QA

Our career map helps you take charge of your professional growth. With 10 growth levels, from L1 to L10, each step features clear milestones to support your development.

Our career map helps you take charge of your professional growth. With 10 growth levels, from L1 to L10, each step features clear milestones to support your development. Open the document as a table ↗

Manual QA

Automation QA

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Individual Contributor

IC-1

QA Intern

Experience

No prior QA experience required. Typically a student or entry-level specialist beginning to explore the field of software testing.

Area of Responsibility

Learns the basics of software testing and participates in the execution of manual test cases under close supervision. Focuses on understanding team processes and QA fundamentals.

Skills

Executes tests from given test cases or checklists
Performs confirmation testing for simple bugs
Understands the basics of defect lifecycle and bug tracking
Familiar with SDLC and common QA vocabulary (based on ISTQB)
Uses browser DevTools to view errors (read-only)
Can record screencasts and take screenshots for bug documentation
Begins exploring test case structure by analogy
Works within the boundaries of predefined team processes
Understands the value of QA to product quality and stakeholders

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IC-2

Junior QA Engineer

Experience

Around 6–12 months of QA experience. Has a basic understanding of the software testing lifecycle and performs manual testing with supervision.

Area of Responsibility

Executes manual testing for simple tasks. Starts creating basic test cases and reports clear, structured bugs. Works closely with developers and other QA team members to ensure functionality meets requirements.

Skills

Performs functional testing using prepared test cases and checklists
Executes confirmation testing for resolved bugs
Writes simple bug reports with clear reproduction steps
Uses bug tracking systems (e.g. Jira) for reporting and tracking issues
Understands basic QA terms: test case, bug, regression, smoke testing
Can navigate DevTools to check console errors (read-only)
Begins writing basic test cases for well-defined features (with review)
Communicates clearly in the team and asks for clarification when needed
Follows test documentation and team workflows

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IC-3

Middle QA Engineer I

Experience

1–2 years of QA experience. Can independently lead testing for standard features. Begins applying structured test design techniques and improves test coverage.

Area of Responsibility

Responsible for planning and executing manual testing for features or modules. Works closely with developers and analysts to clarify requirements and improve product quality.

Skills

Creates structured test cases and checklists based on specifications
Understands and applies test design techniques (e.g. equivalence classes, boundary values, decision tables)
Performs smoke, regression, and confirmation testing with minimal supervision
Identifies inconsistencies in requirements and escalates them
Writes and maintains test documentation (test plans, cases, reports)
Uses DevTools and proxy/sniffer tools for deeper investigation
Performs cross-browser and configuration testing
Understands basics of non-functional testing (e.g. usability, performance)
Prioritizes testing tasks based on risk and impact
Collaborates with development and product to explain test logic
Participates in Agile team rituals, communicates risks and blockers clearly

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IC-4

Middle QA Engineer II

Experience

2–3 years of QA experience. Confident and autonomous tester.

Area of Responsibility

Owns testing for a feature or module. Optimizes test coverage and participates in testing planning.

Skills

Owns and maintains regression test suites
Defines testing strategy for a feature or component
Plans configuration, compatibility, and localization testing
Works with undefined/unclear specs, recreates test oracles
Applies exploratory testing methods
Communicates risks and test coverage gaps
Acts as QA counterpart in Agile team
Uses production/user data to improve test design
Provides input on test estimations and prioritization

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IC-5

Senior QA Engineer I

Experience

3–5 years of QA experience. Leads testing initiatives, mentors others.

Area of Responsibility

Leads test planning and execution for large components. Ensures coverage and quality across complex flows.

Skills

Owns and maintains regression test suites
Defines testing strategy for a feature or component
Plans configuration, compatibility, and localization testing
Works with undefined/unclear specs, recreates test oracles
Applies exploratory testing methods
Communicates risks and test coverage gaps
Acts as QA counterpart in Agile team
Uses production/user data to improve test design
Provides input on test estimations and prioritization

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IC-6

Senior QA Engineer II

Experience

5+ years of QA experience. Recognized QA expert in the team or company.

