QA Backend Tech Lead

TL;DR

QA Backend Tech Lead: Driving QA strategy and best practices across a distributed backend ecosystem with an accent on microservices, event-driven architectures, and high-load performance testing. Focus on building automated testing frameworks, implementing CI/CD quality gates, and mentoring engineering teams to ensure platform reliability.

Location: Remote (Global). The team operates on a Sunday to Thursday schedule (GMT+3). Optional relocation to Doha, Qatar is available.

Company

Qatar Insurance Company (hirify.global) is a leading insurance provider in the GCC, currently transforming into a digital ecosystem by integrating insurance and lifestyle services.

What you will do

• Define and own the backend quality strategy across the entire software development lifecycle.
• Lead testing efforts for distributed microservices, gRPC APIs, and Kafka-based event-driven systems.
• Develop and evolve automated testing frameworks and quality gates within CI/CD pipelines.
• Conduct non-functional, performance, and reliability testing for high-load services.
• Utilize observability tools to investigate production issues and collaborate on root-cause analysis.
• Improve test infrastructure, quality metrics, and engineering processes to increase release confidence.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in QA Engineering with proven technical leadership as a QA Tech Lead or Principal SDET.
• Significant experience testing distributed backend microservices, gRPC, and Kafka.
• Hands-on experience with test automation and GitLab CI/CD quality gates.
• Strong knowledge of Kubernetes, public cloud platforms (GCP preferred), and observability tools like ELK and Grafana.
• English proficiency of B2 level or higher.
• Ability to work in a GMT+3 time zone.

Nice to have

• Strong programming skills in Java and/or Python.
• Experience with contract, API, and performance testing tools.
• Background in regulated environments, ArgoCD/GitOps, or insurance/fintech domains.

Culture & Benefits

• Long-term service agreement contract with monthly payments in USD via SWIFT.
• Fully remote work environment with a diverse team across 25+ countries.
• Vacation policy based on the Qatar Holiday Calendar (20 vacation days, 10 sick days).
• Performance reviews conducted twice a year with salary increase opportunities.
• Potential opportunity for relocation to Doha, Qatar.