QA Manager

Quick Facts

• Work Policy: Hybrid
• Job Type: Full Time
• Salary Range: $173,000 – $186,000 per year (base), plus a comprehensive benefits package and a progressive bonus program
• Experience Level: 7+ years of QA experience, including 3+ years in a QA management role

About Drivemode

Drivemode is a California-based division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., operating with a small, fast-moving startup culture while building for one of the world’s largest automakers. The QA Manager role leads the QA team and oversees processes, test planning, and test automation for Drivemode’s mobile app, which has to meet Honda’s standards for its new vehicles. The role works closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders across Honda, with testing spanning iOS and Android app interactions, APIs, and automotive hardware.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead, mentor, and manage the QA team, actively supporting their professional growth rather than just assigning tasks. A core part of the job is developing and managing QA protocols and strategies that meet both international and internal standards, and continually improving QA processes and tooling, including building resilient automated tests and simulated or mock dependencies where real hardware isn’t practical to test against constantly.

You’ll oversee the creation and review of test cases to make sure they genuinely match product specifications, and work directly with product teams to review specs and keep QA aligned with project goals from the start rather than bolted on at the end. Because this role touches both software and vehicle hardware, you’ll maintain ongoing communication with internal and external stakeholders, including vehicle hardware teams and tier-1 suppliers, and help plan vehicle and hardware tests together with external QA teams.

Reporting is a regular part of the role too: you’ll report QA metrics, progress, and team performance to senior management, and ensure the team’s work stays compliant with relevant industry standards and regulations. You’ll manage test plans that include travel to on-site testing locations in Japan, Ohio, and Los Angeles, so some international and domestic travel should be expected.

• Lead, mentor, and manage the QA team, and support its professional growth
• Develop and manage QA protocols and strategies that meet international and internal standards
• Improve QA processes and tooling, including resilient automated tests and simulated or mock dependencies
• Oversee the creation and review of test cases, ensuring they match product specifications
• Work with product teams to review specifications and align QA with project goals
• Maintain communication with internal and external stakeholders, including vehicle hardware teams and tier-1 suppliers
• Plan vehicle and hardware tests with external QA teams
• Report QA metrics, progress, and team performance to senior management
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations
• Manage test plans and travel to on-site testing in Japan, Ohio, and Los Angeles

What You’ll Need

• 7+ years of QA experience, including 3+ years in a QA management role
• Deep understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
• Proven record leading QA teams and managing testing strategies for both software and hardware
• Strong leadership and verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Proficiency testing and automating mobile apps on Android and iOS
• Ability to analyze technical documentation and API specifications, and use tools like Postman
• Experience planning test strategies to meet project targets
• Experience standardizing and improving QA processes

Nice to Have

• Testing experience with CAN, LIN, and Ethernet
• Embedded systems testing experience
• Certifications such as ISTQB or equivalent
• Agile experience
• Bluetooth testing experience

Culture

Drivemode describes its culture as a small, fast-moving startup environment with a diverse workforce, and states it provides equal opportunity regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.