Lead Software Engineer

We're seeking an experienced lead developer with strong Java development and test lead skills to drive our testing automation strategy across FINRA's enterprise applications. This hands-on role (approximately 40% QA strategy/leadership, 50% automation and test case development, 10% code reviews) combines quality leadership with advanced technical capabilities to champion best practices, implement automation frameworks, and influence stakeholders at all levels. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience with test automation tools and a passion for building quality into our diverse application portfolio, including Workday HCM and Finance systems.

Description:

This position supports multiple Corporate Systems application teams across FINRA's enterprise, working with a diverse portfolio including SaaS, COTS, and custom-built software. The successful candidate will provide both direct hands-on support and influence-based leadership to 10+ analysts and developers across multiple peer teams, requiring strong communication skills to drive outcomes and champion quality practices.

• Define, implement, and evolve test automation strategy across multiple application teams.
• Lead Workday test automation and tool evaluation for HCM and Finance functional areas.
• Develop and maintain automated test cases and frameworks for both custom-built applications and Workday systems.
• Mentor engineers and developers on testing best practices.
• Collaborate with application teams to integrate quality practices throughout the development lifecycle.
• Establish and track quality metrics, presenting findings to executive leadership.
• Drive cultural change around quality practices and shift-left testing adoption.
• Software QA experience as well as being in a lead capacity role setting testing direction and mentoring others.
• Deep, hands-on expertise designing, building, and maintaining test automation frameworks using tools such as Playwright, Cucumber, or Selenium.
• Strong coding skills (Java preferred) with ability to develop, review, and maintain automation code.
• Experience defining and implementing comprehensive test strategies covering functional, integration, regression, and performance testing, including test data management and shift-left testing practices.
• Strong communication and influence skills to champion quality practices and drive outcomes across multiple teams and stakeholders, up to senior leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related discipline with at least 7 years of related experience, or equivalent training and/or work experience.
• Strong system design experience
• Strong experience in object-oriented development
• Strong experience with cloud technologies
• Strong experience in data storage technologies
• Strong experience in performance tuning and optimization
• Strong experience in Dev Ops and CI/CD technologies
• Strong experience test automation and unit testing
• Strong experience software security

Hybrid work environment, with defined in-person presence requirements. Occasional travel and extended hours may be required.

• CO/FL/TX:
  Minimum Salary $114,200, Maximum Salary $207,200
• IL/PA:
  Minimum Salary $125,900, Maximum Salary $228,000
• MA/MD/VA/Washington, DC:
  Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $238,300
• NY/NJ:
  Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $248,700

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Non-exempt employees are also eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal, state, or local law. As part of its dedication to employee wellness, FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal.

FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, and other benefits that support employee wellness, such as adoption assistance, backup family care, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs. Time Off and Paid Leave: FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time-off program of 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days, unless otherwise required by law (all pro-rated in the first year).

Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full-time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member leave…