Sr Director, Software Testing & Performance Engineering

Company Information 

At Advarra, we are passionate about making a difference in the world of clinical research and advancing human health. With a rich history rooted in ethical review services combined with innovative technology solutions and deep industry expertise, we are at the forefront of industry change. A market leader and pioneer, Advarra breaks the silos that impede clinical research, aligning patients, sites, sponsors, and CROs in a connected ecosystem to accelerate trials.  

Company Culture  

Our employees are the heart of Advarra. They are the key to our success and the driving force behind our mission and vision. Our values (Patient-Centric, Ethical, Quality Focused, Collaborative) guide our actions and decisions. Knowing the impact of our work on trial participants and patients, we act with urgency and purpose to advance clinical research so that people can live happier, healthier lives.  

At Advarra, we seek to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone is treated with respect and diverse perspectives are embraced. Treating one another, our clients, and clinical trial participants with empathy and care are key tenets of our culture at Advarra; we are committed to creating a workplace where each employee is not only valued but empowered to thrive and make a meaningful impact. 

Job Overview Summary 

The Senior Director of Software Testing and Performance leads a global, quality-focused organization responsible for enterprise-wide software testing strategy, performance engineering, test automation, quality governance, and release readiness across Advarra’s technology portfolio. 

This leader partners closely with Engineering, Product Management, Cloud/Infrastructure, Security, Compliance, and Operations to ensure scalable, compliant, high-performing, and reliable software delivery. The Senior Director is accountable for translating strategic objectives into operational execution, advancing “shift-left” quality initiatives, and driving continuous improvement across the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to enable predictable, high-quality releases without impeding velocity. 

The role combines hands-on quality and test engineering expertise with strong operational leadership, cross-functional influence, and executive communication. 

Job Duties & Responsibilities 

Strategy & Quality Leadership 

• Define and execute the enterprise software testing and performance engineering strategy aligned with Product & Technology and corporate objectives  

• Champion a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across the SDLC  

• Implement and sustain a risk-based testing approach that drives toward a “zero defects” mindset while maintaining release velocity  

• Advance “quality left” initiatives, embedding testing, automation, and performance validation early in the development lifecycle  

• Establish quality and efficiency metrics for product and process measurement, providing transparent reporting to senior leadership  

Delivery & Operational Excellence 

• Own release test planning, quality gates, defect management practices, and overall release readiness  

• Partner cross-functionally to design, implement, and optimize scalable testing frameworks and operational processes  

• Lead performance engineering initiatives to ensure system scalability, reliability, availability, and resilience 

• Facilitate management reviews of testing performance, quality metrics, and adherence to Quality Management System standards  

• Align staffing, capacity planning, and resource allocation with product roadmaps and business priorities  

Automation & Tooling 

• Set direction for the selection, adoption, and effective use of automated testing tools and performance frameworks  

• Drive modernization of manual and automated test processes to improve efficiency, coverage, and reliability  

• Standardize tooling and processes across teams, including integration of newly acquired technologies where applicable  

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight 

• Ensure testing processes support compliance with applicable regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, ISO 9001/13485, 21 CFR Part 11, CMS)  

• Oversee product and process quality audits and promote best practices across teams  

Organizational Leadership 

• Lead and develop a high-performing, globally distributed team of test engineers and performance specialists  

• Establish annual goals and measurable objectives aligned to corporate priorities  

• Provide mentorship and professional development for directors, managers, and senior engineers  

• Foster Lean-Agile practices and empower teams with decision-making authority at appropriate levels  

• Collaborate with executive leadership, summarizing findings and presenting recommendations clearly and concisely  

Stakeholder & Customer Engagement 

• Partner internally and externally to gather feedback and promote adoption of high-quality, compliant, and reliable solutions  

• Support customer-facing discussions related to quality, performance, and release execution  

• Lead resolution of escalations related to product quality and performance  

Location  

This role is open to candidates working remotely in the United States or Ireland. 

Basic Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field 

• 15+ years of experience in software quality assurance, test engineering, or related disciplines 

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience managing multi-level, global teams  

• Proven experience implementing enterprise test automation frameworks and performance testing architectures  

• Demonstrated experience in release test planning, defect analysis, and SDLC optimization  

• Experience operating in Agile/Lean environments at scale  

• Demonstrated executive presence, including strong communication and stakeholder management skills    

Preferred Qualifications  

• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. 

• Excellent influencing, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills at the senior executive level. 

• Adept at leading teams who evaluate situations, exercise good judgment and discretion, and independently make decisions that are a matter of significance. 

• Previous experience in clinical research or healthcare technology 

• Extensive experience defining goals and objectives for teams that meet the driving business needs of the company. 

• Advanced experience with and innate curiosity about software test engineering, product documentation, end user workflows and systems. 

• Visionary thinker with a desire to excel and inspire others.  

• Proven track record of embracing, leading, and driving change.  

• Demonstrated ability to act as an ambassador for continuous improvement.  

• Demonstrated success leading and helping teams manage high stress situations with professionalism. 

• Self-reliant, passionate, enthusiastic with a focus on driving results.  

• Experience in team building, conflict resolution and problem solving from identification through root cause and resolution.  

• Knowledge of DevOps, Product Management, Portfolio Management, Vendor Management.  

Physical and Mental Requirements 

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time at stationary workstation 

• Regularly carry, raise, and lower objects of up to 10 Lbs.  

• Learn and comprehend basic instructions 

• Focus and attention to tasks and responsibilities 

• Verbal communication; listening and understanding, responding, and speaking  

Advarra is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability or genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  Advarra provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of these protected characteristics. Further, Advarra takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants and employees are treated without regard to any of these protected characteristics in all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and separation from employment.

Pay Transparency Statement   

The base salary range for this role is $144,065 to $329,132. Note that salary may vary based on location, skills, and experience and may vary from the amounts listed above. This position may also be eligible for a variable bonus in addition to base salary as well as health coverage, paid holidays, and other benefits.