Lead Software Engineer/Senior Lead Software Engineer/ Principal Software Engineer Quality Assurance - UX & Frontend Framework (IFS Technology)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Software Engineer / Senior Lead Software Engineer / Principal Software Engineer, Quality Assurance - UX & Frontend Framework (IFS Technology) Company: IFS Location: Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka Job Type: Full-time Category: Quality Assurance / Frontend Framework Development Date Posted: September 10, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• This role involves leading and mentoring a team of developers and QA engineers to elevate quality assurance standards within the IFS R&D Technology UX & Frontend Framework team.
• Key responsibilities include enhancing development efficiency through coaching on Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Shift-Left practices, and upskilling quality assurance engineers.
• Accountable for the stability and effectiveness of CI/CD integration processes, aiming to minimize false positives and negatives in automated testing.
• Critical analysis and evaluation of various automated tests (unit, integration, UI) using frameworks such as Jest and Cypress, with a focus on code reviews and process improvement.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions for an Angular-based web application framework used by internal teams, partners, and customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title structure (Lead, Senior Lead, Principal) indicates a potential for varying levels of responsibility and scope within the role, suggesting opportunities for individuals with different levels of senior leadership experience in QA and frontend development. The focus on "UX & Frontend Framework" highlights a specialized area within software development, requiring deep expertise in user experience principles and framework architecture.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Coach team members on Test-Driven Development (TDD) and other Shift-Left testing methodologies to improve development efficiency and early defect detection.
• Upskill and mentor quality assurance engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and quality ownership.
• Contribute to the management of test data and maintain comprehensive test documentation to ensure testability and reproducibility.
• Lead and participate actively in code reviews to uphold high quality assurance standards and share best practices.
• Monitor and critically analyze the team's quality processes and policies, identifying areas for improvement and implementing enhancements.
• Ensure the stability and reliability of CI/CD integration processes, promoting initiatives to reduce false positives and negatives in automated test suites.
• Critically evaluate automated tests (unit, integration, UI) using frameworks like Jest, Cypress, or similar, providing feedback and driving improvements.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, backend developers, and DevOps engineers, to deliver robust and scalable solutions.
• Ensure appropriate testing strategies (regression, performance, security, usability) are applied at the optimal stages of the development lifecycle.
• Proactively detect and address issues and risks in project development and processes, starting from the design phase.
• Write, execute, and maintain test cases to guarantee the reliability, functionality, and quality of the Angular-based web application framework.
• Identify, document, and track software defects, working collaboratively with the development team to ensure timely and effective resolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, leadership-oriented approach to Quality Assurance, moving beyond traditional testing to actively influencing development practices, CI/CD pipelines, and team skill development. The focus on "Shift-Left" practices and early risk detection is a key indicator of a modern, mature QA function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of professional working experience in software development, with a proven track record in enterprise-grade software environments.
• Demonstrated experience in guiding and mentoring team members to achieve well-defined goals, irrespective of their role.
• Proven ability to maintain composure and focus on company objectives, even under pressure.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of Quality Assurance (QA) processes, industry best practices, comprehensive testing techniques, and various testing methodologies.
• Proficiency in test data management strategies and the creation of detailed test documentation.
• Hands-on experience with Test-Driven Development (TDD) or other test-first development approaches.
• Expertise in TypeScript/JavaScript and modern web technologies for frontend development.
• Proven experience with automated testing tools and frameworks such as Jest, Cypress, or similar.
• Solid knowledge of version control systems, with a strong preference for Git.
• Excellent troubleshooting, debugging, and code optimization skills.
• Practical experience working within CI/CD pipelines for continuous integration and deployment workflows.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, essential for effective teamwork in an agile development environment.
• Familiarity with containerized development environments (e.g., Docker).
• Understanding of low-level and high-level testing principles and their application.

Preferred Skills:

• Any ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) Certification.
• Direct experience with Angular framework development and frontend web client framework architecture.
• Solid understanding of reactive programming concepts, specifically RxJS, and the ability to manage risks associated with asynchronous operations.
• Knowledge in UI, performance, security, and usability testing is highly advantageous.
• Expertise in HTML5 and CSS3 for building responsive and modern web applications.
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts, Agents, and an interest in Large Language Models (LLMs).

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 7+ years of experience with enterprise-grade software, combined with specific technical skills like TDD, Jest, Cypress, TypeScript/JavaScript, and CI/CD, positions this role for a senior or principal-level candidate. The inclusion of preferred skills in Angular, RxJS, and AI/LLMs suggests a forward-looking team focused on cutting-edge framework development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of test automation frameworks you have designed, implemented, or significantly contributed to, demonstrating efficiency and maintainability.
• Provide case studies detailing your involvement in improving QA processes, such as implementing TDD or Shift-Left strategies, with measurable outcomes.
• Present evidence of contributions to CI/CD pipeline stability and optimization, illustrating how you reduced test execution time or improved detection accuracy.
• Include examples of your work in test data management and comprehensive test documentation, highlighting clarity and utility for development and QA teams.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate your ability to document complex testing processes, including test strategy, test execution, defect management, and reporting, with a focus on clarity and actionable insights.
• Showcase experience in creating and maintaining documentation for automated test suites, including setup, execution, and maintenance guidelines.
• Provide examples of how you have documented process improvements and their impact on team efficiency and product quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, the emphasis on responsibilities like coaching, process monitoring, and code reviews implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies and contributions through examples during the interview process. The ability to articulate process improvements and demonstrate their impact will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior/Lead/Principal Software Engineers with 7+ years of experience in Quality Assurance and Frontend Framework development in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the estimated annual salary range is LKR 5,000,000 - LKR 9,000,000. This range can vary based on the specific level (Lead, Senior Lead, Principal), the candidate's precise experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package reflective of experience and role seniority.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology and enterprise software solutions.
• Global, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
• Commitment to sustainability and making a positive impact on the world.
• Hybrid work flexibility to support diverse needs and lifestyles.
• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.
• Potential for career advancement within a growing international company.
• Collaborative team environment focused on innovation and achieving results.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.
• The company embraces flexibility and hybrid work opportunities, suggesting a degree of autonomy in how and when work is completed, provided objectives are met and team collaboration is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is not explicitly stated, hence the estimate is based on typical compensation for similar roles in the specified region and experience level. The additional information section highlights a strong emphasis on flexibility and a positive work environment, which are key benefits for professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Enterprise Software Solutions, with a significant focus on AI technology. IFS provides solutions for various sectors, including Manufacturing, Distribution, Service Management, and Aviation. Company Size: IFS is a large enterprise, described as a billion-dollar revenue company with over 7000+ employees globally. This scale offers stability and opportunities for diverse career paths. Founded: While the founding date isn't provided, IFS has a long-standing presence in the enterprise software market, indicating a mature and established organization.

Team Structure:

• The role resides within the IFS R&D Technology UX & Frontend Framework team.
• This team is responsible for developing a core Angular-based web application framework that serves as a foundation for numerous IFS product development teams, partners, and customers.
• The position involves leadership and mentorship, implying interaction with and guidance for other developers and QA engineers.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams (designers, backend developers, DevOps) is a key aspect of the role.

Methodology:

• The team operates within an agile development environment.
• There is a strong emphasis on modern development practices such as Test-Driven Development (TDD) and "Shift-Left" testing.
• CI/CD pipelines are integral to the team's workflow for continuous integration and deployment.
• The company actively promotes internal AI adoption and innovation, suggesting a forward-thinking approach to technology.

Company Website: ifs.com

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS positions itself as a technology leader leveraging AI, with a commitment to sustainability and global impact. The company culture emphasizes diversity, inclusion, innovation, and a "winning team" mentality, encouraging employees to "Make Your Moment." The "Team Purple" branding suggests a distinct company identity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior to principal engineering level, specifically within Quality Assurance and Frontend Framework development. It offers leadership opportunities, mentoring responsibilities, and a chance to influence technical direction and quality standards. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, a Lead/Senior/Principal Engineer typically reports to a Team Lead, Engineering Manager, or Director of Engineering. They are expected to guide and influence peers and potentially junior team members. Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the quality, efficiency, and scalability of the core IFS web application framework. By enhancing development efficiency and improving quality processes, the engineer contributes to faster product delivery, reduced technical debt, and a better user experience for IFS's extensive customer base and internal development teams.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Angular, frontend frameworks, automated testing tools, and AI/LLM integration within enterprise software.
• Leadership Development: Progress into management roles, leading larger teams or specialized QA functions, or transition into principal engineering roles with broader technical influence.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse product teams, understanding their unique challenges and contributing to their success through the framework.
• Industry Best Practices: Continuously learn and implement leading QA methodologies, CI/CD practices, and emerging technologies within a global enterprise context.
• Mentorship: Develop strong mentoring skills by guiding junior engineers and contributing to the overall skill uplift of the QA function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tiered job titles suggest a clear career progression path within IFS for quality assurance and frontend engineering. The emphasis on coaching and process improvement indicates a focus on developing future leaders and technical experts.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: IFS embraces a hybrid work model, balancing the benefits of in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. This suggests a modern approach to workplace design and employee support. Office Location(s): Primarily based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, but IFS operates globally with offices on all continents.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is described as flexible and hybrid, allowing employees to work in a way that suits them best while fostering collaboration and community.
• The emphasis on fostering a sense of community, driving innovation, and strengthening connections indicates an environment that values face-to-face interaction and team building alongside individual work.
• Access to modern technology and tools is implied, given the company's focus on AI and enterprise software.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely aligning with the Asia/Colombo timezone.
• The hybrid model offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between structured work time and personal needs, provided team objectives and collaboration requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's explicit mention of embracing flexibility and hybrid work, while also valuing inclusive workplace experiences and fostering community, points to a supportive and modern work environment designed to attract and retain talent.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a recruiter or HR representative to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Technical Interviews: Expect multiple rounds focusing on technical skills. This will likely include:
  • QA Fundamentals: Discussions on testing methodologies, TDD, Shift-Left, test data management, and defect lifecycle.
  • Automation Expertise: Deep dives into Jest, Cypress, or similar frameworks, including practical coding challenges or discussions on framework design.
  • Frontend Frameworks: Questions related to Angular, TypeScript, JavaScript, RxJS, HTML, and CSS, focusing on framework architecture and best practices.
  • CI/CD & DevOps: Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, Git, and how QA integrates into the deployment process.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Interviews focusing on your ability to coach, mentor, lead code reviews, and improve team processes. Behavioral questions assessing problem-solving, communication, and composure under pressure are expected.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Scenario-based questions exploring how you would collaborate with designers, backend developers, and DevOps.
• Final Round: May involve senior leadership or a panel interview to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio to clearly present distinct projects or contributions. For each, outline the problem, your approach (methodologies, tools), your specific role and contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• QA Process Improvement: Highlight instances where you implemented TDD, improved test coverage, reduced false positives/negatives, or enhanced CI/CD integration. Quantify the improvements (e.g., "reduced regression testing time by 30%," "decreased critical bugs found in production by 15%").
• Automation Frameworks: Showcase your experience with Jest, Cypress, or similar. If you built or contributed to a framework, explain its architecture, key features, and how it improved efficiency or maintainability. Provide snippets of well-structured, maintainable test code.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Include examples of how you've coached junior team members, led code reviews, or influenced process changes. Describe the impact of your leadership on team performance and quality culture.
• Frontend Expertise: If relevant, include examples of your work with Angular, demonstrating complex UI components, state management, or performance optimizations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenges: Be prepared for practical coding exercises focused on JavaScript/TypeScript, automated testing (e.g., writing tests for a given component using Jest/Cypress), or debugging scenarios.
• Process Design: You might be asked to outline a test strategy for a new feature or propose improvements to an existing QA process or CI/CD pipeline.
• Behavioral/Situational: Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for questions related to leadership, conflict resolution, handling pressure, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on leadership and process improvement, expect interviewers to probe deeply into your experience with mentoring, influencing change, and driving quality initiatives beyond just execution. A strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and how QA integrates at every stage will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• JavaScript/TypeScript: Core languages for frontend development and testing.
• Angular: Primary framework for the web application.
• Jest / Cypress (or similar): Essential for automated unit, integration, and UI testing. Candidates should be proficient in at least one, ideally with knowledge of others.
• Git: Standard for version control.
• CI/CD Tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps): Experience integrating automated tests into pipelines is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Testing Framework Reporting: Tools integrated with Jest/Cypress for generating test execution reports.
• Defect Tracking Systems (e.g., Jira): For identifying, documenting, and tracking software defects.
• Performance/Security Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools for performance (e.g., Lighthouse, WebPageTest) and security testing is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• IFS Applications: While not a direct tool requirement for this QA role, understanding IFS's enterprise software context is beneficial.
• Workflow Automation: Experience with automating tasks within the development and QA lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, and at least one major automated testing framework (Jest, Cypress) is paramount. Experience with CI/CD integration and Git is also a strong requirement. Familiarity with performance, security, and usability testing tools would be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality First: A deep-seated commitment to delivering high-quality software, with an emphasis on proactive quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with designers, developers, and DevOps to achieve shared goals, fostering open communication and mutual respect.
• Innovation & Continuous Learning: Embracing new technologies, methodologies (like TDD, AI/LLMs), and actively seeking opportunities to learn and grow.
• Efficiency & Process Optimization: A drive to streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and improve the overall efficiency of the development and QA processes.
• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for the quality of the framework and driving initiatives to address issues and risks proactively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in discussions and planning sessions with different departments to ensure quality is built-in from the start.
• Constructive Feedback: Providing and receiving feedback openly during code reviews and process discussions to foster improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to mentor junior colleagues, share best practices, and contribute to a collective knowledge base within the team.
• Agile Mindset: Adapting to changing requirements and embracing iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (diversity, innovation, sustainability, making an impact) combined with the role's focus on quality, efficiency, and leadership suggest a culture that values expertise, collaboration, and proactive contribution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Leading Quality Initiatives: Effectively coaching and influencing team members on adopting new testing practices and improving existing processes.
• Maintaining Framework Quality: Ensuring the robustness, scalability, and maintainability of a core web application framework used across multiple product lines.
• CI/CD Pipeline Stability: Proactively managing and improving CI/CD pipelines to ensure reliability and minimize false positives/negatives.
• Integrating New Technologies: Staying abreast of and potentially integrating emerging technologies like AI/LLMs into the framework and testing strategies.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: Effectively managing the trade-offs between rapid development cycles and maintaining high-quality standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced QA Methodologies: Deepen knowledge in areas like performance testing, security testing, usability testing, and advanced test automation strategies.
• Frontend Framework Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in Angular and frontend architecture, potentially contributing to the evolution of the framework itself.
• AI/LLM Integration: Gain practical experience with AI technologies and their application in software development and quality assurance.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Develop strong leadership skills through guiding and mentoring team members, and potentially taking on more formal leadership roles.
• Industry Certifications: Pursue certifications like ISTQB Advanced Level or specialized training in automation tools or cloud technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for technical and leadership growth, particularly for individuals passionate about quality, automation, and modern frontend development within an AI-driven enterprise context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• QA Process Improvement: "Describe a time you improved a team's testing process or introduced a new testing methodology (like TDD). What was the impact?" Prepare to discuss your role in implementing Shift-Left practices and improving CI/CD pipeline stability.
• Mentorship & Leadership: "How do you coach junior engineers on quality best practices?" or "How do you handle disagreements during code reviews?" Be ready to provide examples of your leadership and mentoring experiences.
• Problem-Solving: "Describe a complex bug you found. How did you approach diagnosing and resolving it?" or "How would you ensure the quality of a new feature in our Angular framework?" Focus on your analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Collaboration: "How do you collaborate with developers and designers to ensure quality?" Be prepared to discuss your experience working in cross-functional, agile teams.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research IFS's products, AI initiatives, and company values (diversity, sustainability, innovation).
• Understand the "Moment of Service" concept and how quality assurance contributes to it.
• Prepare to articulate how your approach aligns with IFS's culture of making an impact and embracing flexibility.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Case Study Approach: For each key project or contribution, use the STAR method. Clearly state the context, your specific task or challenge, the actions you took (emphasizing your QA methodologies, automation skills, and leadership), and the quantifiable results or impact.
• Demonstrate Technical Prowess: Be ready to discuss your code review process, your approach to test automation framework design, and your experience with Jest/Cypress and Angular. If possible, have code snippets or diagrams ready to illustrate your points.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., reduced bug count, improved test execution time, increased team efficiency).
• Address Leadership: Be prepared to discuss your experience in mentoring, upskilling others, and driving process improvements within a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interviewers to assess not just your technical skills but also your strategic thinking regarding quality, your leadership potential, and your ability to integrate into IFS's collaborative and innovative culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 7+ years of experience in enterprise software, specifically mentioning your skills in Quality Assurance, Test-Driven Development (TDD), automated testing (Jest, Cypress), JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, and CI/CD. Use keywords from the job description.
• Portfolio Preparation: Assemble examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to lead QA efforts, improve processes, implement automation, and mentor team members. Be ready to discuss these examples in detail, focusing on the impact and results achieved.
• Technical Skill Review: Refresh your knowledge of JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, Jest/Cypress, Git, and CI/CD principles. Practice coding exercises relevant to frontend testing and debugging.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with IFS, its products, its AI strategy, and its company culture. Understand how your role contributes to the broader company mission.
• Interview Practice: Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method and be ready to articulate your approach to technical challenges and team leadership.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.