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Director, Software Engineering: Software Development Test (SDET)

The Options Clearing Corporation
parental leave, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), remote work
United States, Texas, Dallas
Apr 26, 2026

To be considered for this position, applications and resumes are accepted only through our careers site by directly applying to the posted job. We do not accept unsolicited resumes or sales solicitations from staffing agencies. Any OCC employee wishing to submit a referral must do so through their Workday account. Any resume submitted outside of an active job posting will not be considered for employment.

What You'll Do:

The Director, Quality Engineering - TDM & Environment Engineering is a senior technical leadership role within the EQM Platform & Enablement organization. This position owns the strategy, architecture, and delivery of two critical quality engineering capabilities: AI-assisted Test Data Management (TDM) and Environment Engineering governance.

The Director will lead the design and operationalization of an integrated, AI-powered TDM platform capable of generating and governing over 10 million structured data points across the Ovation program - closing critical test coverage gaps through intelligent scenario discovery, synthetic data generation, and full test-to-data traceability. Simultaneously, the Director will establish Infrastructure as Code (IaC) standards and one-click environment deployment practices that eliminate environment-driven test delays across the enterprise.

A defining expectation of this role is deep, hands-on expertise in AI agentic tools - particularly Claude Code - and the ability to design and embed AI-driven workflows across the full software delivery lifecycle: from requirements analysis and test case generation, through test data creation, automation scripting, CI/CD pipeline integration, pull request governance, and results analysis. Candidates should be able to demonstrate not just familiarity with these tools, but practical experience deploying them in enterprise engineering environments.

This role is not an execution role - it is a capability-building and standards-setting function that operates across all five testing organizations at OCC.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.

Test Data Management - AI-Assisted Coverage Platform

  • Define and own the enterprise TDM strategy for the Ovation program, covering synthetic data generation, AI-assisted gap analysis, and end-to-end test-to-data traceability across all integrated systems.

  • Architect and lead delivery of the AI-powered TDM platform built on a shared Claude Code agent framework, Git-based canonical dataset repository, versioned prompt library, and SME-governed data lifecycle (Draft Validated Active Deprecated Archived).

  • Drive intelligent coverage gap analysis by mining production data - including FIXML (Financial Information eXchange Markup Language) trade files, daily snapshots, reference data, and corporate actions - to identify missing trade types, uncovered edge cases, stress patterns, and negative scenarios, targeting 30-40 new scenarios per week.

  • Lead scenario modelling in partnership with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to define business rules and validate AI-generated scenarios before dataset generation, ensuring every dataset reflects production-realistic constraints.

  • Oversee the generation of multi-day FIXML canonical datasets using Claude Code agents and FIXGEN (OCC's internal synthetic data generation utility), with automated validation gates for schema compliance, business rule adherence, data quality, and masking/compliance requirements. Target scale: 10 million+ governed data points across all program pillars.

  • Establish full test-to-data traceability: Requirements Scenarios Datasets Test Cases Execution, published as a real-time coverage dashboard.

  • Govern dataset lifecycle and weekly refresh cycles, ensuring 100% of promoted datasets are versioned, masked, compliant, and SME-approved through data governance workflows.

  • Apply AI-driven defect analysis to identify data conditions responsible for repeat or systemic test failures and generate targeted datasets for edge case and negative scenario coverage.

  • Lead the convergence of the TDM and SIT Automation pillars through the shared AI framework, ensuring datasets generated by the TDM platform are immediately consumable by the automation pipeline.

AI Agentic Integration Across the SDLC

This is a defining differentiator of this role. The Director is expected to design and implement AI-driven workflows that inject intelligence at every phase of the software delivery lifecycle:

  • Requirements Test Case Generation: Configure Claude Code agents to analyze requirement documents and user stories and automatically recommend or draft test case outlines, reducing manual test design effort and improving coverage completeness.

  • Test Case TDM: Automate the linkage between approved test cases and dataset generation requests, so that new test cases trigger corresponding data generation workflows without manual handoff.

