Principal, SW Quality Eng

About the Role

Northern Trust is seeking a Principal, SW Quality Eng to lead and advance testing across the payments, messaging and liquidity testing team. The role requires leadership and deep technical expertise to drive multi-project test strategies, leveraging next-gen automation and AI-driven quality approaches. You will mentor teams, shape automation roadmaps, and ensure high-quality software delivery across portfolios.

What You'll Do

• Provide thought leadership, mentorship, and guidance for test automation across multiple projects
• Drive product quality through testing innovations and process improvements
• Collaborate with BAs, Architects & Developers to design testable applications
• Develop technical roadmaps and plans for enterprise/program test strategies
• Design and manage proof-of-concept studies; identify risks and escalate timely
• Analyze root causes of defects and communicate findings to stakeholders
• Maintain and optimize current test automation suites; extend frameworks for UI, microservices, and API testing
• Lead and mentor junior SDETs to improve technical ability
• Promote automated CI/CD pipelines and ensure adherence to standards
• Accelerate test development using existing assets and best practices; enhance libraries
• Ensure automated tests run early to provide quick feedback and demos to stakeholders
• Manage and measure automated testing metrics and outcomes
• Build and validate end-to-end business workflows within enterprise programs

What We're Looking For

• BS in Computer Science, Engineering, IT or equivalent
• 14-18 years of overall experience with at least 8 years in quality engineering
• 5-8 years of experience leading teams of employees/contractors
• Experience in multi-tiered, complex system design & architecture
• Required Skills: Java, Selenium/LeanFT, BDD (Cucumber/JBehave), TestNG, Eclipse/IntelliJ
• Experience with DevOps/CI-CD toolchains: Bamboo/Jenkins/Concourse, Maven, Git, Bitbucket
• Expert in QA processes, methodologies, forecasting, estimation & ROI analysis
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and attention to detail; able to see broader implications
• Self-starter, adaptable, able to multitask in a dynamic environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with technical and business partners

Nice to Have

• Ability to lead and collaborate in global, cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with Banking/Financial domain
• Experience leading large programs
• Exposure to AI-based QE solutions

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $114,700 - $194,900 USD
• Northern Trust offers comprehensive benefits including retirement (401k and pension), health/dental/vision, spending accounts, disability, paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other well-being benefits
• Discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component