (Hybrid)

Duration: Long Term

Job description:

The Test Lead role is needed to support legacy system replacement and modernization initiatives that require strong coordination and overseeing all Functional User Acceptance Testing activities. Given the complexity of pension administration systems, the position demands specialized knowledge and hands-on involvement in test strategy development, functional user acceptance testing oversight, and structured validation of system functionality. The role ensures that testing activities are executed thoroughly and consistently, reduces project risks, and supports timely delivery of critical modernization milestones. Effective management of vendor teams, participation in Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions, and governance over testing artifacts further justify the need for this position to maintain quality and continuity during large-scale system transformation.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee all Functional User Acceptance Testing activities related to legacy system replacement and modernization efforts.
• Oversee vendor testing, ensuring alignment with business requirements, quality standards, and delivery timelines.
• Participate in Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions to understand requirements and validate functionality throughout the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with business and technical stakeholders to define test strategy, test plans, test scenarios, and acceptance criteria.
• Oversee execution, defect management, and documentation of structured test cycles.
• Optimize workflows using AI-assisted testing tools and enhance Jira organization and governance for test assets.
• Ensure consistency, completeness, and traceability across all testing deliverables.

Mandatory Skills/Experience:

• 10 years of Testing experience with at least 4 years in a lead role.
• Demonstrated experience guiding vendor test teams and coordinating complex UAT cycles.
• Experience with legacy system replacement, modernization, or migration projects.
• Ability to interpret business rules and participate in requirement‑gathering/JAD sessions.
• Strong test planning, scenario design, and documentation skills.
• Experience with AI‑driven Test tools, test automation scripting languages and test automation concepts (preferred).
• Proficiency with JIRA, Zephyr, Sharepoint
• Experience with CRM systems like Salesforce, MS Dynamics
• Supporting UAT by providing business‑aligned test coverage
• Prior experience supporting UAT in public pension systems (strongly preferred).
• Proven ability to simulate and execute integrated and isolated tests to analyze results, leveraging CRUD operations on large volumes of raw data using SQL.
• Experience identifying and defining project scope, understanding technical specifications and setup test environment, set clear goals and expectations, manage multiple priorities, prioritize activities, maintain multiple priorities, facilitate the collection of technical, operational or business requirements, set milestones and follow through to successful completion.
• Experience working in various SDLC processes including Agile.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Expertise with MS-Office specifically Microsoft Word, Project, Excel, Visio & PowerPoint.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Expertise in analyzing complex workflow diagrams and business process documentation to derive complete, accurate, and traceable end‑to‑end test scripts
• Strong requirement analysis and gap identification
• Ability to collaborate with SMEs, developers, and cross‑functional teams

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with API and Web Services testing
• Experience in Performance and Load Testing
• Experience with Workflow systems, Document Management and Document Scanning Processes
• Certification as Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP) or ISTQB certified as CTFL (Foundation Level) or CTAL (Advanced Level) or CTEL (Expert Level).