The RoleThe Application Modernization Testing COE Lead is responsible for establishing, leading, and scaling a global Testing Center of Excellence that enables high-quality, low-risk modernization of enterprise applications across mainframe, distributed, cloud, SaaS, and custom application landscapes.
The role owns the testing strategy, governance framework, automation architecture, agentic AI testing capabilities, quality standards, reusable assets, and delivery model required to support large-scale application modernization initiatives. The COE Lead serves as the executive quality authority for modernization programs and drives adoption of automation-first, AI-enabled, and DevSecOps-integrated testing practices across the enterprise
Key Responsibilities:Testing COE Strategy & Leadership- Define and execute the enterprise testing vision for application modernization programs.
- Establish a scalable Testing COE operating model supporting multiple modernization engagements.
- Create testing standards, methodologies, governance processes, templates, accelerators, and reusable assets.
- Drive continuous improvement of testing practices through automation, AI, and modern quality engineering approaches.
- Develop a multi-year roadmap for testing modernization capabilities
Application Modernization Quality AssuranceDefine quality strategies for:
- Mainframe modernization
- Cloud transformation
- Monolith decomposition
- API modernization
- ERP modernization
- Custom application modernization
• Establish validation approaches for:
- Functional equivalency
- Regression testing
- Integration testing
- Data migration validation
- Performance testing
- Security testing
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Ensure modernization programs achieve business continuity and production readiness objectives.
Automation & Agentic AI TestingDefine enterprise-wide automation architecture and tooling standards.
Lead implementation of:
- Test automation frameworks
- API automation
- Performance automation
- CI/CD quality gates
- Service virtualization
- Synthetic test data generation
Drive adoption of Agentic AI capabilities including:
- Test case generation
- Test data creation
- Defect triage agents
- Test execution optimization
- Equivalence validation agents
Establish measurable automation adoption and coverage objectives.
Governance, Metrics & Delivery Assurance- Define quality policies, KPIs, reporting standards, and executive dashboards.
- Establish entry and exit criteria for testing phases and go-live readiness.
- Monitor program-level quality risks and remediation plans.
- Lead quality reviews, release readiness assessments, and audit compliance activities.
- Serve as the escalation point for major testing, quality, and release risks
Who You AreYou're good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important - you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused - someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you're open and borderless - naturally inclusive in how you work with others.
Required QualificationsRequired Experience
- 15+ years of software testing, quality engineering, or application delivery experience.
- 8+ years leading enterprise-scale testing organizations or COEs.
- Proven experience supporting large-scale application modernization initiatives.
Experience leading testing across:
- Mainframe applications
- Distributed platforms
- Cloud-native environments
- SaaS ecosystems
- Demonstrated success building global delivery organizations and governance frameworks.
- Experience managing executive stakeholders and complex transformation programs.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in financial services, insurance, healthcare, telecommunications, or other regulated industries.
- Understanding of compliance frameworks and audit requirements.
Industry certifications such as:- ISTQB Advanced
- Certified Agile Tester
- SAFe Agilist
- AWS/Azure Cloud Certifications
- DevOps Certifications
Experience with Agentic SDLC and AI-driven software engineering practices
The compensation range for this position in the US is $143,640 to $273,000 based on a full-time schedule. Your actual compensation may vary depending on your geography, job-related skills, and experience. For part-time roles, the compensation will be adjusted appropriately. The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city, or local minimum wage requirement.
This position will be eligible for Kyndryl's discretionary annual bonus program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Kyndryl's applicable plans. You may also receive a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical and dental coverage, disability, retirement benefits, paid leave and paid time off. Note: if this is a sales commission eligible role, you will be eligible to participate in a sales commission plan in lieu of the annual discretionary bonus program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Get Referred!If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked 'How Did You Hear About Us' during the application process, select 'Employee Referral' and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.
