Principal QA Engineer

VML is seeking a Principal QA Automation Engineer in New Delhi, Delhi, India, to serve as the foremost technical authority for test automation across its engineering teams. This role is ideal for an automation enthusiast with a proven history of architecting frameworks from scratch, solving problems at scale, and influencing team approaches to automated testing. The ideal candidate possesses deep proficiency in Playwright and TypeScript, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of the full engineering ecosystem, including front-end, back-end, infrastructure, and CI/CD. This breadth of knowledge is crucial for designing automation solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing architectures, prioritizing maintainability, reliability, and developer experience alongside test coverage. Furthermore, the role involves shaping the company's use of AI in automation, not only by utilizing AI-assisted development tools but also by defining AI's role in the overall automation strategy, evaluating emerging tools, and setting adoption standards for the wider team.

Key responsibilities include leading through expertise and influence, mentoring lead and senior engineers, establishing company-wide automation standards, and providing consultative guidance on complex engagements. This position requires representing automation at the highest levels, advising clients on strategy, and steering technical direction across multiple accounts. You will set the technical direction for test automation, define and evolve company-wide standards, architect scalable automation solutions, and drive automation strategy across web, API, and mobile testing. Ensuring deep integration of automation into CI/CD pipelines and driving innovation in AI for automation are critical. You will also provide consultative guidance, mentor QA engineers, contribute to the QA community, and represent automation in senior client and strategic technical discussions, supporting business development with technical input.

Required qualifications include extensive experience in test automation at a senior technical level across complex programs, expert-level proficiency in Playwright and TypeScript, and a broad technical understanding of architecture, CI/CD, DevOps, and front-end/back-end technologies. Experience designing and evolving large-scale automation frameworks across multiple accounts and codebases is essential, as is strong experience with AI-assisted development tools and a clear vision for AI's impact on automation. The candidate should have experience defining cross-team automation standards, a consultative mindset for engagement-level strategy, and a proven ability to mentor senior engineers. Confidence in engaging with senior client stakeholders and a commitment to continuous learning and raising the bar for automation capabilities are also expected. The role is permanent and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including training, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, and more. VML fosters a culture of Heart, Brains, and Courage, emphasizing empathy, innovation, and bold solutions.