  • TDM Test Automation: Ensure generated datasets are structured and tagged to be immediately consumable by the Cucumber/BDD automation framework, with traceability maintained end-to-end.

  • CI/CD Pipeline Integration: Embed AI-assisted validation, data refresh, and test selection logic directly into Jenkins CI pipelines - enabling intelligent regression selection, automated data provisioning on deployment, and real-time coverage reporting.

  • Pull Request Governance: Design and enforce AI-assisted review checkpoints in the pull request (PR) process - including automated test coverage checks, dataset availability validation, and code quality signals - before code is merged.

  • Results Analysis: Implement AI-powered test result analysis to automatically classify failures (environment issues vs. application defects vs. data gaps), prioritize defect triage, and surface patterns that inform the next TDM generation cycle.

  • Partner with engineering leads across the Ovation program to drive adoption of agentic AI tooling within existing SDLC workflows, establishing standards for prompt governance, output validation, and human-in-the-loop review requirements.

Environment Engineering - Governance & IaC

  • Define and own the environment engineering strategy for the Ovation program, establishing governance standards, environment availability SLAs, and one-click deployment capabilities across all test environments.

  • Lead the adoption and operationalization of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices - including Terraform and Jenkins-based pipeline configuration - to enable consistent, repeatable, and auditable environment provisioning across BUAT (Business User Acceptance Testing), SIT (System Integration Testing), and regression testing contexts.

  • Establish one-click environment deployment standards that reduce manual provisioning effort, eliminate configuration drift, and support rapid environment recovery and parallel testing demands.

  • Define and enforce environmental entry/exit gate adherence and release readiness criteria, ensuring testing teams are never blocked by unplanned environment unavailability.

  • Own environment availability metrics, tracking and publishing the percentage of scheduled testing time that each environment was operational, and driving continuous improvement against SLA targets.

  • Partner with Production Operations and Environment Operations (EnvOps) teams clearly define scope boundaries between application quality regression, environment issue escalation, and production support.

  • Govern environment configuration for all testing phases, including Harness-based deployment orchestration and CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery) pipeline integration.

Quality Engineering Leadership & Governance

  • Define and own end-to-end test strategy for Ovation applications, covering functional, integration, and data validation testing across all program pillars.

  • Lead system integration testing (SIT) and regression testing across multiple applications, ensuring optimal test coverage and data-backed quality signal.

  • Drive an automation-first approach using the Cucumber/BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) automation framework across UI, API, batch, and Kafka messaging layers, integrated through Jenkins CI nightly pipelines.

  • Govern quality gates, testing observability, and metrics - contributing TDM coverage and environment availability data to the EQM enterprise metrics framework.

  • Lead defect triage, root cause analysis, and drive defect prevention initiatives with a focus on data-driven defect closure acceleration.

  • Oversee release testing readiness, ensuring environment and data dependencies are resolved prior to test execution windows.

  • Perform application and project risk analysis; recommend quality improvements based on coverage, defect, and environment availability trends.

  • Participate in Agile sprint planning, story review, and retrospectives as a quality engineering stakeholder - actively contributing to acceptance criteria definition and requirements completeness.

Team Leadership & Development

  • Direct one or more teams responsible for TDM design, dataset generation, environment configuration, and automated test execution.

  • Partner with Cognizant and other vendor resources to ensure IaC delivery and dataset generation milestones are met within program timelines.

  • Work with individual team members to understand career interests and support growth through Individual Development Plans (IDPs), mentoring, and technical coaching.

  • Provide accurate timelines to stakeholders and ensure deliverables meet quality standards without compromising program schedule.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Directs one or more team(s) responsible for design of test cases, automation and execution of testing

  • Work with individual team members to understand their career interests and help them grow by providing guidance and mentorship

  • Guide, mentor and help team members to grow using Individual Development Plan and other tools

Qualifications:

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

Required

  • [Required] Deep expertise in Test Data Management (TDM) strategy and execution, including synthetic data generation, data masking, lifecycle governance, and requirements-to-dataset traceability frameworks.

