Consultant, Test Automation Lead (Ruby)

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

If you’re passionate about being part of a dynamic organization that enables a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales to drive innovation and adopt new technologies that deliver business results, then Nationwide’s Technology team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care. What We’re Looking For We’re looking for a Test Lead with a solid understanding of Personal Lines insurance products and workflows, particularly in product pricing functionality. Experience with Guidewire PolicyCenter is highly desirable. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and brings strong leadership and technical expertise in application development within Agile/Scrum environments. You’ll play a key role in driving quality assurance efforts, collaborating across teams, and continuously improving testing processes to ensure high-quality product delivery. Key Responsibilities This role is responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive test strategy aligned with Agile and Scrum practices. You will define scope, objectives, test levels, techniques, and resources, while creating detailed test plans that outline schedules, deliverables, and required environments. You will lead and mentor the QA team within the Scrum line, assigning tasks, setting priorities, and monitoring progress. Collaboration with developers, business analysts, and product owners will be essential to design effective test scenarios and cases based on user stories and acceptance criteria. Testing responsibilities include functional, integration, regression, performance, and backend data validation, as well as executing both manual and automated tests. The role also manages defect tracking and resolution using tools such as JIRA or Spira, participates in defect triage and root cause analysis, and ensures all testing adheres to quality standards and best practices. Continuous improvement is expected through the evaluation of testing processes, effective communication across teams and time zones, and regular status updates to stakeholders. Familiarity with test automation frameworks, Agile methodologies, TDD, and CI/CD practices is essential. Skills & Qualifications Strong knowledge of software testing principles and Agile/Scrum frameworks. Experience with test management tools (e.g., JIRA, Spira). Familiarity with automation tools and scripting (Ruby/Tosca). Excellent communication and leadership skills. This role will be filled in a hybrid capacity, with in-office collaboration in our Columbus, OH office 2 days per week. This role does not qualify for employer-sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the Stem OPT Extension program. #LI-KR1 Job Description Summary If you’re enthusiastic about delivering secure technology solutions to support a company providing extraordinary care to its customers, then Nationwide Technology is the place for you. Nationwide's industry-leading technology workforce embraces an agile work environment and a collaborative culture to deliver outstanding solutions and results. If that sounds like something you aspire to, we want to hear from you! As a Software Engineer, you will focus on mentoring and leading others to deliver high quality, cost-effective technology solutions to business partners by crafting new software applications or modifying and/or supporting existing packaged or custom-built applications. Job Description Key Responsibilities: Responsible for applying secure software and systems engineering practices throughout the delivery lifecycle to ensure our data and technology solutions are protected from threats and vulnerabilities. Mentors and trains other team members on design techniques, tools and coding standards. Provides strategic advice on using technology to achieve goals. Drives cross-collaboration and execution of projects across multiple teams. Analyzes, solutions, develops, tests, debugs, documents and deploys software according to standards and optimal practices. Champions the use of DevSecOps practices, tooling and techniques. Ensures continuous learning and improvement through ongoing training, practice and innovation. Manages individual project priorities, deadlines and deliverables. May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Reporting Relationships: Reports to a Technology Manager/Director. Typical Skills and Experiences: Education: Undergraduate studies in computer science, management information systems, mathematics or related field is strongly preferred. Experience: Six years of experience in programming and systems analysis. Three years of experience in project management is preferred. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Hands-on technical leadership experience leading project teams and setting technical direction. Proficiency in one programming language such as Java, C++, Python, JavaScript. Knowledge of software development lifecycle. Proven ability to tackle sophisticated business and development problems. Ability to thrive in a team environment. Insurance/financial services industry knowledge a plus. Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner. Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values. Job Conditions: Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt) Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Associates may have on-call responsibility after normal working hours and/or on weekends. ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of software testing principles and Agile/Scrum frameworks.
Experience with test management tools (e.g., JIRA, Spira).
Familiarity with automation tools and scripting (Ruby/Tosca).
Excellent communication and leadership skills.
Six years of experience in programming and systems analysis.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of Personal Lines insurance products and workflows, particularly in product pricing functionality.
Experience with Guidewire PolicyCenter is highly desirable.
Three years of experience in project management is preferred.
Insurance/financial services industry knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

Developing and maintaining a comprehensive test strategy aligned with Agile and Scrum practices.
Defining scope, objectives, test levels, techniques, and resources, while creating detailed test plans that outline schedules, deliverables, and required environments.
Leading and mentoring the QA team within the Scrum line, assigning tasks, setting priorities, and monitoring progress.
Collaborating with developers, business analysts, and product owners to design effective test scenarios and cases based on user stories and acceptance criteria.
Testing responsibilities include functional, integration, regression, performance, and backend data validation, as well as executing both manual and automated tests.
Managing defect tracking and resolution using tools such as JIRA or Spira, participates in defect triage and root cause analysis, and ensures all testing adheres to quality standards and best practices.
Evaluating testing processes, effective communication across teams and time zones, and regular status updates to stakeholders.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision
life insurance
short and long term disability coverage
paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date
nine paid holidays
8 hours of Lifetime paid time off
8 hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
company-paid pension plan
business casual attire