Lead Software Quality Test Engineer (Playwright)

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

Summary -

This position is for a Lead Sr. Software Development Engineers in Test to develop automation strategies and testing solutions for the Dealer Inspire product.

This is a role will participate and lead SDETs responsible to evaluate software functionality and design and execute test cases that exercise code under development. This will include testing code as it is being developed, automating tests, and executing on a variety of tests to include: functional tests, integration tests, system-wide testing, regression tests, security tests, and performance tests as applicable for the changes at hand. In the leadership portion, this person will mentor and lead other SDET(s) in the team, mentor and guide engineers who request support in building test automation, strategizing in how to continually build the breadth and depth of the software test automation function in DI for high efficiency and quality in our products.

About the Role [Remote and must be based in the Chicago area. May require onsite interviews]

Join us in shaping a future of Automotive Commerce. Cars Commerce (cars.com) builds solutions for automotive dealerships, manufacturers, and consumers. Our driving force is to deliver a single platform that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars.

Our Websites Engineering Team drives our Dealer Inspire platform. We are embarking on a transformational journey, building innovative and integrated services that redefine how we deliver value to our customers. As a Lead Software Quality Test Engineer (Sr Lead Software Development Engineers in Test) you will develop automation strategies and testing solutions for the Dealer Inspire product. Dealer Inspire provides innovative digital marketing and dealership management solutions for the automotive industry. It offers a range of solutions designed to help car dealerships optimize their online presence, increase sales, and improve customer experiences.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of our platform and drive meaningful change at scale, making a lasting impact within the automotive industry.

About You

You are an experienced, results-driven Lead Software Quality Test Engineer (using Playwright) who loves blending deep technical skill with real product instinct. You have built and evolved Software Quality and Testing Systems.

As a Lead Quality Test Engineer (Sr. Lead Software Development Engineer in Test) on our Websites Engineering Team, you'll play a key role in revitalizing our testing services and tooling — bringing a comprehensive technical strategy to simplify and scale testing systems across our platform. This is hands-on, high-impact work where your expertise will shape how we build quality into everything we ship!

This role includes testing code as it's being built, automating tests for speed and scale, and running the full spectrum of testing: functional, integration, system-wide, regression, security, and performance testing.

If you're passionate about quality, love solving complex technical puzzles, and want to make a real impact on a platform used by thousands, let’s explore!

Why You'll Be Excited About This Role

This opportunity enables you to...

• Lead the establishing of process, practices and tools of software testing/automation
• Finalize and document test practices, educating the project teams they work with
• Develop and implement automated testing strategies for software products, with a bias for establishing regression suites that exercise new code as well as existing production code
• Design and execution of automation scripts across functional, integrational and performance tests.
• Understand test coverage achieved and measure on metrics for the communication and reporting of results.
• Help build dedicated software test and automation functions, working with partners and engineers to integrate testing practices in the development life cycle through release and maintenance
• Collaborate with engineers and product managers to build and execute tests and conduct comprehensive analysis of test results and test coverage; communicate to stakeholders
• Drive, implement, and communicate the adoption of software testing best practices through the software development lifecycle (SDLC) being used
• Run test programs to ensure that testing protocols evaluate the software correctly; continually evolve the software testing systems for maximum performance and results
• This function will require an individual with excellent programming and technical skills, ability to establish new practices, and ability to coach and train others to integrate software testing in the current software engineering environment
• Experience being a technical leader and influencing stakeholders across design, engineering, and technology, both within your own organization and across an enterprise

We're Excited About You Because…

• Minimum 8+ years experience as a Software Engineer, Software Engineer in Test or related functions
• In-depth knowledge in testing web-based applications at the web service and UI layers using Playwright. Testing may be required with or without a functioning user interface; testing integrations, performance, and building mock services a plus
• Advanced knowledge of debugging code and software development languages and testing tools
• Strong attention to detail, debugging code, excellent software troubleshooting skills
• Ability to collect and analyze data and test results to report on results, coverage and conclusions
• Excellent mentoring and communication skills, with the ability to guide and train others

Bonus:

• B.S. in Computer Science or related degree
• Full stack testing experience
• Proficiency in Docker, Kubernetes, Node, JavaScript and TypeScrip, PHP, Rust, MySQL
• Proficiency in Node, JavaScript and TypeScript a plus
• Experience with job queue/messaging systems

• Experience leading projects or functioning as a team lead

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Salary Range

$135,300.00-169,150.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Applicants: Click here to review our Privacy Policy for Applicants. For current employees, please Click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Employees.

Welcome!
At Cars Commerce, we think big, push boundaries, and rise together as a team. It’s all the challenge and energy of a job in the tech industry, backed by 25 years of proven resilience and growth as a leading consumer brand.

Imagine getting to work on a team with a bold mission to simplify everything about buying and selling cars. A culture that’s a unique mix of innovation and collaboration. Exciting training and development opportunities that empower you to take ownership of your career. For our employees, every day is an opportunity.

We’re a remote-first workplace that embraces diversity at every level. Inspired by our values, we intentionally create opportunities for our employees to grow and make an impact in our industry and local communities. Let’s move your career forward together.

About Us

Cars Commerce is an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars. The Cars Commerce platform includes the flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com, innovative digital marketing technology and services from Dealer Inspire, industry-leading trade-in and appraisal technology from AccuTrade, an exclusive in-market media network, and powerful and predictive AI technologies that enable more efficient and profitable retail operations. Cars Commerce is the essential partner to stay one step ahead in automotive.