IT Software Engineer 5 (Lead)

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for an IT Software Engineer 5 (Lead). The work will be done hybrid in Chicago, Illinois, with 2 days per week in the office. Candidates must be willing to transition to full-time onsite if required. This is a 12-month position that can lead to permanent employment with our client. Compensation is up to $115.00/hour + full benefits (vision, dental, health insurance, 401k, and holiday pay).Job SummaryWe are seeking an experienced Lead IT Software Engineer (Lead SDET) to drive software quality initiatives for a growing autonomy platform. This role will lead the design and expansion of enterprise automation frameworks, define testing strategies, mentor Quality Engineers, and collaborate across multiple engineering teams to deliver high-quality software. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in automation with proven leadership experience managing and guiding QA teams in an Agile environment.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the design, development, and enhancement of automated testing frameworks using Java and JavaScript.Define test strategies, test plans, and automation approaches based on business requirements and acceptance criteria.Develop and maintain API, integration, and end-to-end automated test suites for enterprise software applications.Mentor and provide technical leadership to Quality Engineers while promoting automation best practices and software quality standards.Collaborate with product owners, developers, and cross-functional teams to resolve issues, improve testing processes, and support CI/CD initiatives.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.10+ years of experience in software quality engineering, automation, or SDET roles.5+ years of experience in a technical leadership role leading teams of Quality Engineers.Strong experience with Java and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) frameworks such as Cucumber or JBehave.Extensive experience designing and maintaining automated testing frameworks.Strong experience testing REST APIs, full-stack applications, and end-to-end system integrations.Experience writing SQL queries and validating database-driven applications.Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Jenkins, Git, and DevOps best practices.Excellent leadership, communication, mentoring, and collaboration skills.Preferred QualificationsHands-on experience with Python.AWS Cloud development or testing experience.Experience with JMeter for performance and load testing.Familiarity with API gateways such as Apigee.Experience working within Agile development teams.Knowledge of microservices architecture.Strong documentation and technical leadership experience.Why This Role?This position offers an opportunity to lead software quality engineering efforts for advanced autonomous technology initiatives while mentoring a team of engineers and shaping enterprise automation strategy. You'll collaborate with cross-functional technical leaders, influence testing best practices, and contribute to the delivery of innovative software solutions. Cullerton Group provides a professional environment with long-term career growth, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits.