MetLife Finance/FinTech

Lead SDET_Software Development Engineer Test

Tokyo, Japan In person Full-time

【Job Description】

We are looking for a Director, Software Development Engineer - Test with a track record of driving Quality Engineering transformation, leveraging test automation platforms, and delivering high-quality software solutions at enterprise scale. To be successful in this role, the candidate would require a balance of technical thought leadership and deep expertise across the software quality lifecycle, including test automation, continuous testing, quality engineering, performance testing, security testing, and modern DevOps practices.

The mission of this role is to lead technology transformation through Quality Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Test Automation, and Continuous Testing, from quality strategy and engineering standards through production-grade solution delivery, ensuring reliable, secure, and scalable systems that deliver transformational impact to the enterprise.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with an emphasis on interaction with executive and senior management, business partners, and technical teams. This role will collaborate closely with business and technology partners to co-create solutions, navigate ambiguity, and develop clarity across complex initiatives.

The Director, Software Development Engineer - Test will manage team performance, foster career development, and oversee resource allocation. Besides contributing in an individual capacity, this role leads and develops Quality Engineering talent. Ultimately, you are responsible for building a high-performing team that delivers enterprise-scale quality solutions through best practices, reusable automation frameworks, AI-enabled engineering capabilities, and a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

【Responsibilities】

  • Drive technology transformation using Quality Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Test Automation, and Continuous Testing.
  • Lead all stages of the Quality Engineering product development lifecycle, from quality strategy, assessment, conceptualization, and prioritization to automation solution development, implementation, and delivery.
  • Solve complex business and technology problems using engineering excellence, automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven quality insights.
  • Develop Quality Engineering roadmaps and deliver solutions with transformational impact to the enterprise.
  • Communicate, engage, and present roadmaps, quality strategies, engineering metrics, AI initiatives, solutions, and impact to executive and senior management.
  • Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Product Management, Software Engineering, Architecture, Infrastructure, DevOps, IT, Compliance, Risk, Security) and business partners to co-create solutions, align priorities, manage dependencies, and remove blockers.
  • Drive adoption of AI-powered Quality Engineering capabilities, including intelligent test generation, automated defect analysis, risk-based testing, quality analytics, engineering copilots, and productivity solutions.
  • Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging AI technologies that improve software quality, testing effectiveness, release velocity, operational resilience, and developer experience.
  • Ensure responsible implementation of quality engineering and AI-enabled solutions, navigating regulatory, security, compliance, privacy, and audit requirements.
  • Institutionalize best practices and contribute to innovation, research, experimentation, and continuous improvement efforts.
  • Accelerate solution delivery using reusable automation frameworks, engineering accelerators, AI-enabled solutions, proof-of-concepts, and quality innovation initiatives.
  • Document and communicate technical solutions effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Establish and monitor quality metrics, including automation coverage, defect leakage, release quality, testing effectiveness, production stability, and productivity improvements.
  • Define and promote quality engineering standards, governance processes, and best practices across teams and products.
  • People leadership: coaching, mentoring, and developing the team.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required.

【Required Qualifications】

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or equivalent educational qualification. Master's degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in software engineering, software testing, quality engineering, test automation, or related disciplines with delivered business results.
  • Proven record in driving Quality Engineering, Test Automation, DevOps, or engineering transformation initiatives across multiple teams.
  • Proven track record of leading and developing Quality Engineering teams, including coaching and mentoring engineers and technical leads.
  • Experience defining quality engineering strategy, standards, best practices, and governance processes across multiple teams and products.
  • Strong experience across modern software quality engineering methodologies, test automation frameworks, continuous testing practices, and quality engineering transformation initiatives.
  • Experience working with large and complex enterprise applications, distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, APIs, microservices architectures, and integrated technology ecosystems.
  • Strong expertise in programming, test automation architecture, software development practices, and engineering excellence.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD, DevOps, DevSecOps, cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), and modern software delivery methodologies.
  • Awareness of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Test Management, Quality Governance, Environment Management, Test Data Management, Release Management, and cloud-based engineering solutions.
  • Experience navigating regulatory and compliance requirements in the

Job description provided by MetLife.
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