Head of Software Development Engineer for Test (SDET) - Cross-AssetAbout the Role IEX is seeking a senior Quality Engineering leader to scale and lead a best-in-class testing and automation program across our equities and options exchanges.
Our QA function has grown quickly to support expanding product and platform capabilities. While we've made progress, much of our testing remains manual or partially automated, and our tooling and environments are not yet standardized across asset classes. We are looking for a leader who can unify and elevate our approach - driving a scalable, multi-asset testing strategy that supports continued growth.
This role will own the end-to-end QA strategy across equities and options, modernize our automation framework, and establish a robust regression environment capable of supporting highly available, production-grade systems. You'll partner closely with Engineering, Product, Market Operations, and Data teams, and play a critical role in improving reliability, efficiency, and release confidence across the organization.
What You'll Do - Own and execute the vision for a unified, cross-asset QA and automation strategy across equities and options
- Lead the build-out and standardization of a scalable test harness that can be leveraged across both asset classes
- Drive the organization from a partially automated environment toward a mature, automation-first testing model
- Establish and enforce a comprehensive regression testing framework, including full regression suites run regularly against production-grade QA environments
- Evaluate and evolve current tooling (e.g., Selenium, DSL frameworks, in-house tools) and determine the right long-term automation architecture
- Ensure QA environments mirror production in strength and resiliency, while thoughtfully managing cost and infrastructure trade-offs
- Partner with Engineering and Product to translate requirements into robust automated and manual test coverage
- Leverage modern tools, including AI-assisted testing approaches, to improve efficiency and coverage
- Unify and scale a QA team currently split across asset classes into a cohesive, high-performing organization
- Act as a change agent - driving accountability, closing implementation gaps, and ensuring initiatives are completed end-to-end
- Mentor and develop existing QA leads and managers, elevating technical and operational standards across the team
What We're Looking For: - 10+ years of experience in Quality Assurance / Quality Engineering
- Direct experience supporting equities and options trading systems (experience strongly preferred)
- Proven track record implementing or significantly upgrading a testing automation program in a regulated, low-latency environment
- Experience building or leading development of a test harness (in-house or third-party) at scale
- Demonstrated success driving organizations from manual or partially automated testing to robust automation and regression frameworks
- Strong understanding of exchange, trading platform, or market infrastructure environments
- Proficiency working with Java and C-based applications; familiarity with KDB is a plus
- Experience managing QA teams (ideally 15-30+ people), including multi-site or hybrid teams
- Ability to balance technical depth with strategic leadership - not purely a player-coach, but someone who can set direction and drive execution
- Change agent mentality - able to challenge the status quo and drive measurable improvement
Why You Should Apply: - New hire stock equity (RSUs)
- 100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting annual base pay is between $275,000k and $300,000k for this NY-based position. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The annual base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role is eligible for bonus and equity.
