Lead Software Test Engineer

Job Summary

Career Area: Technology, Digital and Data

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, youre joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We dont just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Quality Engineering & Testing

• Strong experience in leading functional, regression, integration, system, and end-to-end testing across web, mobile, API, and data platforms.
• Ability to define quality engineering strategies, testing standards, and best practices aligned with business and engineering objectives.
• Experience leading test planning, risk assessment, quality governance, and release readiness activities across complex applications.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and drive quality excellence across teams.

API Testing

• Hands-on expertise in API testing, automation, validation, and integration testing across distributed and microservices-based architectures.
• Proficiency with Karate framework for API automation development and maintenance.
• Strong understanding of REST APIs, contract testing, service virtualization, and service integration validation.

Automation Testing & Strategy

• Proven experience in designing, architecting, and maintaining enterprise-scale automation frameworks using Playwright (Java, JavaScript, or TypeScript).
• Strong expertise in advanced Playwright capabilities including framework architecture, parallel execution, API mocking, cross-browser testing, reporting, and CI/CD integration.
• Ability to define and execute automation strategies, standards, governance, and roadmap initiatives across teams.
• Experience building scalable, reusable, and maintainable automation solutions that improve test coverage, efficiency, and release confidence.
• Strong coding and software engineering skills with a focus on automation framework development and engineering best practices.

AI & Advanced Automation

• Knowledge of AI/GenAI technologies and their application in Quality Engineering and test automation is highly desirable.
• Experience evaluating and implementing AI-driven testing solutions such as automated test generation, intelligent test maintenance, defect prediction, and test optimization.
• Ability to identify automation opportunities and drive innovation through next-generation testing technologies.

Data, ETL & Database Testing

• Strong understanding of ETL processes, data pipelines, data migration, and data validation testing.
• Experience in database testing, SQL validation, data reconciliation, and end-to-end data quality verification.
• Ability to validate complex data transformations and integrations across cloud and enterprise platforms.

Cloud & Platform Knowledge

• Strong understanding of AWS services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, CloudWatch, and cloud-native architectures.
• Experience testing distributed systems, microservices architectures, and cloud-based applications.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and modern software delivery models.

Tools & Process Expertise

• Strong working knowledge of Azure Test Plans, Azure DevOps, JIRA, Zephyr, GitHub, Jenkins, or similar quality and delivery tools.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments and driving quality engineering practices throughout the SDLC.
• Ability to establish quality metrics, automation KPIs, and engineering best practices.

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Ability to lead technical discussions and represent Quality Engineering in architecture reviews, design sessions, and engineering leadership forums.
• Experience defining automation roadmaps, framework strategies, and quality engineering transformation initiatives.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach, and provide technical leadership to Quality Engineering and Automation teams.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Architecture, and DevOps teams to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions.

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Strong analytical and debugging skills with the ability to investigate complex issues across application, API, infrastructure, and data layers.
• Ability to perform root cause analysis, identify systemic quality g…