  • [Required] Demonstrated hands-on experience with AI agentic tools - specifically tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or equivalent - including the ability to design, configure, and govern agentic workflows within an enterprise software delivery lifecycle.

  • [Required] Proven experience embedding AI-assisted automation into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins), pull request review processes, and test results analysis workflows.

  • [Required] Experience applying AI and machine learning techniques to test data generation, coverage gap analysis, defect pattern recognition, and edge case scenario identification.

  • [Required] Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools and principles - including Terraform and Jenkins pipeline configuration - and one-click environment deployment practices.

  • [Required] Advanced knowledge of SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) and quality engineering methodologies under both Waterfall and Agile frameworks.

  • [Required] Strong experience with BDD/TDD (Behavior-Driven Development / Test-Driven Development) and Cucumber-based automation frameworks in Java, JavaScript, or Python.

  • [Required] Experience with testing and SDLC tools including Jira, Jenkins, Cucumber, SpiraTest / Zephyr / TestRail / ALM, and CI/CD pipeline orchestration.

  • [Required] Proficiency with relational databases and query tools (SQL Server, Oracle, DB2).

  • [Required] Proven ability to manage small- and large-scale projects with strong analytical and written/verbal communication skills.

  • [Required] Prior management experience leading small to medium-sized teams (5-20) with a demonstrated track record of delivery.

  • [Required] Experience with AWS / GCP / Azure cloud deployments, microservices architectures, and event-driven application patterns.

Preferred

  • [Preferred] Experience with FIXML (Financial Information eXchange Markup Language) trade data formats and financial services testing environments, including clearing, risk, or derivatives domain knowledge.

  • [Preferred] Familiarity with synthetic financial data generation tools or equivalent enterprise-scale dataset generation pipelines.

  • [Preferred] Prior experience with Derivatives Quality Assurance, including Risk and Clearing application testing.

  • [Preferred] 10+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Engineering, or related IT disciplines.

  • [Preferred] Experience building or governing enterprise dataset repositories with version control, compliance workflows, masking standards, and audit trail requirements.

  • [Preferred] Familiarity with Tableau or equivalent dashboard tooling for real-time coverage and quality metrics visualization.

  • [Preferred] Experience governing AI-generated outputs in a regulated financial services or enterprise compliance context.

Technical Skills:

  • [Required] Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools and principles - including Terraform and Jenkins pipeline configuration - and one-click environment deployment practices.

  • [Required] Advanced knowledge of SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) and quality engineering methodologies under both Waterfall and Agile frameworks.

  • [Required] Strong experience with BDD/TDD (Behavior-Driven Development / Test-Driven Development) and Cucumber-based automation frameworks in Java, JavaScript, or Python.

  • [Required] Experience with testing and SDLC tools including Jira, Jenkins, Cucumber, SpiraTest / Zephyr / TestRail / ALM, and CI/CD pipeline orchestration.

  • [Required] Proficiency with relational databases and query tools (SQL Server, Oracle, DB2).

Education and/or Experience:

  • [Required] Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

  • [Preferred] Test management experience leading small to large projects and development of enterprise test plans.

  • [Preferred] 10+ years of combined experience in Quality Assurance, Project Management, or related IT disciplines.

Certificates or Licenses:

  • None Required

About Us

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com.

Benefits

A highly collaborative and supportive environment developed to encourage work-life balance and employee wellness. Some of these components include:

  • A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work
  • Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance
  • Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely
  • Generous PTO and Parental leave
  • 401k Employer Match
  • Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision

Visit https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together for more information.

Compensation

  • The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.
  • In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
  • We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers
  • All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

Salary Range

$158,600.00 - $263,700.00

Incentive Range

23% to 30%

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.

Step 1
When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please complete the application andattach your resume.

Step 2
You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.

Step 3
If you are called in for an interview, a representative from OCC will contact you to set up a date, time, and location.

For more information about OCC, please click here.

OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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