Application Modernization Testing COE Lead

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on every day. So why work at Kyndryl? We are always moving forward – always pushing ourselves to go further in our efforts to build a more equitable, inclusive world for our employees, our customers and our communities.

The Role

The 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 Assurance

Define 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 Testing

Define 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

Your Future at Kyndryl

Every position at Kyndryl is an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We’re committed to your growth and development—because when you succeed, we succeed. In this role, you’ll gain exposure to global projects, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic initiatives that shape the future of businesses worldwide. Your career path doesn’t stop here. Whether you want to deepen your expertise, broaden your skills, or move into leadership, we’ll support you with learning programs, mentorship, and opportunities to take on new challenges. At Kyndryl, your future is yours to shape.

Kyndryl currently does not require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, however, if you are hired to work at a client, customer, or partner location, you may be required to show proof of vaccination to align with their respective COVID-19 vaccination policies.  Those who believe they are eligible may apply for a medical or religious accommodation prior to the start of employment.

Who You Are

You’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 Qualifications

Required 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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 

Being You

Diversity is a whole lot more than what we look like or where we come from, it’s how we think and who we are. We welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. But we’re not doing it single-handily: Our Kyndryl Inclusion Networks are only one of many ways we create a workplace where all Kyndryls can find and provide support and advice. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you – and everyone next to you – the ability to bring your whole self to work, individually and collectively, and support the activation of our equitable culture. That’s the Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

With state-of-the-art resources and Fortune 100 clients, every day is an opportunity to innovate, build new capabilities, new relationships, new processes, and new value. Kyndryl cares about your well-being and prides itself on offering benefits that give you choice, reflect the diversity of our employees and support you and your family through the moments that matter – wherever you are in your life journey. Our employee learning programs give you access to the best learning in the industry to receive certifications, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Skillsoft, and many more. Through our company-wide volunteering and giving platform, you can donate, start fundraisers, volunteer, and search over 2 million non-profit organizations.  At Kyndryl, we invest heavily in you, we want you to succeed so that together, we will all succeed.

Get Referred!
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