Lead/Principal Software QA Test Engineer

TL;DR

Lead/Principal Software QA Test Engineer (Manual Testing/QA Automation): Planning and executing validation for complex web-based applications in a regulated clinical research environment with an accent on functional requirements, test strategy, and compliance. Focus on leading testing projects, mentoring testers, coordinating user acceptance testing, and improving quality processes across development and business teams.

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio; primarily office-based, with occasional work from home available for eligible positions after training

Company

A large clinical contract research organization providing clinical development services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies across more than 40 countries.

What you will do

• Lead validation projects for complex software applications to ensure robust functionality and regulatory compliance.
• Review functional requirements and create test plans, test cases, and test summary reports.
• Execute manual and automated functional tests, report defects, and coordinate resolution with developers.
• Lead peer reviews of test cases and facilitate user acceptance test execution.
• Mentor junior testers and lead project meetings, including stand-ups and refinement sessions.
• Support process improvements, staff training, and project initiatives across the IT organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience in software testing.
• Experience leading manual testing for complex software applications, preferably in an agile-like environment.
• Experience collaborating with software developers, department leads, and end users across departments.
• Strong analytical, computer, written communication, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a primarily office-based role in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Nice to have

• Direct personnel supervision experience.
• Experience in the regulated healthcare industry.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative environment focused on clinical research excellence and improving patient outcomes.
• On-site mentors, structured career paths, onboarding, and ongoing professional development.
• Health, wellness, retirement, paid time off, and performance-based compensation programs.
• Office-based culture with occasional work-from-home flexibility for eligible positions after training.
• Corporate campus with on-site dining, parking, fitness, wellness facilities, social events, and intramural sports.

Hiring process

• Application review by the hiring team.
• Selected candidates are contacted for an interview.