Area of Responsibility

Oversees QA processes, strategies, and standards for multiple areas or projects.

Skills

Creates test strategies for complex projects
Leads quality initiatives and risk assessments
Drives improvement in test coverage and effectiveness
Sets internal QA guidelines and supports team-wide practices
Defines metrics and monitors QA effectiveness
Works with management on QA process maturity
Experienced in ISO/test standards (e.g., ISO 29119)
Coaches team members, runs knowledge-sharing sessions

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IC-7

Principal QA Engineer

Experience

5+ years of QA experience. Recognized QA expert in the team or company.

Area of Responsibility

Oversees QA processes, strategies, and standards for multiple areas or projects.

Skills

Creates test strategies for complex projects
Leads quality initiatives and risk assessments
Drives improvement in test coverage and effectiveness
Sets internal QA guidelines and supports team-wide practices
Defines metrics and monitors QA effectiveness
Works with management on QA process maturity
Experienced in ISO/test standards (e.g., ISO 29119)
Coaches team members, runs knowledge-sharing sessions

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No items found.

IC-1

Trainee

Experience

Entry-level, little to no prior professional experience in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Learning and applying basic frontend concepts, writing simple components under supervision.

Skills

HTML/CSS: Understanding and using basic HTML elements and CSS styles.
JavaScript: Familiarity with basic JavaScript (ES6+) concepts.
Git: Basic version control operations, understanding of repositories.
Soft Skills: Effective communication, openness to feedback, willingness to learn and improve.

IC-2

Junior

Experience

More then 1 year of experience in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Developing small features, fixing bugs, and understanding project architecture.

Skills

HTML/CSS: Proficient in semantic HTML and CSS preprocessors (e.g., Sass).
JavaScript: Knowledge of ES6+, basic use of libraries like Vue.js or React.
Version Control: Confident use of Git, contributing to code reviews.
Soft Skills: Basic teamwork and communication, handling constructive criticism.

IC-3

Middle I

Experience

More then 2 years of solid frontend experience.

Area of Responsibility

Developing features independently, improving existing components, participating in code reviews.

Skills

JavaScript & Frameworks: Deep knowledge of ES6+, Vue.js ecosystem, understanding UI component libraries.
Coding Practices: Writing clean and maintainable code, understanding coding patterns and principles.
Infrastructure: Familiarity with build tools (Webpack, Babel) and CI/CD pipelines.
Soft Skills: Working well in a team, basic problem-solving and critical thinking.

IC-4

Middle II

Experience

More then 3 years of experience in frontend, capable of handling complex tasks.

Area of Responsibility

Leading feature implementation, optimizing performance, and mentoring juniors.

Skills

Advanced JavaScript: Mastery of core concepts, meta-frameworks, and server-side rendering (SSR).
Testing: Writing unit tests and understanding end-to-end testing frameworks.
Optimization: Improving load times, optimizing SEO, and handling responsive design challenges.
Soft Skills: Effective collaboration, taking initiative, and providing constructive feedback.

IC-5

Senior I

Experience

More then 4 years of frontend development experience.

Area of Responsibility

Designing and implementing complex systems, contributing to architectural decisions.

Skills

Architecture & Patterns: Understanding design patterns, OOP, and functional programming.
Security: Awareness of common vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them.
Performance Tuning: Deep understanding of browser performance and optimization.
Soft Skills: Strong communication, mentoring, and conflict resolution skills.

IC-6

Senior II

Experience

Recognized as an expert in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Driving project quality, ensuring best practices, leading codebase improvements.

Skills

Frontend Mastery: Proficient in multiple frameworks (Vue.js, React, Angular), full understanding of TypeScript.
Code Review & Testing: Leading code reviews, implementing automated testing strategies.
CI/CD & Infrastructure: Advanced setup and maintenance of continuous integration and delivery.
Soft Skills: Strategic thinking, decision-making, and adaptability to change.

