Lead QA Automation Engineer

Role Type : Full-time, salaried
Location: Fully Remote
Vacancy: This is a new role
Compensation: $100,000 - $120,000
Perch is hiring a Lead QA Automation Engineer to lead the QA function and own test automation and quality standards across engineering. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will set QA strategy, own the standards our teams release against, and manage and develop the QA team. You will be accountable for quality across the whole function, not just your own coverage. You will also stay hands-on, building a substantial share of the automation yourself. How you automate is your call, whether code-based, low-code, or a mix, as long as our products are validated continuously and reliably against their requirements. Role Responsibilities Strategy and Standards

• Own QA strategy, set jointly with the VP of Engineering
• Define the quality bar (entry/exit criteria, coverage, release readiness)
• Standardize reporting across delivery teams
• Prioritize coverage by risk, focusing on business-critical behaviour

Automation

• Build, own, and maintain automated regression coverage across our web applications and services
• Select and own the automation tooling, and set conventions that keep suites maintainable
• Get suites running continuously against every change and keep results trustworthy

Leading the Function

• Manage, mentor, and develop the QA engineers on the team
• Own quality outcomes across the function: escaped defects, coverage, and release confidence
• Work alongside Engineering and Product from requirements through release, embedded with delivery teams
  

Skills Required:

• 8+ years in QA/test engineering, including 5+ years owning test automation (not just executing manual test plans)
• Experience owning quality outcomes for a team or function, and managing/mentoring other QA engineers
• Track record of setting testing strategy and standards, getting them adopted org-wide
• Demonstrated experience building an automated regression suite from the ground up and keeping it healthy over time
• Deep hands-on fluency with at least one automation platform, code-based (Playwright, Cypress, Selenium) or low-code (Ghost Inspector, Testim, Katalon, mabl)
• Comfortable with code — able to read, script against, and debug tests, without needing prior software engineering experience
• Based in Canada and eligible to work here, with a track record of succeeding in a fully remote team

Nice to Have 

• Experience in fintech, financial services, or another regulated/high-consequence domain
• Formal line-management experience, including performance and growth conversations
• Experience building a QA function or practice where little existed before
• Experience with performance/load testing, cross-browser platforms, or AI-assisted test tooling

Who is Perch?Perch is a digital mortgage platform dedicated to helping individuals build wealth through real estate. Combining automation, a nationally licensed mortgage brokerage and a lending operation; Perch is uniquely placed to help clients find the best mortgage solution. Whether they’re a first-time homebuyer or seasoned real estate investor, Perch connects them with the right professional to deliver quick mortgage pre-approvals, higher qualification amounts compared to traditional banks, instant mortgage rate quotes, and some of the most competitive interest rates in Canada. We’ve grown to a fully remote team of 30 and have customers who have used (and loved!) our product. Benefits

• Full Benefits (health, dental, vision, etc)
• Fully remote, flexible hours
• A positive remote-work culture 
• Opportunities to learn and grow

Disclaimer: The Company uses automated tools, including artificial intelligence, to support certain aspects of the recruitment process. All hiring decisions are made by Company representatives.