Test Automation Lead

We are seeking a Test Automation Lead to define and govern enterprise automation strategy in support of Ford’s SAP transformation programs. This role is accountable for aligning automation with enterprise testing governance, release readiness, and cross-system integration quality, while driving innovation through scalable frameworks and AI-enabled capabilities.

The position operates at the intersection of testing, integration, and release governance, ensuring automation is effectively embedded across Product Driven Organizations (PDOs) and contributes directly to Go/No-Go decisioning and program outcomes.

Enterprise Automation Strategy & Governance

• Define and govern the enterprise automation strategy, ensuring alignment with Ford’s testing standards, entry/exit criteria, and overall quality framework
• Establish and enforce automation guidelines, design standards, and repository governance to ensure scalability, reusability, and maintainability
• Standardize automation practices across PDOs and programs to drive consistency and reduce duplication

Release Readiness & Integration Quality

• Integrate automation into release and cutover planning, supporting validation of end-to-end business processes across SAP and connected systems
• Provide inputs into release readiness, defect risk, and Go/No-Go decisioning based on automation insights and execution metrics
• Ensure automation strategy supports integration testing maturity and dependency management

Cycle Time Optimization & Test Data Strategy

• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks across the testing lifecycle to reduce cycle time and improve execution efficiency
• Define and implement scalable Test Data Management (TDM) strategies to support repeatable, reliable automated execution
• Enable unattended execution through CI/CD pipelines and distributed execution models

AI-Driven Testing & Innovation

• Evaluate and implement AI-enabled testing capabilities (e.g., self-healing automation, impact analysis, autonomous test generation)
• Drive adoption of AI solutions to improve regression scope optimization and execution efficiency
• Align innovation efforts with enterprise priorities and measurable business outcomes

Tool Strategy & Governance

• Lead evaluation and execution of Proof of Concepts (PoCs) for emerging tools and capabilities
• Navigate Ford’s architecture, security, and procurement governance processes for tool onboarding
• Ensure tools integrate effectively into the broader enterprise testing and delivery ecosystem

PDO & Vendor Alignment

• Partner with PDO teams to embed automation into delivery pipelines and ensure adoption of enterprise standards
• Govern and oversee System Integrator (SI) / vendor delivery quality related to automation
• Serve as the escalation point for automation quality, coverage gaps, and execution risks

Metrics, Reporting & Transparency

• Define and track key metrics including: 
  • Automation coverage and effectiveness
  • Defect leakage and quality trends
  • Cycle time reduction
  • Automation ROI
• Provide transparent, executive-level reporting to support program and leadership decision-making

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and mentor automation engineers, driving capability uplift and best practice adoption
• Establish a scalable operating model for automation across programs and delivery teams
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in software testing and quality engineering, with significant focus on automation
• Strong experience designing and governing enterprise test automation frameworks
• Hands-on experience with automation tools such as Tricentis Tosca or equivalent model-based testing tools
• Experience with API/Web Services testing (REST/SOAP)
• Working knowledge of SAP ecosystem (S/4HANA, Fiori, integration patterns, business processes)
• Experience driving enterprise tool evaluations and PoCs through governance processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI-driven testing or impact analysis tools
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps practices
• Experience operating in large-scale SAP transformation programs
• Proven ability to work across cross-functional teams and complex delivery organizations