IC-7

Principal

Experience

Strategic leader in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Shaping the technical direction, mentoring senior engineers, overseeing large projects.

Skills

Strategic Planning: Defining and implementing frontend strategies, architectural design.
Innovation: Proposing innovative solutions, optimizing frameworks and libraries.
Stakeholder Communication: Effectively interacting with product owners and management.
Soft Skills: High-level collaboration, influencing team direction, handling complex challenges.

IC-8

Tech Lead

Experience

Extensive experience in leading frontend projects and teams.

Area of Responsibility

Technical leadership, architecture design, and ensuring project alignment with company goals.

Skills

Technology Leadership: Guiding the team on technical implementations, making strategic tech decisions.
Code Quality: Establishing and maintaining coding standards, enforcing best practices.
CI/CD & DevOps: Expertise in infrastructure, server configuration, and deployment strategies.
Soft Skills: Effective delegation, inspiring and motivating the team, strategic decision-making.

└──

Individual Contributor

Management

IC-1

AQA Intern

Experience

No previous automation experience required. Typically a student or entry-level specialist beginning to learn programming fundamentals and testing basics.

Area of Responsibility

Learns the basics of test automation under close supervision. Runs existing automated tests, explores tools, and understands how automation fits into the QA process.

Skills

Understands basic Java syntax, data types, loops, conditional statements.
Can run existing automated tests and view results.
Familiar with IDEs, Git client, Chrome DevTools (locators, Network tab).
Can write simple selectors (CSS/XPath) and record basic UI tests.
Understands fundamental testing terminology, bug lifecycle, SDLC.
Uses Postman or browser DevTools to view simple API responses.
Knows what client–server architecture is at a basic level.
Works strictly with predefined frameworks, configurations, and instructions.
Begins learning TestNG/JUnit annotations and how automated tests are structured.
Follows team rules, coding standards, and established testing procedures.

IC-2

Junior AQA Engineer

Experience

6–12 months of experience in automation or QA. Able to write simple automated tests and maintain existing ones.

Area of Responsibility

Implements straightforward automated tests for UI or API. Supports regression suites, fixes test code issues, updates locators, and collaborates with developers when needed.

Skills

Writes simple Java automated tests and updates existing ones.
Works with Selenium/Selenide: basic actions, waits, interactions.
Writes simple TestNG/JUnit tests: fixtures, parameters, configuration files.
Uses Git confidently for basic operations: commits, branches, merges.
Knows how to trigger pipelines in CI/CD and read pipeline logs.
Uses Postman/Curl and browser DevTools for basic API checks.
Can send HTTP requests, validate responses, and create simple API tests.
Applies basic test design: equivalence classes, boundary values.
Uses mobile emulators/simulators and basic cross-browser tools.
Understands JSON, XML, and works with logs to identify issues.
Can follow and implement predefined automation guidelines and test plans.

IC-3

Middle AQA Engineer I

Experience

1–2 years in automation. Works independently on feature-level automation and contributes to improving test stability and coverage.

Area of Responsibility

Responsible for automation of standard features, updating regression suites, improving test structure, and collaborating closely with developers and QA to ensure quality coverage.

Skills

Confident in Java: collections, exceptions, interfaces, annotations, multithreading basics.
Writes stable UI tests: dynamic elements, iframes, custom waits, retry logic.
Understands the connection between Selenium and Selenide.
Comfortable with TestNG/JUnit: groups, dependencies, listeners, parallel execution.
Implements API tests using project modules or libraries.
Creates automated test data through API calls.
Uses sniffers (Charles/Fiddler) and advanced DevTools features.
Can analyze requirements, identify inconsistencies, and clarify expected results.
Designs and maintains well-structured automated test suites.
Understands basic non-functional aspects: performance, usability.
Works with Docker, Linux console, data generators, CI/CD triggers and variables.
Able to take responsibility for regression execution and optimization.

IC-4

Middle AQA Engineer II

Experience

2–3 years in automation. Independent and reliable engineer capable of planning test automation for features or modules.

