VP, Principal II Test Engineer (JRI-5348)

The Japan Research Institute (JRI) Limited is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group. SMBC Group is a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management. JRI provides comprehensive, highly value-added information services through the coordinated application of its 3 functions. i.e. information systems, consulting and think-tank. As a system integrator, JRI offers services in IT strategy planning, implementation and outsourcing to a broad range of industries and activities. JRI Singapore currently supports the overall IT functions of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Asia Pacific Region.

Responsibilities

• Test Planning and Strategy
  • Develop and implement the overall test strategy and test plans for projects or programs.
  • Define the scope, objectives, and deliverables of testing activities.
  • Identify and allocate resources (people, tools, and environments) required for testing.
  • Estimate effort, timelines, and costs for testing activities.

• Team Leadership and Management
  • Lead and manage the testing team (internal/external, onshore/offshore), and other stakeholders during project/program implementation.
  • Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members based on their skills and expertise.
  • Mentor and coach team members to improve their skills and performance.
  • Foster a collaborative and productive team environment.

• Test Process Management
  • Define, implement, and enforce testing processes, standards, and best practices.
  • Continuously improve testing processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Test Execution Oversight
  • Plan and manage the test environments and test data requirements.
  • Oversee the execution of test cases, including functional, regression, connectivity, SIT, UAT, security and performance testing.
  • Ensure that testing is aligned with project requirements and timelines.
  • Monitor and manage defects, ensuring they are logged, tracked, and resolved in a timely manner.

• Stakeholder Communication
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all testing-related matters.
  • Communicate testing progress, risks, and issues to project managers, developers, and other stakeholders.
  • Provide regular status reports and metrics to senior management.

• Risk Management
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to testing activities.
  • Develop contingency plans for critical testing scenarios.
  • Ensure that risks are documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

• Test Automation and Tools
  • Promote the use of test automation to improve efficiency and coverage.
  • Work with Automation Test team to oversee the development and maintenance of automated test scripts.

• Quality Assurance
  • Ensure that testing activities align with the organization's quality standards.
  • Conduct root cause analysis of defects and implement preventive measures.
  • Promote a culture of quality and accountability within the team.

• Budget and Resource Management
  • Manage the testing budget, including tooling, training, and resource allocation.
  • Optimize resource utilization to ensure cost-effective testing.
  • Plan for future resource needs based on project pipelines and organizational growth.

• Reporting and Metrics
  • Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to provide visibility into testing activities and outcomes.
  • Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as test coverage, defect density, and test execution rates.
  • Use data-driven insights to improve testing processes and outcomes.

• Compliance and Documentation
  • Ensure that all testing activities are properly documented and auditable.
  • Maintain a repository of test artifacts, including test plans, test cases, and test results.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements, particularly around data security and transaction integrity.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in software testing, with at least 5 years in test management roles.
• Proven track record in large-scale digital banking or financial services projects, ideally involving internet or mobile banking platforms for corporate or institutional customers.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong experience in managing multi-vendor, distributed testing teams.
• In-depth knowledge of software testing methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, DevOps), especially Waterfall.
• Proficiency in test management tools (e.g. JIRA).
• Experience with test automation tools preferred (e.g. Selenium, ARIOS, UFT).
• Analytical mindset with a focus on problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of security, compliance, and regulatory requirements in the financial industry.
• Certifications such as ISTQB Advanced Level, PMP, or Agile Certifications are often preferred.