The QA Engineer III is a senior Quality Engineering role responsible for independently leading complex quality engineering efforts across one or more products. This position designs, develops, executes, and maintains manual, automated, API, and performance testing solutions while serving as a technical mentor to QA Engineer I and II team members. The QA Engineer III partners closely with Development, Product, and QA leadership to improve software quality through automation, modern quality engineering practices, and continuous process improvement.
Primary ResponsibilitiesQuality Engineering, Automation & Performance
- Independently design, develop, execute, and maintain automated test suites using modern automation frameworks such as Playwright.
- Design and implement automated performance and load testing solutions to validate application stability, scalability, and reliability.
- Leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve automation productivity, test generation, and engineering efficiency.
- Participate in code reviews, source control best practices, and CI/CD pipeline improvements supporting automated testing.
- Contribute to automation framework enhancements, reusable testing components, and quality engineering standards.
- Lead complex testing efforts while communicating testing strategy, risks, progress, and results to stakeholders.
Functional, API & Manual Testing
- Lead the planning, design, and execution of complex functional, integration, API, regression, exploratory, and performance testing activities.
- Design comprehensive testing strategies for large or complex initiatives.
- Perform test case and test plan reviews to ensure quality, coverage, and traceability.
- Create, manage, and drive resolution of complex software defects.
- Support test environments, backend validation, and test data management.
Technical Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Mentor QA Engineer I and II team members while providing technical guidance and coaching.
- Collaborate with Development, Product, and QA leadership to improve testing processes and support shift-left quality initiatives.
- Evaluate new automation tools, frameworks, and engineering practices and recommend improvements.
- Lead quality engineering improvements that increase automation coverage, efficiency, maintainability, and software quality.
- Assist with modernization initiatives involving automation, AI-assisted testing, CI/CD, and quality engineering practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned by QA management.
- Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or a related field, or equivalent experience in software testing or quality assurance.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in software testing and quality engineering.
- 5+ years of experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, or a similar programming language.
- 5+ years of experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks using Playwright or similar modern automation frameworks.
- Experience using Playwright MCP/CLI or AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Codex, GitHub Copilot, or similar).
- Strong knowledge of test planning, execution, and documentation across functional, regression, integration, API, exploratory, and performance testing.
- Strong understanding of APIs, web services, backend validation, service-level testing strategies, and test automation architecture.
- Strong SQL skills for data validation and test data setup using one or more relational database platforms.
- Experience with Git source control and CI/CD platforms (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar).
- Experience with automated performance testing tools such as NeoLoad, BlazeMeter, JMeter, or similar platforms.
- Experience working within Agile and/or DevOps delivery environments.
- Experience with Tricentis Tosca, QF-Test, or similar commercial automation tools is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex testing initiatives and mentor other QA engineers.
- Excellent analytical, technical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Must work within designated business hours and be available for occasional overtime or weekend work as needed.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or related field, or equivalent experience
- 5+ years progressive experience in software testing and quality engineering
- 5+ years experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, or similar programming language
- 5+ years developing and maintaining automated test frameworks using Playwright or similar
- Experience using Playwright MCP/CLI or AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Codex, GitHub Copilot)
- Strong knowledge of functional, regression, integration, API, exploratory, and performance test planning and execution
- Strong understanding of APIs, web services, backend validation, and service-level testing strategies
- Strong SQL skills for data validation and test data setup on relational databases
- Experience with Git source control and CI/CD platforms (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar)
- Experience with automated performance testing tools such as NeoLoad, BlazeMeter, JMeter, or similar
- Experience working within Agile and/or DevOps delivery environments
- Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex testing initiatives and mentor QA engineers
- Experience with Tricentis Tosca, QF-Test, or similar commercial automation tools
- Must work within designated business hours and be available for occasional overtime or weekend work
Menards Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Menards and has not been reviewed or approved by Menards.
-
Strong & Reliable Incentives — Weekend premium pay and a weekly pay cadence are presented as consistent boosts to take‑home pay, with profit sharing and periodic bonuses further augmenting earnings when eligible. These elements help overall compensation feel more competitive for retail roles.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time and salaried materials list paid time off and paid holidays, with salaried roles also offering parental leave and sabbatical eligibility after extended tenure. This breadth creates structured time‑away options beyond basic schedules.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — A store discount, education programs, an employee assistance program, the Calm app, and gym/commuter discounts are detailed in company materials. These lifestyle perks provide value outside of base wages.
Menards Insights
What We Do
Menards home improvement stores are conveniently located throughout the Midwest in a 14-state region. From the novice do-it-yourselfer to the experienced contractor, Menards has something for everyone! As a family-owned and operated business, Menards is truly dedicated to service and quality and is the place to "Save BIG Money!" on all your home improvement needs. As an employer, Menards provides the tools and training that are needed to ensure that we provide great customer service, in stores or online. Menards offers exceptional advancement opportunities, a positive work environment, and great pay and benefits! If you are a hard-working, goal-oriented person, we have opportunities for you! Apply today in person at your local site or online.
