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Test Lead (contract)

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy

Software Engineering
Minneapolis, MN, USA · St Paul, MN, USA
USD 50-67 / hour
Posted on Mar 6, 2026
Test Lead III –

Location: Denver, CO or Minneapolis, MN

Employment Type: Contract

Travel: 1–2 times per year for workshops (expenses reimbursed)

Position Overview

The Test Lead III will support a key energy transformation initiative focused on the ADERMS Aggregator Virtual Power Plant (AVPP) program. This role will lead testing efforts across the project, including planning, writing, and executing System Integration Testing (SIT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

The Test Lead will coordinate testing activities, manage testers, maintain testing artifacts in JIRA, and communicate testing progress and risks to project managers and leadership. This position requires strong communication skills, the ability to lead testing meetings, and experience operating within structured enterprise environments.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful energy and grid modernization initiatives with a high likelihood of extension.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage SIT and UAT testing efforts for the AVPP project.
  • Develop, document, and execute test cases and test plans.
  • Coordinate and oversee testing activities for project testers and stakeholders.
  • Maintain and manage JIRA spaces, dashboards, and testing workflows.
  • Facilitate daily or twice-daily testing meetings to track progress and resolve issues.
  • Provide status reporting and updates to project managers and leadership.
  • Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Business Analysts, Architects, SMEs, and external vendors.
  • Identify testing risks, track defects, and ensure proper resolution.
  • Contribute to broader project team activities and documentation.

Required Qualifications

  • 7–10+ years of experience in software testing or quality assurance.
  • Proven experience leading SIT and UAT testing efforts.
  • Strong experience writing and executing manual test cases.
  • Experience facilitating meetings and presenting testing status to leadership.
  • Strong experience using JIRA for test tracking and reporting.
  • Experience working in Waterfall project environments.
  • Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in the utility or energy industry.
  • Experience working within large enterprise environments.
  • Background in highly regulated or process-driven industries such as medical device or manufacturing organizations including Medtronic or Boston Scientific.
  • Experience supporting large transformation or grid modernization programs.

Work Environment & Team

  • Collaborative and fast-paced project environment.
  • Cross-functional team including Test Lead, Project Manager, Business Analyst, Project Architect, SMEs, and other testing resources.
  • Regular collaboration with both internal stakeholders and external software vendors.
  • Ideal candidates are self-starters who demonstrate initiative, problem-solving ability, resilience, and strong teamwork skills.

Pay Rate Range

50 - 67 USD hourly