Principal Software Test Engineer

Agile Software Tester

Waters is developing solutions that make a meaningful impact on the world. Waters helps scientists in the fight against cancer, ensures the quality and safety of food and beverages, drives innovation in chemical materials, and helps scientists manufacture innovation for biodegradable plastics, safer cosmetics, and the latest consumer electronics. Waters leads the way in helping scientists find ground-breaking treatments.

In Waters, the Informatics group produces software that is used by people worldwide for specialist measurement and scientific analysis. We are currently seeking an Agile Software Tester to work in one of our development teams. We work in a collaborative, agile environment, where team members are empowered to innovate and continually improve. We believe strongly in the value of personal development, and provide support and dedicated time for our people to pursue this.

This is a great opportunity for someone with a real passion for software testing as part of agile software development, ideally with exposure to automation. In this role, you will be working collaboratively with developers and testers to help ensure delivery of high quality products through the application of effective testing and automation techniques.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a Principal Automation Software Test Engineer to lead and elevate our software quality assurance practices. This role is ideal for a seasoned testing professional who combines deep technical expertise with strategic thinking and leadership capabilities.

• Lead Testing Strategy & Execution: Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive testing strategies using both manual and automated techniques to ensure high-quality software delivery.
• Agile Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional Agile teams—including Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Developers—to define acceptance criteria, refine user stories, and ensure test coverage aligns with business goals.
• Test Automation Leadership: Drive the evolution of our test automation frameworks and tools. Mentor team members in automation best practices and contribute to the development of reusable test assets.
• Quality Advocacy: Champion a quality-first mindset across the development lifecycle. Participate in Agile ceremonies, offering insights during planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
• Community Engagement: Actively contribute to our global testing and automation community, sharing knowledge, tools, and innovations across teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance testing processes, tools, and team capabilities. Lead initiatives that improve efficiency, reliability, and scalability of testing practices.
• Professional Development: Define and pursue a personal development plan aligned with your technical and leadership growth, supported by your manager and learning resources.

Qualifications

Technical Competencies

• Expertise in test automation frameworks
• Strong programming/scripting skills
• Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines and integration of automated tests
• Experience with performance, security, and API testing tools
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)

Agile & Collaboration Skills

• Proven experience working in Agile/Scrum environments
• Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Skilled in backlog grooming, story refinement, and test planning

Leadership & Strategic Thinking

• Ability to define and drive testing strategy at a team or organizational level
• Mentorship and coaching experience
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

Communication & Documentation

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to articulate complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders
• Skilled in documenting test plans, strategies, and reports

Continuous Learning & Innovation

• Passion for staying current with testing trends, tools, and technologies
• Proactive in identifying and implementing process improvements

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in analytical instruments, separations technologies, and software, serving the life, materials, food, and environmental sciences for over 65 years. Our company helps ensure the efficacy of medicines, the safety of food and the purity of water, and the quality and sustainability of products used every day. In over 100 countries, our 7,600+ passionate employees collaborate with customers in laboratories, manufacturing sites, and hospitals to accelerate the benefits of pioneering science.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers, and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.