Lead SDET(Software Development Engineer in Test) at MetLife · Tokyo

Description and Requirements

【Job Description】

We are looking for a Director, Software Development Engineer - Test with a track record of driving Quality Engineering transformation, leveraging test automation platforms, and delivering high-quality software solutions at enterprise scale. To be successful in this role, the candidate would require a balance of technical thought leadership and deep expertise across the software quality lifecycle, including test automation, continuous testing, quality engineering, performance testing, security testing, and modern DevOps practices.

The mission of this role is to lead technology transformation through Quality Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Test Automation, and Continuous Testing, from quality strategy and engineering standards through production-grade solution delivery, ensuring reliable, secure, and scalable systems that deliver transformational impact to the enterprise.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with an emphasis on interaction with executive and senior management, business partners, and technical teams. This role will collaborate closely with business and technology partners to co-create solutions, navigate ambiguity, and develop clarity across complex initiatives.

The Director, Software Development Engineer - Test will manage team performance, foster career development, and oversee resource allocation. Besides contributing in an individual capacity, this role leads and develops Quality Engineering talent. Ultimately, you are responsible for building a high-performing team that delivers enterprise-scale quality solutions through best practices, reusable automation frameworks, AI-enabled engineering capabilities, and a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

【Responsibilities】

• Drive technology transformation using Quality Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Test Automation, and Continuous Testing.

• Lead all stages of the Quality Engineering product development lifecycle, from quality strategy, assessment, conceptualization, and prioritization to automation solution development, implementation, and delivery.

• Solve complex business and technology problems using engineering excellence, automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven quality insights.

• Develop Quality Engineering roadmaps and deliver solutions with transformational impact to the enterprise.

• Communicate, engage, and present roadmaps, quality strategies, engineering metrics, AI initiatives, solutions, and impact to executive and senior management.

• Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Product Management, Software Engineering, Architecture, Infrastructure, DevOps, IT, Compliance, Risk, Security) and business partners to co-create solutions, align priorities, manage dependencies, and remove blockers.

• Drive adoption of AI-powered Quality Engineering capabilities, including intelligent test generation, automated defect analysis, risk-based testing, quality analytics, engineering copilots, and productivity solutions.

• Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging AI technologies that improve software quality, testing effectiveness, release velocity, operational resilience, and developer experience.

• Ensure responsible implementation of quality engineering and AI-enabled solutions, navigating regulatory, security, compliance, privacy, and audit requirements.

• Institutionalize best practices and contribute to innovation, research, experimentation, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Accelerate solution delivery using reusable automation frameworks, engineering accelerators, AI-enabled solutions, proof-of-concepts, and quality innovation initiatives.

• Document and communicate technical solutions effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Establish and monitor quality metrics, including automation coverage, defect leakage, release quality, testing effectiveness, production stability, and productivity improvements.

• Define and promote quality engineering standards, governance processes, and best practices across teams and products.

• People leadership: coaching, mentoring, and developing the team.

• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

【Required Qualifications】

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or equivalent educational qualification. Master's degree preferred.

• 10+ years of relevant experience in software engineering, software testing, quality engineering, test automation, or related disciplines with delivered business results.

• Proven record in driving Quality Engineering, Test Automation, DevOps, or engineering transformation initiatives across multiple teams.

• Proven track record of leading and developing Quality Engineering teams, including coaching and mentoring engineers and technical leads.

• Experience defining quality engineering strategy, standards, best practices, and governance processes across multiple teams and products.

• Strong experience across modern software quality engineering methodologies, test automation frameworks, continuous testing practices, and quality engineering transformation initiatives.

• Experience working with large and complex enterprise applications, distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, APIs, microservices architectures, and integrated technology ecosystems.

• Strong expertise in programming, test automation architecture, software development practices, and engineering excellence.

• Familiarity with CI/CD, DevOps, DevSecOps, cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), and modern software delivery methodologies.

• Awareness of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Test Management, Quality Governance, Environment Management, Test Data Management, Release Management, and cloud-based engineering solutions.

• Experience navigating regulatory and compliance requirements in the

福利厚生

メットライフ生命では、ワークライフバランスと社員の心身の健康を促進する福利厚生を提供しています。社員はフレックスタイム制度、年次有給休暇、特別連続休暇、リフレッシュ休暇等の休暇を利用できます。また、社会保険や団体保険の他、旅行や英会話教室で使える割引も提供しています。柔軟に働けるよう、オフィス勤務と在宅勤務を組み合わせた勤務形態の導入や、短時間勤務制度、また柔軟性のあるドレスコードなども設けています。

Benefits We Offer

MetLife Japan offers a comprehensive benefits package that promotes work-life balance and employee wellbeing. Employees can take advantage of flex time policy and a generous time-off policy, national holidays, annual paid leave, special consecutive leave, and refreshment leave. We also provide full social insurance coverage, a commuting expense reimbursement, group insurance, and discounts on travel and English language lessons. To support work flexibility, employees also have hybrid work options, shortened working hours for parents with children in third grade or below, and a casual dress code.

メットライフについて

メットライフは、グローバルで展開する金融サービス企業です。個人および法人のお客さまがより確かな未来を築けるよう、保険、年金、社員福利厚生給付、資産管理のサポートを提供しています。1868年に創業したメットライフは、世界40以上の市場で事業を展開し、米国、アジア、中南米、ヨーロッパ、中東において業界をリードしています。

メットライフは、New Frontier戦略の一環として、AIを活用し、人を中心に据えた未来を築いています。私たちは、AIを活用して顧客へのサービス向上、地域社会への支援、そして働き方の変革を推進していく中で、好奇心、適応力、そして成長意欲を持つ人材を求めています。メットライフにおいて、AIは、人間の判断力、創造性、継続的な改善を支える責任あるパートナーであり、信頼、インクルージョン、そして長期的な価値の構築に貢献しています。

メットライフ生命は、日本初の外資系生命保険会社として、1973年2月に国内での営業を開始しました。当社のPurpose「ともに歩んでゆく。よりたしかな未来に向けて。」は、メットライフが誇るグローバルネットワークと世界中のベストプラクティスを活かし、お客さまのニーズに応え、地域社会との信頼関係を築くという信念を表しています。

About MetLife

MetLife Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.

MetLife Japan began operations in February 1973 as Japan’s first foreign-owned life insurance company. Our purpose, “Always with you, building a more confident future,” encapsulates our strong commitment to leveraging our global network and best practices worldwide to stand with our customers and build trust with our communities.