Area of Responsibility

Owns automation for a component or module, optimizes tests, participates in designing automation strategy, and ensures stable CI/CD execution.

Skills

Deep understanding of Java and test architecture patterns.
Implements complex UI flows and supports mobile automation (Appium).
Builds automation solutions from scratch using frameworks and libraries.
Experienced in API automation using RestAssured/okhttp3, mocks & stubs, WebSockets.
Configures multithreaded runs, custom annotations, parallelism at scale.
Works confidently with containers (Docker), build tools (Maven/Gradle).
Sets up CI/CD steps, runners, and optimizes pipeline execution.
Performs root-cause analysis using logs, proxies, HAR files.
Applies advanced test design techniques: decision tables, pairwise, state diagrams.
Handles unclear requirements and complex business logic.
Uses production data insights to improve automation scenarios.
Participates in Agile ceremonies and communicates risk and coverage clearly.

IC-5

Senior AQA Engineer I

Experience

3–5 years in automation. Leads automation efforts on a project or component. Acts as a mentor to junior and middle engineers.

Area of Responsibility

Leads planning, implementation, and maintenance of automation for large modules or products. Ensures high code quality, reliability, and test coverage.

Skills

Designs and evolves automation frameworks and architecture.
Deep expert in Selenium/Selenide/Appium and related tools.
Automates complex end-to-end scenarios with multiple integrations.
Creates high-quality mock/stub environments, API contracts, and reusable modules.
Optimizes CI/CD pipelines for speed, reliability, and resource usage.
Defines test coverage strategy and reviews the test plan.
Performs performance, accessibility, and usability testing where applicable.
Conducts reviews of third-party applications and proposes quality improvements.
Mentors engineers, conducts code reviews, and enforces automation standards.
Communicates automation strategy to stakeholders and developers.
Identifies testing gaps and proactively improves automation processes.

IC-6

Senior AQA Engineer II

Experience

5+ years in automation. Recognized company-wide as automation expert. Influences standards, architecture, and automation direction across multiple teams.

Area of Responsibility

Oversees automation quality, strategy, and technical decisions across several products. Leads critical quality initiatives and solves high-complexity testing challenges.

Skills

Designs advanced automation architecture for large-scale systems.
Leads complex API and UI automation initiatives across multiple teams.
Deeply experienced in Docker, Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure).
Builds and maintains large automation infrastructure from scratch.
Fully integrates test automation into CI/CD pipelines at scale.
Implements company-wide best practices for automation quality.
Drives improvements in performance testing, security testing, accessibility.
Coaches teams, leads workshops, shares knowledge at organizational level.
Defines metrics and monitors automation health and coverage.
Troubleshoots complex issues spanning architecture, integrations, and data pipelines.
Acts as key automation authority within engineering organization.

IC-7

Principal AQA Engineer

Experience

5+ years of senior-level automation experience. Top-tier technical expert and automation strategist.

Area of Responsibility

Defines automation vision and strategy at an organizational level. Ensures alignment of quality goals across departments. Leads automation architecture for the entire company.

Skills

Shapes long-term automation strategy across all teams and products.
Defines enterprise-level automation standards, principles, and frameworks.
Provides architecture leadership for UI, API, mobile, backend and integrated testing.
Leads large-scale automation transformations, including CI/CD evolution.
Collaborates with CTO/Head of QA/Product & Engineering leadership.
Drives innovation (AI/ML in testing, smart test selection, advanced observability).
Oversees quality metrics and KPIs globally across teams.
Manages risks related to automation scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
Mentors senior engineers and prepares future technical leaders.
Leads cross-functional initiatives to elevate overall engineering quality.
Recognized as authority in automation, testing architecture, and quality strategy.

No items found.

IC-1

Trainee

Experience

Entry-level, little to no prior professional experience in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Learning and applying basic frontend concepts, writing simple components under supervision.

Skills

HTML/CSS: Understanding and using basic HTML elements and CSS styles.
JavaScript: Familiarity with basic JavaScript (ES6+) concepts.
Git: Basic version control operations, understanding of repositories.
Soft Skills: Effective communication, openness to feedback, willingness to learn and improve.

