below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays less than
86%
of similar roles. Most pay
$165,000–$216,025
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$150k
versus about
$191k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Cognizant
Cognizant is a multinational IT services and consulting company offering digital transformation, technology, and business process services. It serves clients across financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and other industries worldwide.
Cognizant currently has
397 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$100,000–$135,000
across 262 roles with salary data.
The Program Manager – Quality Engineering & Automation joins the Quality Engineering & Assurance team to lead enterprise-scale testing programs across complex technology environments. This role involves defining enterprise testing strategies for functional, integration, system, and regression testing while overseeing test automation roadmaps and continuous improvement. Key responsibilities include driving program governance, managing multiple workstreams, and aligning testing priorities with business objectives. The candidate will utilize tools such as Selenium, Playwright, Tosca, and UFT, while applying knowledge of SQL, data validation, and ALM/Test Management systems. The position focuses on driving modern Quality Engineering practices like shift-left testing and CI/CD integration. Additionally, the role involves supporting GenAI-enabled capabilities for test design and defect analysis to solve complex delivery risks and improve overall release quality.
What does a Program Manager earn?
Median $170659 from 121 postings across 21 companies.
Lead end-to-end Quality Engineering and testing programs across multiple applications and platforms.
Define and drive enterprise testing strategies for functional, integration, system, and regression testing.
Oversee test automation programs including strategy, roadmap, implementation, and continuous improvement.
Drive program governance by managing milestones, dependencies, risks, resources, and executive reporting.
Implement modern Quality Engineering practices like shift-left testing and continuous testing in CI/CD environments.
Support the adoption of GenAI-enabled capabilities for test design, data generation, and defect analysis.
Establish KPIs and quality metrics to monitor testing progress, automation, and release quality.
Perform data testing including validation, reconciliation, and source-to-target mapping using SQL.
What we're looking for
20+ years of extensive experience in Program Management, Quality Engineering, Software Testing, or related technology delivery disciplines.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
Strong program management capabilities including planning, governance, stakeholder management, resource planning, risk management, and executive reporting.
Demonstrated experience defining and implementing enterprise automation testing strategies across complex applications and technology landscapes.
Proven experience driving test automation initiatives or transformation programs, including automation planning, adoption, governance, and measurement.
Experience with automation tools or frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, Tosca, UFT, or similar technologies.
Working knowledge of data testing concepts, including data validation, reconciliation, transformation/mapping, database validation, and SQL.
Basic understanding of GenAI and its applications within Quality Engineering and software testing.
Experience with ALM/Test Management and defect-management tools.
Understanding of Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and modern software delivery practices.
Excellent communication, leadership, stakeholder-management, and executive presentation skills.
Life Sciences or Pharmaceutical industry experience (preferred).
Experience leading enterprise Quality Engineering transformation programs (preferred).
Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines (preferred).
Experience with API, integration, performance, or data testing (preferred).
Exposure to AI-assisted testing, including test design, test generation, test-data generation, intelligent regression, or defect analysis (preferred).
Experience establishing Testing or Quality Engineering Centers of Excellence (preferred).
PMP, ISTQB, Agile/Scrum, or related professional certifications (preferred).