Senior QA Automation Engineer- Hybrid- Des Moines, Iowa

Wellabe is looking for a Sr. QA Automation Engineer to join our team. The Senior QA Automation Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and scalability of Wellabe's platform products through advanced test automation and quality assurance practices. This role serves as a hands-on technical lead who drives automation-first quality strategies across UI, API, integration, and regression layers.

This position partners closely with Engineering, Product, and Architecture teams to embed quality throughout the delivery lifecycle. The Senior QA Automation Engineer designs, builds, and maintains robust automation frameworks, integrates testing into CI/CD pipelines, and leads the strategic adoption of intelligent and AI-driven testing approaches while remaining hands-on in their implementation to improve speed, coverage, and confidence in releases.

Be successful in this role

Someone in this role will:

• Design, implement, and maintain scalable automation frameworks for UI, API, integration, and regression testing, with automation as the default testing approach.
• Perform functional, system integration, regression testing across complex applications.
• Develop and execute automated tests using modern tools and frameworks such as Playwright and AI automation solutions.
• Design and execute test strategies for iterative Agile development, validating individual features and integrations as they are delivered to testing environments, while ensuring full end-to-end system testing is completed prior to production release
• Lead test reviews, including unit and integration tests, and collaborate with developers to improve test coverage and reliability.
• Perform backend data validation by developing and executing SQL queries to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Create comprehensive test plans that include test strategies, timelines, capacity planning, estimates, and test environment planning.
• Establish and operationalize quality assurance standards, governance, and best practices across teams.
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows using tools such as GitHub Actions to enable continuous testing and fast feedback.
• Introduce and scale AI-driven and intelligent testing solutions, including self-healing automation, test prioritization, and analytics-driven testing.
• Define, track, and analyze quality metrics, KPIs, and risk indicators to improve product quality and release confidence.
• Remain hands-on with complex testing scenarios, framework decisions, and automation design while providing technical guidance and mentorship to other QA team members.
• Ensure compliance with SDLC, regulatory, audit, and risk requirements in regulated or audit-heavy environments.

Qualifications

• Expert-level experience with modern test automation tools and frameworks, including Playwright and API automation tools such as ReadyAPI, Postman or equivalent toolsets.
• Strong understanding of modern application architectures, including microservices, APIs, event-driven systems, and cloud-native or containerized environments.
• Proven experience designing and maintaining automation frameworks from the ground up.
• Deep knowledge of CI/CD, DevOps practices, and continuous testing strategies.
• Experience with performance, resilience, and non-functional testing methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to influence across Engineering, Product, and Architecture teams.
• Ability to strategically adopt and leverage AI tools daily while remaining hands-on in test development, troubleshooting, and continuous learning.
• Demonstrated technical leadership capabilities, including mentoring, coaching, and supporting the development of QA team members without formal people management responsibilities.
• Solid understanding of Agile and SAFe delivery models within large-scale enterprise environments.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field preferred. A combination of education and relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Extensive experience in automation or performance testing as a primary responsibility.
• Proven success driving automation strategies across multiple test layers.
• Experience leading or influencing quality assurance practices within Agile and DevOps teams.
• Prior experience introducing or scaling AI-based or intelligent test automation solutions preferred.

Benefits

• Hybrid availability
• 401(k) with company match
• Health insurance
• Paid time off, holidays
• Volunteer time off
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA)
• Paternity leave

Growth opportunities

We believe each of us has potential to grow and adapt with our business. We take your career as seriously as you do. Helping you develop your skills and talents leads to opportunities - not only for you, but also for our company. That's why we provide:

• LinkedIn Learning Premium access
• CliftonStrengths assessment and coaching
• On-site and virtual workshops and cohorts featuring world-class content from FranklinCovey, Crucial Learning, Gallup, and more
• Free world-class insurance acumen courses through AHIP and LOMA
• Reimbursement and bonus opportunities for professional designations and certifications, including a tuition reimbursement program
• Opportunities to take part in Wellabe's mentorship programs

About Wellabe

Since 1929, Wellabe has been finding solutions to help our customers protect their health and financial well-being. And we're committed to fostering an internal culture of inclusivity, well-being, and development so each of our team members can succeed. Learn more about Wellabe's culture of betterment by visiting wellabe.com/culture.

Wellabe is full of smart, caring, hard-working people with a broad range of talents who understand collaboration is key. We bring our best selves every day, to connect with others to solve problems, spark innovation, and bring ideas to life. Meet the team and learn what makes Wellabe a great place to work by visiting wellabe.com/news/employee-spotlights.

Our core values:

• Be dedicated: Show unwavering commitment by proactively taking initiative, setting clear goals, and managing time effectively.
• Be trustworthy: Take accountability for actions, navigate difficult conversations with integrity, and build strong relationships through consistent, honest behavior.
• Be determined: Demonstrate enthusiasm and a relentless drive to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
• Be collaborative: Foster teamwork by being self-aware, actively listening, and effectively communicating across all levels.
• Be open: Embrace diversity and new ideas to create an inclusive environment.
• Be generous: Embody generosity and compassion by serving a greater purpose and helping others.
• Be better: Commit to continuous improvement and adapt effectively to change.
• Be well: Prioritize physical and mental health, manage stress, and demonstrate emotional intelligence.