IC-2

Junior

Experience

More then 1 year of experience in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Developing small features, fixing bugs, and understanding project architecture.

Skills

HTML/CSS: Proficient in semantic HTML and CSS preprocessors (e.g., Sass).
JavaScript: Knowledge of ES6+, basic use of libraries like Vue.js or React.
Version Control: Confident use of Git, contributing to code reviews.
Soft Skills: Basic teamwork and communication, handling constructive criticism.

IC-3

Middle I

Experience

More then 2 years of solid frontend experience.

Area of Responsibility

Developing features independently, improving existing components, participating in code reviews.

Skills

JavaScript & Frameworks: Deep knowledge of ES6+, Vue.js ecosystem, understanding UI component libraries.
Coding Practices: Writing clean and maintainable code, understanding coding patterns and principles.
Infrastructure: Familiarity with build tools (Webpack, Babel) and CI/CD pipelines.
Soft Skills: Working well in a team, basic problem-solving and critical thinking.

IC-4

Middle II

Experience

More then 3 years of experience in frontend, capable of handling complex tasks.

Area of Responsibility

Leading feature implementation, optimizing performance, and mentoring juniors.

Skills

Advanced JavaScript: Mastery of core concepts, meta-frameworks, and server-side rendering (SSR).
Testing: Writing unit tests and understanding end-to-end testing frameworks.
Optimization: Improving load times, optimizing SEO, and handling responsive design challenges.
Soft Skills: Effective collaboration, taking initiative, and providing constructive feedback.

IC-5

Senior I

Experience

More then 4 years of frontend development experience.

Area of Responsibility

Designing and implementing complex systems, contributing to architectural decisions.

Skills

Architecture & Patterns: Understanding design patterns, OOP, and functional programming.
Security: Awareness of common vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them.
Performance Tuning: Deep understanding of browser performance and optimization.
Soft Skills: Strong communication, mentoring, and conflict resolution skills.

IC-6

Senior II

Experience

Recognized as an expert in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Driving project quality, ensuring best practices, leading codebase improvements.

Skills

Frontend Mastery: Proficient in multiple frameworks (Vue.js, React, Angular), full understanding of TypeScript.
Code Review & Testing: Leading code reviews, implementing automated testing strategies.
CI/CD & Infrastructure: Advanced setup and maintenance of continuous integration and delivery.
Soft Skills: Strategic thinking, decision-making, and adaptability to change.

IC-7

Principal

Experience

Strategic leader in frontend development.

Area of Responsibility

Shaping the technical direction, mentoring senior engineers, overseeing large projects.

Skills

Strategic Planning: Defining and implementing frontend strategies, architectural design.
Innovation: Proposing innovative solutions, optimizing frameworks and libraries.
Stakeholder Communication: Effectively interacting with product owners and management.
Soft Skills: High-level collaboration, influencing team direction, handling complex challenges.

IC-8

Tech Lead

Experience

Extensive experience in leading frontend projects and teams.

Area of Responsibility

Technical leadership, architecture design, and ensuring project alignment with company goals.

Skills

Technology Leadership: Guiding the team on technical implementations, making strategic tech decisions.
Code Quality: Establishing and maintaining coding standards, enforcing best practices.
CI/CD & DevOps: Expertise in infrastructure, server configuration, and deployment strategies.
Soft Skills: Effective delegation, inspiring and motivating the team, strategic decision-making.

IC-8

Lead AQA Engineer

Experience

Leads test automation strategy across projects or teams. Acts as a technical mentor and decision-maker in the area of quality engineering.

Area of Responsibility

Owns the design and evolution of automation frameworks and pipelines. Leads test architecture initiatives, aligns testing with development and release processes, and ensures quality at scale.

