Sr Consultant, Quality Engineer

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Columbus, OH

14d•$149,000 - $262,000•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. This role will work a hybrid schedule coming into the Columbus, Ohio office 2 days per week on Wednesdays & Thursdays. The Annuity Modernization Program Test Lead will serve as the senior quality engineering leader for the multi‑year Annuity Modernization initiative, focused on implementing a new annuity policy administration platform and its supporting ecosystem (data, integrations, workflow, and correspondence). This role expands upon the standard Test Lead responsibilities to provide end‑to-end ownership of testing strategy and execution for a large, complex, highly visible transformation program. This role operates in a Scaled Agile environment and works closely with the QE Lead, ALIP Test Lead, Value Stream Test Leads, Agile Delivery Leads, and external partners to deliver high‑quality, production‑ready capabilities. Expanded Scope and Responsibilities (Additive to Standard Test Lead Description) In addition to Nationwide’s standard Test Lead responsibilities, the Annuity Modernization Program Test Lead will: Own implementation of the Annuity Modernization Master Test Strategy across all program testing phases (smoke, epic, feature, capability, and UAT certification), ensuring alignment to the documented test objectives, scope, and approach for the program. Be accountable for end‑to‑end test strategy and planning for the Annuity Modernization solution, including: Core annuity product functionality and calculation engine Inbound and outbound integrations (APIs, streaming, batch/files) Annuity Data Platform and data staging Connected upstream and downstream systems for end‑to‑end scenarios. Lead test execution and reporting for the program , ensuring test progress, defect trends, risk/issue status, and test readiness are transparently reported into program governance and status forums. Coordinate and align multiple testing teams (platform, horizontal, and value stream) to a single, coherent test plan, including ALIP platform testing, horizontal integration testing, and value‑stream end‑to‑end testing, in partnership with the QE Lead and ALIP Test Lead. Drive test automation and regression strategy for the program, including: Identifying regression suites at epic, feature, and capability levels Partnering with QE and platform teams to design and maintain automated regression coverage for core annuity calculations, integrations, and key user journeys Ensuring automation is integrated into the CI/CD pipeline as defined in the test strategy. Oversee Test Data Management (TDM) and Test Environment Management (TEM) needs for the program , ensuring environments and data support planned test phases (including ALIP code drops, integration testing, performance testing, and UAT), in line with the documented TDM/TEM approach. Partner closely with Agile and program leadership (e.g., RTE, Agile Delivery Leads, Product Management, Solution Architecture) to: Embed testing considerations in epic/feature planning and refinement Support dependency management and risk mitigation Align test scope to business value and MVP definitions. Provide leadership for vendor and multi‑location testing teams , including coordinating with strategic implementation partners and, as applicable, India‑based lines (e.g., Test Lead and QE associates) to ensure consistent standards, practices, and reporting across teams. Contribute to and refine the overarching test strategy over time , ensuring lessons learned, metrics, and production feedback are incorporated into ongoing test planning and risk management for the program. Experience and Skills Addendum (Program‑Specific Emphasis) Demonstrated expertise in test strategy and execution within a scaled Agile environment , including planning and delivering across iterative code drops, sprints, and multi‑phase test cycles (smoke, epic, feature, capability, UAT). Hands‑on leadership of automation‑forward quality engineering practices , including regression automation, integration/API testing, performance/scalability testing, and defect management processes for complex platforms. Experience leading and influencing cross‑functional and vendor teams , preferably including offshore or nearshore teams, with a track record of aligning multiple test teams to a single master test strategy and reporting framework. Strong communication and executive‑level reporting skills , with the ability to clearly synthesize testing health, risks, and impacts for program leadership, governance forums, and key stakeholders. #LI-AC1 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 Quality Engineer you will plan and conduct a wide range of software quality tests and analyzes to ensure all application products and services meet organizational standards aligned to their quality management approach, as well as, end-user requirements. All Quality Engineers perform quality planning, quality design and execution. You will focus on a blend of skills enabling efficient execution of risk-based testing, test automation, performance testing, test data management, test environment management, continuous integration and continuous deployment all improving speed to delivery for our business partners.

Requirements

Undergraduate studies in computer science, management information systems, or a related field is preferred.
Ten years of experience using test optimization and automation processes and tools.
Demonstrated experience in testing for agile teams including planning, test plan creation, maintenance and execution.
Strong understanding of test automation and optimization throughout a stack and the tools to support.
Understanding of performance testing, the methodology for making script optimization decisions, supported by appropriate tools.
Strong analytical and communication skills, knowledge of planning.
Ability to work on multiple projects, problem solve and set priorities needed.
Demonstrated expertise in test strategy and execution within a scaled Agile environment , including planning and delivering across iterative code drops, sprints, and multi‑phase test cycles (smoke, epic, feature, capability, UAT).
Hands‑on leadership of automation‑forward quality engineering practices , including regression automation, integration/API testing, performance/scalability testing, and defect management processes for complex platforms.
Experience leading and influencing cross‑functional and vendor teams , preferably including offshore or nearshore teams, with a track record of aligning multiple test teams to a single master test strategy and reporting framework.
Strong communication and executive‑level reporting skills , with the ability to clearly synthesize testing health, risks, and impacts for program leadership, governance forums, and key stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Technology certifications including TOSCA Automated Specialist 1 (AS1), TOSCA Automated Specialist 2 (AS2), or other related designations are preferred.
Insurance/financial services industry knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

Accountable for procedures to ensure all information systems products and services meet organization standards and end-user requirements.
Serves as the top analysis expert and reviews requirements, user stories and technical work products to create the automation needed.
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.
Defines and manages complex test plans, strategies, results reporting and metrics.
Uses the appropriate quality engineering tools to define test data management, test automation, security/vulnerability, performance, and regression testing needs.
Responsible for complex defects including identifying, tracking, and providing critical thinking for resolution.
Considers and leads the end users’ experience during the software development life cycle.
With expert knowledge is proactive in managing leading indicators of quality in test plans and approaches while ensuring speed and efficiency.
Partners with Infrastructure & Operations and Architecture on test data and environment management plans.
Sets for the release test strategy (including all release life cycle testing phases).
Responsible for the coordination of all release testing efforts (including all phases of testing during the release life cycle).
Aligns with the Nationwide automated testing reference architecture.
Complies with release management process governance and timelines throughout the release.
Demonstrates hands-on experience with test data and test environment strategy creation.
Acts as a source of direction for teams and associates.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

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