First Vice President, QA Engineering

PennyMac • Westlake Village, CA

69d • Onsite

About The Position

PENNYMAC Pennymac (NYSE: PFSI) is a specialty financial services firm with a comprehensive mortgage platform and integrated business focused on the production and servicing of U.S. mortgage loans and the management of investments related to the U.S. mortgage market. At Pennymac, our people are the foundation of our success and at the heart of our dynamic work culture. Together, we work towards a unified goal of helping millions of Americans achieve aspirations of homeownership through the complete mortgage journey. A Typical Day We are seeking a visionary and results-driven Director of Quality Assurance to lead our software development quality assurance and engineering efforts within the dynamic mortgage industry. You will be instrumental in defining and executing a comprehensive quality strategy that leverages cutting-edge AI and test automation, drives cost optimization, and ensures the delivery of high-quality, compliant mortgage software solutions. This leadership role demands a blend of deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and excellent cross-functional collaboration to navigate the complexities of mortgage technology development and deliver impactful results.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; a Master's degree is highly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in software quality assurance or quality engineering within the mortgage or financial technology industry.
• Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role, with a proven track record of leading and scaling quality engineering teams.
• Deep expertise in software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, DevOps), testing methodologies, and quality best practices.
• Hands-on experience implementing and managing AI and test automation solutions, with a strong understanding of relevant tools, frameworks, and techniques.
• Strong financial acumen and demonstrated ability to manage budgets, optimize costs, and demonstrate ROI for technology investments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication (both written and verbal), and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

• Thorough understanding of the mortgage industry, including loan origination systems, servicing platforms, regulatory compliance (e.g., TRID, RESPA, CFPB), and industry standards like those from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic quality engineering roadmap for our mortgage software products, aligning with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Champion a quality-first mindset throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), fostering a culture of excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement among engineering and QA teams.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of quality engineers, promoting professional growth and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI and test automation.
• Drive the adoption and integration of AI and machine learning techniques within the software testing process, focusing on areas such as: Intelligent test case generation and optimization. AI-powered visual testing for user interfaces and experience. Predictive analytics to identify potential defects early in the SDLC.
• Lead the development and implementation of advanced test automation frameworks for our mortgage software, ensuring high test coverage, efficiency, and scalability across platforms.
• Evaluate, select, and integrate AI-driven testing tools and platforms, demonstrating a clear understanding of their ROI and impact on overall quality and cost.
• Ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI models within testing, addressing data governance, and bias detection.
• Proactively identify opportunities to optimize quality assurance costs through the strategic application of AI, automation, and efficient resource allocation.
• Define and track key quality metrics and KPIs, utilizing data-driven insights to evaluate the effectiveness of quality initiatives and demonstrate a quantifiable ROI on technology investments.
• Manage the QA engineering budget effectively, prioritizing investments that align with strategic objectives and maximize efficiency.
• Implement strategies to streamline test environment management, minimizing infrastructure costs and maximizing utilization.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with product management, engineering, DevOps, and other cross-functional teams to embed quality throughout the SDLC and ensure successful product delivery.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, quality strategies, and AI-driven insights clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, stakeholders, and external partners.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off Programs including vacation, holidays, illness, and parental leave
• Wellness Programs, Employee Recognition Programs, and onsite gyms and cafe style dining (select locations)
• Retirement benefits, life insurance, 401k match, and tuition reimbursement
• Philanthropy Programs including matching gifts, volunteer grants, charitable grants and corporate sponsorships

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees