Quality Analyst – SDET (UI + API Automation)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Quality Analyst – SDET (UI + API Automation)

Company: American Express Global Business Travel

Location: Bangalore, India

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Quality Engineering / Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Date Posted: May 15, 2026

Experience Level: 8-12 years total QA experience; 4+ years hands-on automation; 2+ years leadership

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive comprehensive quality engineering within an Agile/Scrum framework, focusing on robust test automation strategies for both UI and API layers.

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable automation frameworks, ensuring high coverage and stability.

• Integrate automated testing suites into CI/CD pipelines to enable continuous integration and delivery processes.

• Oversee defect management, risk assessment, and quality gate definition to minimize production defect leakage.

• Act as a key QA liaison, providing critical quality metrics and reporting to Product, BA, and Engineering stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Quality Analyst with significant SDET responsibilities, indicating a need for strong technical automation skills coupled with strategic quality planning and leadership. The emphasis on UI and API automation, CI/CD integration, and framework design points towards a hands-on technical leadership role within the QA function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute comprehensive test strategies encompassing functional, UI automation, API automation, regression, and integration testing.

• Develop detailed release-level test plans, establish clear quality gates, and define entry/exit criteria for successful product releases.

• Design, implement, and maintain robust, scalable automation frameworks for both UI (Selenium WebDriver) and API (REST Assured preferred) layers.

• Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps) to ensure seamless and efficient testing cycles.

• Enhance automation coverage, reduce manual regression efforts, and actively work to minimize flaky tests and improve overall test stability.

• Ensure thorough test coverage for complex business workflows, integration flows, and end-to-end scenarios.

• Support System Integration Testing (SIT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and production validation activities.

• Maintain a strong Requirement-to-Test Traceability Matrix (RTM) to ensure all requirements are covered by test cases.

• Lead defect triage meetings, analyze defect trends, identify systemic issues, and propose corrective actions.

• Define and implement risk mitigation strategies for high-impact releases and critical system changes.

• Serve as the primary QA point of contact for Product, Business Analysis (BA), and Engineering teams, fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.

• Generate and present quality metrics, dashboard reports, and automation progress updates to stakeholders.

• Collaborate with DevOps teams to optimize CI/CD processes and enhance the efficiency of the testing infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities list is extensive and covers strategic planning, technical execution, process governance, and stakeholder management, all within an Agile context. This indicates a senior-level role where the individual is expected to not only execute but also influence and lead quality initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is typically expected for SDET roles of this seniority.

Experience:

• 8-12 years of total Quality Assurance (QA) experience.

• Minimum of 4+ years of hands-on experience in test automation.

• Minimum of 2+ years of experience leading or mentoring QA teams.

• Proven experience in enterprise or product-based software development environments.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency with Selenium WebDriver for UI automation.

• Extensive experience in REST API automation, with a preference for REST Assured.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing scalable automation frameworks.

• Hands-on experience with CI/CD integration tools such as Jenkins or Azure DevOps.

• Proficiency in SQL for backend data validation and verification.

• Experience utilizing JIRA for defect tracking and project management.

• Experience using Confluence for documentation and knowledge sharing.

• Solid understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies and their application in QA.

• Strong ability in test strategy definition, test planning, and quality gate establishment.

• Experience with defect management, including triage and trend analysis.

• Excellent stakeholder communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to manage parallel releases and coordinate testing efforts effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other automation tools or frameworks.

• Knowledge of performance testing tools and methodologies.

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure).

• Understanding of GDS integrations (Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport).

• Experience with booking lifecycle platforms, mid-office/back-office systems, and financial reconciliation.

• Knowledge of ticketing, exchanges, and refunds workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly delineate between essential technical automation skills (Selenium, API automation, CI/CD) and leadership/process-oriented skills (strategy, planning, mentoring, communication). The strong preference for TMC domain experience is a significant differentiator for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of designed and implemented scalable UI and API automation frameworks, showcasing architecture and key components.

• Examples of automated test scripts and test suites for complex workflows, highlighting efficiency and maintainability.

• Case studies detailing the integration of automation into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, Azure DevOps) and the impact on release cycles.

• Evidence of contributing to or defining test strategies, quality gates, and automation roadmaps for product releases.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow diagrams or documentation illustrating the design and optimization of automation processes.

• Examples of process documentation for maintaining automation framework health and test stability.

• Evidence of RTM (Requirement-to-Test Traceability Matrix) creation and management practices.

• Documentation related to SIT, UAT support, and production validation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior SDET role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase coding proficiency but also strategic thinking regarding test automation, framework design, CI/CD integration, and process improvement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the ROI and efficiency gains achieved through their automation efforts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Quality Analysts/SDETs with 8-12 years of experience, including 4+ years of automation and leadership in Bangalore, India, the estimated annual salary range is ₹15,00,000 to ₹25,00,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skill set, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Health and Welfare Insurance Plans

• Retirement Programs

• Parental Leave

• Adoption Assistance

• Wellbeing Resources

• Travel Perks (weekly deals on flights, hotels, cruises, car rentals)

• Access to a comprehensive learning platform with over 20,000 courses

• Leadership development programs

• Internal job mobility opportunities

• Global INclusion Groups for networking and professional development.

Working Hours: The standard workweek is likely 40 hours. However, the role requires willingness to work in the 2nd shift (3:00 PM IST to 12:00 AM IST) and occasional weekends as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on prevailing market rates for similar roles in Bangalore, considering the experience level and technical specialization. The benefits package is robust and typical for a large multinational corporation, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, professional development, and travel industry perks.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Management (Technology & Services). American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) operates within the dynamic and competitive travel technology sector. They provide corporate travel solutions, aiming to streamline business travel for organizations.

Company Size: Large enterprise (indicated by the comprehensive benefits and global presence). This suggests a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for career progression.

Founded: Amex GBT was established as a joint venture and has evolved significantly. Understanding its history as a major player in corporate travel can provide context for its operational focus on efficiency and reliability.

Team Structure:

• The QA team likely operates within a broader Engineering or Technology department.

• This role is senior, suggesting it may lead a sub-team or be a key individual contributor with significant influence on quality practices.

• Close collaboration with Product Management, Business Analysis, Development, and DevOps teams is expected.

Methodology:

• Agile/Scrum is the primary development methodology, requiring QA to be integrated throughout the sprint cycles.

• Focus on continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), with automation playing a pivotal role.

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing quality metrics and defect analysis to drive improvements.

• Emphasis on proactive quality engineering rather than just reactive testing.

Company Website: https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Amex GBT's focus on corporate travel implies a need for high reliability, data security, and seamless user experiences for business travelers and administrators. The company culture emphasizes employee well-being, professional growth, and inclusion, which are key differentiators for attracting talent in the tech industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Quality Analyst/SDET, representing a mid-to-senior level position. It involves technical leadership, strategic input into quality processes, and potential mentorship of junior team members. The focus is on driving quality through advanced automation and process improvement.

Reporting Structure: The Quality Analyst will likely report to a QA Manager, Test Lead, or Engineering Manager. They will act as a primary QA point of contact for Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Development Leads, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility in project execution.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the reliability, stability, and efficiency of Amex GBT's travel technology platforms. By ensuring high-quality software through robust automation, the QA Analyst contributes to:

• Reduced production defects, leading to improved customer satisfaction and fewer support escalations.

• Faster release cycles due to efficient automated regression testing, enabling quicker delivery of new features.

• Optimized operational costs by minimizing manual testing efforts and preventing costly production issues.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced test automation techniques, performance testing, security testing, or specific cloud technologies relevant to travel platforms.

• Leadership Development: Progress into roles such as Test Lead, QA Manager, or Principal SDET, managing larger teams, defining broader test strategies, or architecting complex automation solutions.

• Domain Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in the Travel Management Company (TMC) domain, understanding the intricacies of booking lifecycles, financial transactions, and GDS integrations.

• Cross-functional Roles: Transition into roles within DevOps, Release Engineering, or even Product Management, leveraging a strong understanding of software development and quality assurance processes.

• Continuous Learning: Utilize the company's extensive learning platform and leadership courses to acquire new skills and knowledge, staying current with industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for both technical and leadership growth within the quality engineering domain, especially given the company's focus on technology and its position in the travel industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the Bangalore office. This suggests a collaborative office environment that balances in-person interaction with remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Bangalore, India. This location is a major technology hub, offering access to a skilled talent pool and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, common areas, and shared workspaces.

• Access to necessary tools and technology for software development and testing will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with development teams, product managers, and other QA engineers will be abundant, promoting knowledge sharing and efficient problem-solving.

• The hybrid model encourages team synchronization for critical discussions, planning sessions, and collaborative problem-solving while allowing for focused work at home.

Work Schedule: While the standard workweek is implied, the requirement to work 2nd shift (3:00 PM IST to 12:00 AM IST) and occasional weekends indicates a need for flexibility and commitment to ensure critical testing activities are covered, especially during release periods or for global support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid aspect with specific office days, combined with the shift requirement, points to a company that values in-person collaboration for certain activities but also offers a degree of flexibility. The shift work is crucial for supporting global operations and development teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on keywords related to SDET, automation (Selenium, API), CI/CD, and relevant domain experience.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect multiple rounds focusing on:

  • Core Automation Concepts: Questions on Selenium WebDriver, API testing principles, framework design patterns, and object-oriented programming.
  • Coding Challenges: Live coding exercises (e.g., writing a Selenium script, designing an API test case, solving a logic puzzle) or take-home assignments.
  • System Design: Discussions on how you would design an automation framework for a given scenario or improve an existing one.
  • SQL & Backend Testing: Questions to assess your ability to validate data through database queries.

• Behavioral Interview: Questions assessing leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, stakeholder management, and cultural fit. Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Hiring Manager/Final Interview: A discussion focused on role expectations, career aspirations, and a final assessment of your suitability for the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 2-3 of your most impactful projects.

Focus on projects where you significantly improved efficiency, coverage, or stability.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The problem or challenge you faced.
  • The solution you designed and implemented (tools, technologies, approach).
  • The results achieved (quantifiable metrics like reduced test time, increased coverage, decreased defect leakage).
  • Your specific role and contributions.

• Demonstrate Technical Depth: Be ready to walk through code snippets, explain framework architecture, and discuss design decisions.

• Highlight Process Improvement: Show how you improved testing processes, integrated automation into workflows, or contributed to CI/CD.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your technical choices, challenges encountered, and lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Proficiency: Brush up on Java/Python (or relevant language), data structures, algorithms, and common programming patterns. Practice coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.

• Automation Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would automate specific UI elements or API endpoints, handle dynamic data, manage test data, and implement reporting.

• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts and articulate your thought process clearly.

• CI/CD Understanding: Familiarize yourself with the concepts and common tools used in CI/CD pipelines for automated testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, with a strong emphasis on practical automation skills and the ability to articulate technical solutions and their business impact. A well-prepared portfolio is essential for demonstrating hands-on experience and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI Automation: Selenium WebDriver (primary focus).

• API Automation: REST Assured (preferred), other REST API automation tools.

• Programming Languages: Java or Python are commonly used for SDET roles.

• Version Control: Git.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Reporting Frameworks: ExtentReports, Allure Reports, or similar for detailed test execution reports.

• Dashboarding Tools: Potentially Tableau, Power BI, or custom dashboards for quality metrics and CI/CD status.

• Defect Tracking: JIRA.

CRM & Automation:

• CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, Azure DevOps.

• Collaboration & Documentation: Confluence.

• Database Tools: SQL clients for backend validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tech stack emphasizes core SDET competencies. Proficiency in Selenium and REST API automation is non-negotiable. Familiarity with CI/CD integration and common development tools is equally important. Experience with the travel domain's specific systems (GDS, booking platforms) would be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality First: A commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable software through rigorous testing and robust automation.

• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing Agile principles, being responsive to change, and continuously iterating on processes and strategies.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across development, product, and business teams to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using metrics and analytics to inform quality strategies and identify areas for improvement.

• Efficiency & Optimization: Continuously seeking ways to improve test processes, reduce cycle times, and increase the ROI of automation efforts.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in Agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) and collaborating closely with developers, BAs, and product owners.

• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent communication channels regarding test progress, risks, and issues.

• Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback within the team and with stakeholders to drive continuous improvement.

• Proactive Engagement: Engaging early in the development lifecycle to identify potential quality issues and influence design from a testing perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a balance of structured processes (especially in a regulated industry like travel) and Agile flexibility. The emphasis on inclusion and employee well-being suggests a supportive and collaborative work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Test Environments: Ensuring stable and representative test environments for both UI and API testing, especially in a large enterprise with many integrations.

• Balancing Automation & Manual Testing: Strategically determining where automation provides the most value versus where manual exploratory testing is more effective.

• Reducing Test Flakiness: Identifying and resolving the root causes of unstable automated tests to maintain confidence in the automation suite.

• Adapting to Rapid Development Cycles: Keeping pace with frequent releases and evolving feature sets while maintaining comprehensive test coverage.

• Domain Complexity: Mastering the intricacies of the travel booking lifecycle, financial reconciliation, and GDS systems to ensure thorough testing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Automation Techniques: Opportunities to explore AI-driven testing, codeless automation, or specialized framework design patterns.

• Performance & Security Testing: Gaining deeper expertise in performance engineering and security testing methodologies relevant to critical travel platforms.

• Cloud & DevOps Integration: Enhancing skills in cloud-native testing strategies and deeper CI/CD pipeline automation.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing skills in leading teams, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to strategic quality initiatives.

• Industry Knowledge: Deepening understanding of the travel technology landscape, including booking engines, GDS, and corporate travel management solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant technical and strategic challenges, typical for a senior position in a large, complex organization. These challenges also translate into substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an automation framework for a new travel booking module, considering both UI and API layers?" (Focus on scalability, maintainability, reporting, and CI/CD integration).

• "Describe a time you significantly improved test coverage or reduced regression time through automation. What was your approach, and what were the results?" (Prepare a specific case study with quantifiable metrics).

• "How do you balance the need for speed in Agile development with the requirement for thorough quality assurance?" (Discuss shift-left testing, risk-based testing, and automation strategies).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for American Express Global Business Travel, specifically in the travel domain?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news. Connect your skills to their industry).

• "Describe your experience working in an Agile/Scrum team. How do you typically collaborate with developers and product owners?" (Provide examples of your active participation in Agile ceremonies and cross-functional communication).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the business problem or objective your project addressed.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use screenshots, diagrams, or even short demo videos to illustrate your automation framework and test execution.

• Quantify Impact: Always present measurable results. Use percentages for coverage increase, time saved, or defect reduction.

• Explain Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your code, design choices, and technical challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical automation skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to articulate the business value of quality engineering.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Quality Analyst – SDET position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your experience with Selenium WebDriver, REST API automation (mentioning REST Assured if applicable), CI/CD tools (Jenkins/Azure DevOps), SQL, JIRA, and Confluence. Highlight any experience in the Travel Management Company (TMC) domain. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Increased automation coverage by X%", "Reduced regression test cycle time by Y hours").

• Craft Your Portfolio: Prepare a concise portfolio showcasing 2-3 key automation projects. For each, include details on the problem, your solution (framework design, code snippets), and quantifiable results. Be ready to present this during the interview process.

• Practice Technical & Behavioral Questions: Rehearse answers to common SDET interview questions, focusing on your approach to automation, framework design, defect management, and leadership. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for behavioral questions.

• Research Amex GBT: Understand the company's mission, values, and position in the travel industry. Familiarize yourself with their technology offerings and the challenges of corporate travel management. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

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