Skills

Test Automation Strategy & Architecture

Defines test automation strategy for multiple teams or subsystems
Builds and maintains scalable, reliable, and efficient test frameworks
Works with flaky tests, environment orchestration, test suite optimization
Leads decisions on tooling, coverage, and maintenance trade-offs

Programming & Design

Expert in Java (or another language), including architecture-level patterns
Combines design patterns (Decorator, Proxy, Adapter, Page Object, MVC)
Integrates mocking (Mockito), dynamic data generation, API stubbing

Advanced Tooling

Implements reporting systems (Allure, ReportPortal) from scratch
Works with advanced test environments (Docker, Selenoid, BrowserStack)
Debugs test infra issues and optimizes for parallelism and reliability

Test Framework Ownership

Designs framework configuration: multithreading, parallelism, grouping
Integrates API/UI/Mobile testing in shared suites
Maintains reusable modules and shared libraries across projects

CI/CD & DevOps Collaboration

Owns test stages in CI/CD: planning, triggering, monitoring, feedback
Works with DevOps to ensure automation stability across environments
Uses metrics (coverage, velocity, defect leakage) to optimize QA efforts

Leadership & Communication

Mentors engineers, reviews technical solutions, leads hiring interviews
Facilitates technical workshops, automation guilds, knowledge sharing
Aligns testing strategy with product and release goals
Participates in proof-of-concepts and introduces innovations

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M-8

QA Team Lead

Experience

5+ years in QA, including experience in manual and/or automation testing. First-level leadership role with hands-on testing background.

Area of Responsibility

Leads a team of QA engineers (manual and/or automation). Ensures test execution quality, team alignment, and delivery readiness. Balances technical involvement with people management.

Skills

Leads daily QA activities: task planning, reviews, bug triage
Mentors team members in test design, automation, and defect analysis
Participates in hiring for the QA team: defines role expectations, interviews candidates, supports onboarding
Owns team rituals: grooming, planning, retrospectives
Ensures testing aligns with sprint and release goals
Manages team workload, capacity, and growth plans
Contributes to QA process improvement and documentation
Tracks and reports key QA metrics (test coverage, bug leakage, stability)
Coordinates test strategy with developers, product, and project managers

‍

M-9

Head of QA

Experience

8–10+ years in QA, including leadership across multiple teams or products. Owns strategic development of QA function.

Area of Responsibility

Defines and drives the overall QA strategy across the company or business unit. Builds a scalable quality function, ensures high product standards, and supports leadership in delivery excellence.

Skills

Builds and scales QA teams and structures (manual, automation, release, performance)
Defines the long-term QA strategy, architecture, tooling, and KPIs
Aligns quality practices with company OKRs and release models
Sets standards for test automation, CI/CD integration, and release readiness
Implements and improves test processes across squads or departments
Manages QA managers and leads, supports their growth and performance
Owns hiring strategy for the QA department: defines hiring plans, approves headcount, and coordinates collaboration with recruitment
Acts as a cross-functional partner to engineering, product, and DevOps
Oversees quality-related budgeting, vendor selection, and tooling decisions
Advocates for quality across the company, including at the executive level
Tracks org-level metrics: defect trends, coverage gaps, release stability, quality risks

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M-8

Team Lead

Experience

Senior-level experience with a focus on leadership and team management.

Area of Responsibility

Managing the frontend team, ensuring project delivery, and aligning with stakeholders.

Skills

Project Management: Planning and coordinating tasks, prioritizing work for team members.
Team Development: Mentoring and coaching, organizing training sessions for skills enhancement.
Communication: Handling stakeholder expectations, managing team dynamics.
Leadership Skills: Decision-making, conflict resolution, and fostering a collaborative environment.

M-9

Head of Frontend

Experience

Extensive experience in both frontend development and leadership.

Area of Responsibility

Overseeing the entire frontend department, defining the vision, and driving strategic initiatives.

Skills

Strategic Leadership: Setting goals, driving innovation, and overseeing large-scale projects.
Process Improvement: Developing and implementing processes to improve team efficiency.
Hiring & Development: Building and growing the team, managing recruitment, and team development.
Executive Communication: Reporting to top management, presenting the department’s achievements and plans.

QA

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