Automation SDET Lead

About the role

As an Automation SDET Lead , you will make an impact by driving quality engineering excellence through test automation leadership, framework modernization, and continuous delivery best practices. You will be a valued member of the Software Engineering team and work collaboratively with developers, QA engineers, DevOps professionals, product owners, and business stakeholders to deliver high-quality software solutions

In this role, you will:

• Lead and mentor a team of automation engineers, providing technical direction, code reviews, troubleshooting support, and delivery oversight.

• Own and enhance enterprise automation frameworks to improve scalability, maintainability, reusability, execution speed, and test coverage.

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test solutions for UI, API, regression, smoke, and end-to-end testing.

• Integrate automated test suites with CI/CD pipelines and support quality validation throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Collaborate with Development, QA, DevOps, and Product teams to resolve defects, improve automation reliability, and ensure successful production releases.

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 5 days per week in a client office in Cincinnati, Ohio .

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured, we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 6+ years of experience in Software Quality Engineering, SDET, or Test Automation with strong hands-on expertise in automation framework design and enhancement.

• Strong Java programming skills and solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles and automation design patterns.

• Hands-on experience with Selenium, REST Assured, or comparable UI and API automation frameworks.

• Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD environments using Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or similar tools.

• Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring automation engineers, including work allocation, technical coaching, and code reviews.

• Strong knowledge of API, functional, regression, smoke, and end-to-end testing methodologies.

• Experience with Git, Agile/Scrum delivery models, defect management, and release validation processes.

These will help you stand out

• Experience improving framework efficiency through reusable components, parallel execution, advanced reporting, and test data management.

• Strong analytical and debugging skills with the ability to identify application, automation, and environmental issues.

• Experience reducing flaky tests and improving automation stability across enterprise applications.

• Knowledge of automation architecture, engineering best practices, and quality metrics reporting.

• Experience working in large-scale Agile environments supporting business-critical applications.

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $71,100 and $125,000 USD , depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of the applicable plan.

Compensation information is provided in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency laws.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for eligible employees:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

• Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off

• 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions

• Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Coverage

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Education Assistance and Professional Development Opportunities

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.