Automation Architect

Location: Chennai Experience: 15+ Years Key Responsibilities Conduct a comprehensive and independent assessment of the existing automation framework, architecture, codebase, and overall automation platform. Evaluate the current Java-Selenium technology stack, including framework design, coding standards, reusable components, test data management, reporting mechanisms, and execution strategies. Assess the effectiveness of the automation platform in terms of test coverage, stability, maintainability, scalability, execution efficiency, and overall return on investment (ROI). Review integrations with CI/CD pipelines, source control systems, test environments, reporting platforms, and defect management tools to ensure alignment with industry standards and best practices. Identify technical debt, architectural constraints, process bottlenecks, duplicated efforts, flaky test scenarios, and other factors impacting automation effectiveness. Benchmark the existing automation approach against industry best practices and provide recommendations for improvement and optimization. Evaluate opportunities to incorporate modern automation capabilities, including Playwright, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Generative AI (GenAI), where appropriate. Develop a prioritized modernization and improvement roadmap encompassing short-term quick wins, medium-term enhancements, and long-term strategic initiatives. Provide expert recommendations on framework architecture, technology selection, engineering practices, governance models, operating procedures, and team structure. Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions with the QA and Automation teams, providing guidance and mentorship on recommended improvements and best practices. Required Experience and Qualifications 15+ years of experience in Quality Assurance (QA), with a strong focus on Test Automation, Automation Architecture, and enterprise-scale framework design. Deep expertise in Java, Selenium, and enterprise automation framework development and implementation. Strong understanding of automation design patterns, software engineering principles, reusable framework components, and automation best practices. Proven track record in assessing, optimizing, and modernizing large-scale automation platforms within enterprise environments. Extensive experience with CI/CD tools and practices, including Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or equivalent platforms. Strong experience in test reporting, parallel execution, cloud/grid-based test execution, test data management, and environment management. Solid understanding of Agile, DevOps, and enterprise QA processes, with the ability to align automation strategies to business objectives. Hands-on exposure to Playwright and AI/GenAI-driven automation solutions is highly desirable. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to engage with senior stakeholders, provide strategic recommendations, and drive automation transformation initiatives across organizations.