
QA Lead
Reality Defender • New York, New York, United States
Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 / year
Role & seniority: QA Lead; 6+ years in software quality assurance, 2+ years in a lead/senior capacity
Stack/tools: automated test frameworks (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, pytest), REST APIs, backend/cloud apps, distributed systems, CI/CD pipelines
Top 3 responsibilities
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Define and implement the overall QA strategy, processes, and standards
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Lead test planning, execution, and release validation for platform features, APIs, and ML-powered detection
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Design/maintain automated frameworks for functional, integration, regression, and performance testing; monitor quality metrics and release readiness; mentor QA engineers
Must-have skills
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Experience testing distributed systems, APIs, and cloud-based applications
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Hands-on in building/maintaining automated test frameworks
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Proficiency with test automation tools (Selenium/Cypress/Playwright/pytest) and REST API testing
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Familiarity with CI/CD and automated testing integration; strong analytical and debugging skills
Nice-to-haves
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Experience with ML-powered detection systems or security-focused testing
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Performance and reliability testing; leadership/mentorship experience at scale
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Location & work type: New York City HQ; hybrid/onsite with benefits including remote Fridays and in-office perks; travel not specified
Full Description
Who we are. Reality Defender is an award-winning cybersecurity company helping enterprises and governments detect deepfakes and AI-generated media. Utilizing a patented multi-model approach, Reality Defender is robust against the bleeding edge of generative platforms producing video, audio, imagery, and text media. Reality Defender's API-first deepfake detection platform empowers teams and developers alike to identify fraud, disinformation campaigns, and harmful deepfakes in real time. Backed by world class investors including DCVC, Illuminate Financial, Y Combinator, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Accenture, Rackhouse, and Argon VC, Reality Defender works with leading enterprise clients, financial institutions, and governments in order to ensure AI-generated media is not used for malicious purposes.
Youtube: Reality Defender Wins RSA Most Innovative Startup The QA Lead Role. We are seeking an experienced QA Lead to define and drive the quality strategy across our platform, ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of mission-critical systems. This role will lead quality assurance efforts across backend services, frontend applications, and machine learning–powered detection systems. The QA Lead will work closely with engineering, ML, product, and DevOps teams to implement scalable testing processes, automation frameworks, and quality standards. This role requires both hands-on technical expertise and leadership capabilities to help build and scale a world-class QA function.
Responsibilities include
- Define and implement the overall QA strategy, processes, and standards across the organization
- Lead test planning, execution, and release validation for platform features, APIs, and AI/ML-powered detection systems
- Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for functional, integration, regression, and performance testing
- Partner with engineering and product teams to ensure quality is integrated throughout the software development lifecycle
- Identify, track, and drive resolution of defects, performance issues, and reliability risks
- Establish and monitor quality metrics, test coverage, and release readiness criteria
- Mentor and support QA engineers while helping scale the QA function as the company grows
- Contribute to continuous improvement of CI/CD pipelines, automation, and release processes
- Who you are.
- 6+ years of experience in software quality assurance, with 2+ years in a lead or senior role
- Strong experience testing distributed systems, APIs, and cloud-based applications
- Hands-on experience building and maintaining automated test frameworks
- Experience with test automation tools and frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, pytest, or similar)
- Experience testing RESTful APIs and backend systems
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing integration
- Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills
- What we offer.
Reality Defender offers the following benefits to all our employees, regardless of location
- Healthcare plans with 100% premium coverage for employees and partial coverage available for dependents
- Dental and Vision plans with 100% premium coverage for employees and their dependents
- Short/Long-term disability and life insurance plans with 100% premium coverage for employees
- FSA/HSA and 401k programs
- Equity compensation
- 20 days of PTO per year
- 12 weeks of Parental Leave
- Learning and Development budget
- Monthly wellness benefits
- Annual company-sponsored offsite
For employees working from Reality Defender’s HQ in NYC, we offer the following benefits
- Daily in-office lunch through UberEats
- Commuter benefits
- Remote Fridays
- Happy Hours and other local events