Quality Engineering Manager at E-470 Public Highway Authority (CO) – Aurora, Colorado

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Quality Engineering Manager to lead enterprise-wide quality engineering initiatives, drive excellence in software testing practices, and ensure quality is embedded as a core business value across all delivery programs. This role combines strategic leadership and hands-on governance of quality engineering processes. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in test architecture, large-scale quality operations, and the integration of modern engineering practices — including AI-driven testing, automation at scale, and continuous improvement frameworks.

The Quality Engineering Manager will mentor test leaders, collaborating with architects, and stakeholders to define and execute robust testing strategies that align with business outcomes and technological innovation.
Strategic Planning and Organizational Development:

• Define and execute long-term strategic quality engineering goals that align with the organization’s mission and vision.
• Design and evolve organizational structures that scale testing capabilities and support enterprise strategic objectives.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement within the quality engineering practice by sponsoring R&D, capability development, and new service offerings.
• Lead change management initiatives that institutionalize quality as a key enabler of business value and end user satisfaction.

Quality Engineering Leadership and Governance:

• Architect and govern enterprise-wide quality engineering strategies, ensuring unified practices across platforms, business units, and teams.
• Establish and scale Testing Centers of Excellence (TCoE), defining governance models, standardization frameworks, and tooling ecosystems.
• Oversee implementation of advanced testing methodologies (automation, AI-assisted testing, model-based testing, risk-based testing) across delivery portfolios.
• Govern the execution of proof-of-concepts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead quality transformation programs, embedding measurable quality KPIs and aligning them with organizational OKRs and delivery excellence.

Engineering Excellence and Innovation:

• Drive engineering excellence initiatives that natively embed quality into engineering processes.
• Apply GenAI and prompt engineering techniques to enhance testing effectiveness at scale.
• Integrate QE with DevOps, CI/CD, and shift-left practices to optimize quality outcomes across the development lifecycle.

People Development:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire quality engineers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Oversee talent development, succession planning, and performance management within engineering units.
• Encourage experimentation, creativity, and ownership in problem-solving and delivery execution.
• Drive engagement and retention through recognition, feedback, and alignment with professional growth paths for engineering talent.

Continuous Learning and Professional Development:

• Maintain deep awareness of emerging technologies, testing tools, and quality trends through training and industry participation.
• Contribute to R&D and reusable QE assets that accelerate delivery and innovation.

Required Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in Software Testing and Quality Engineering, including 5+ years in managerial or strategic QA leadership roles.
• Proven experience architecting enterprise-level QA strategies, establishing CoEs, and managing complex testing programs across global accounts.
• Demonstrated success in leading, mentoring, and developing quality engineering talent to enhance team performance, foster innovation, and drive the organization’s strategic goals.

Required Skills:

• Leadership and Strategic Management:
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Proven record of leading change management initiatives and fostering innovation.

• Quality Engineering Expertise:
  • Deep understanding of SDLC, test automation frameworks and performance analysis.
  • Expertise in AI-assisted testing, continuous testing, and engineering governance frameworks.
  • Proven ability to standardize and scale testing processes across diverse technology stacks.

• Innovation Leadership
  • Experience promoting best practices in quality engineering across teams.
  • Practical experience in implementing automation-first, AI-enhanced, and shift-left testing strategies.
  • Strong focus on measurable value creation and ROI through innovative quality solutions

• Team Development and Mentorship:
  • Passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing high-performing engineering teams.
  • Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Ability to coach, inspire, and develop top talent in a distributed environment.
  • Commitment to fostering a learning culture with ongoing capability development.

Preferred Skills (Nice-to-Have):

• Experience managing large-scale distributed engineering organizations or global delivery teams.
• First-hand experience implementing and adopting AI-based solution for testing and automation.