Principal QA Consultant

We are looking for an epic Principal QA Consultant at Alphero. Someone who is not just well grounded in best practice QA methods and approaches for testing digital products in the here-and-now; but is super excited about the new challenges for quality as we move into a world where AI and humans co-create digital experiences. Someone who is deeply curious, with deep experience with digital, and who embraces the opportunity to invent completely new ways to ensure quality when traditional test cases (and approaches) may no longer apply.

In this role, you'll lead our quality and testing practice, define modern testing strategies for our most complex digital programmes, and shape what “good” looks like in a future where quality is as much about trust and ethics as it is about bugs and breakpoints. If you’re ready to lead, to be hands-on when it matters, and to shape the future of testing with us; we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll focus on:

Shape the future of quality at Alphero

Lead our QA practice and ensure we stay ahead of what "quality" means in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Define and evolve Alphero's approach to quality across today's digital platforms, and tomorrow's AI-driven experiences. Set the direction for how we think about quality when traditional test cases may no longer apply.

Design and deliver with your stakeholders

Collaborate directly with clients, designers, developers, and project managers to craft innovative testing approaches for our most complex programmes. You'll lead the strategy and roll up your sleeves to deliver it, expect a mix of hands-on testing, automation, and experimentation across everything from large-scale digital platforms to experimental products.

Grow the team through hands-on leadership

Inspire, coach, and grow our QA specialists in partnership with our Development Director. Lead by example, stay curious, and help the team thrive in a world of constant change. Foster a culture where quality is owned by everyone, not just the QA team.

Please provide a cover letter that directly addresses the 3 focus areas outlined in this advertisement.

We're about inventiveness, bravery, and crafting the digital future before it arrives. If you want to define the quality standards for technologies that will transform what's next, let's talk.

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Are a highly experienced Quality Assurance leader with a demonstrated ability to lead a small team of awesome testers, enthusiastically manage change, and adapt your thinking as work evolves.
• Happy getting your hands dirty to execute and deliver the right outcomes, from manual testing (yourself) to automation.
• Are energised rather than intimidated by ambiguity, finding clarity in complexity and opportunity in the unknown.
• Partner directly with internal teams and clients to translate their quality needs into actionable testing strategies and deliverables.
• Can envision quality paradigms for technologies still on the horizon while delivering pragmatic solutions for today's challenges
• Knowledge of automation frameworks and CI/CD integration (Bitrise, GitHub Actions, etc.)
• Are ready to be a thought leader who shapes how to define excellence in an era of human-AI collaboration
• Love collaborating in an in-office environment where big ideas take shape 
• Are ready to work in New Zealand.

This role probably isn’t for you if:

• You’ve only worked in large, structured orgs (like banks or public sector), and prefer a clear line between strategy and execution.
• You’ve stepped away from the tools in recent years and don’t want to jump back in.
• You aren’t interested in testing beyond the traditional — or in helping shape what quality looks like in the AI-powered, experience-first digital future.

Benefits

• The perks of being part of the Alphero team
• Work with the latest gadgets, tools and technologies
• Super cool office space in the heart of the Wellington CBD, near the best cafes
• DIY Barista coffee and free fruit
• Fun, social team who enjoy hanging out with each other outside work as well as during working hours