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Quality Assurance Test Lead (Contract)

Blue Star Partners Columbus, Ohio, United States

hybridcontract

Salary: $65 - $75 / hour

Posted Feb 6, 2026Apply by Mar 8, 2026

Role & seniority: Quality Assurance Test Lead, Mid-Senior level; Contract (6 months, potential extension)

Stack/tools: Tricentis qTest, JIRA; performance testing (OpenText LoadRunner/Performance Center); automation testing (Tricentis Tosca, Gherkin, Jenkins, Postman); SQL querying; Agile and Waterfall environments

Top 3 responsibilities

  • Lead and govern testing activities, define best practices, and act as escalation point for risks, issues, and defects

  • Plan, execute, and maintain test strategies, plans, scripts (manual and automated), ensuring traceability to requirements

  • Provide metrics, reporting, governance; manage defects, SLAs, and coordinate with PMO, Deployment, Release, and cross-functional teams; mentor junior QA

Must-have skills

  • 5–7+ years in QA, testing leadership or test program delivery

  • Experience leading QA on complex projects with distributed teams

  • Proficiency with test/requirements management tools (qTest, JIRA)

  • Strong communication, ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-paced, matrixed environments

  • Deep understanding of QA best practices across the SDLC

Nice-to-haves

  • Performance testing experience (LoadRunner/Performance Center)

  • Automation testing (Tosca, Gherkin), CI/CD involvement

  • SQL/data validation experience

  • Experience supporting Agile delivery teams

Location & work type: Columbus, OH; Hybrid (3 days onsite per week); 6-month contract, W2; hourly rate $65–$75; US work authorization requi

Full Description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Test Lead

Location: Columbus, OH (Hybrid – 3 days onsite per week)

Duration: 6-Month Contract (Possible Extensions)

Rate: $65 – $75/hr (W2)

Benefits: 401(k) with 4% company match

Work Authorization

Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employment-based visa sponsorship. No sponsorship available for H-1B, H-1B1, F-1, OPT, CPT, TN, L-1, O-1, E-3, J-1, or any other visa status.

Position

The Quality Assurance Test Lead is responsible for leading testing activities across enterprise applications within a defined functional or technical domain. This role serves as a key contributor on project and program teams operating in both Agile and Waterfall environments. The Test Lead provides strategic oversight of QA practices while remaining hands-on with test planning, execution, reporting, and continuous improvement.

This position requires deep expertise across the SDLC, including manual and automated testing, test management tools, defect governance, and stakeholder coordination within large, cross-functional organizations.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or equivalent experience 5–7+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, testing leadership, or test program delivery Strong experience leading QA efforts on complex projects with distributed teams Extensive experience with test and requirements management tools (Tricentis qTest, JIRA) Demonstrated ability to lead QA strategy while executing tactical testing activities Proven experience acting as a change agent within large, cross-functional environments Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced, matrixed environments Deep understanding of QA best practices across the SDLC Awareness of current QA tools, trends, and industry best practices

Preferred Qualifications

Performance testing experience (OpenText LoadRunner / Performance Center) Automation testing experience (Tricentis Tosca, Gherkin, Jenkins, Postman) SQL querying or data validation experience Experience supporting Agile delivery teams and CI/CD pipelines

Key Responsibilities

QA Leadership & Strategy

Lead and govern testing activities in alignment with PMO and QA frameworks Define and enforce testing best practices, standards, and methodologies Act as escalation point for all testing-related risks, issues, and defects Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive adoption

Test Planning & Execution

Facilitate creation of test strategies, approaches, and plans Define scope of testing for releases, phases, and cycles Develop, review, and maintain manual and automated test scripts Ensure full traceability between requirements and test cases Define entrance and exit criteria and track completion

Metrics, Reporting & Governance

Provide daily and weekly testing status, metrics, and dashboards Track test execution progress, defect aging, and SLA compliance Run audit reports to ensure QA compliance and readiness Partner with PMO, Deployment, and Release teams to ensure delivery readiness

Defect & Risk Management

Establish defect standards, severity, and prioritization Facilitate daily defect triage meetings Monitor defect resolution and enforce SLAs Support mitigation and remediation planning

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Conduct daily tester standups and weekly status meetings Determine testing resource needs and staffing plans Train testers on tools, processes, and defect management Coach and mentor junior QA team members Collaborate with OCM, training, deployment, and business leads

Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Contract Job function Quality Assurance Industries Business Consulting and Services

Quality AssuranceTesting LeadershipTest Program DeliveryTest Management ToolsDefect GovernanceStakeholder CoordinationAgileWaterfallManual TestingAutomated TestingSQLPerformance TestingAutomation TestingCI/CD PipelinesCommunication SkillsProcess Improvementmulti-location

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