Card & Payments QA Lead | Certification Testing, Data Validation & Schema Compliance

Job Summary
Synechron is seeking a highly experienced Cards QA Tester with comprehensive expertise in card processing systems, data migration, and quality assurance methodologies. This role involves leading testing activities across large-scale debit and credit card migration projects, ensuring data accuracy, functional integrity, and compliance with industry standards such as PCI DSS and scheme rules (Visa, Mastercard). The ideal candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage defect and risk mitigation, and drive automation initiatives to support seamless transition and operational stability.

Software Requirements
 

Required Software Proficiency:

• Test management tools: JIRA, ALM, or similar — to manage test cases, defect tracking, and reporting

• API testing tools: Postman, SOAPUI, Specmatic — for validating messaging protocols and system interfaces

• Test automation frameworks: Selenium, UFT, or similar — for scripting regression and functional tests

• Card processing systems: Familiarity with switches, scheme simulators (e.g., FIS, PowerCARD, TSYS, ACI, VisionPLUS) — support testing and certification activities

• Database tools: SQL for data validation, reconciliation, and querying

• Debugging and profiling tools: gdb, Valgrind, or similar — for troubleshooting complex issues in test environments

Preferred Software Skills:

• Performance testing tools: LoadRunner, JMeter for volume and stress testing of card transaction systems

• Automated deployment and CI/CD tools supporting fast, repeatable test executions

Overall Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end QA activities for large debit and credit card migration projects, including functional, integration, and certification testing

• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, protocols, and validation scripts to ensure data integrity and system compliance

• Test key transaction flows like issuance, activation, authorization, clearing, and settlement, including scheme rule validation (Visa, Mastercard)

• Conduct root-cause analysis of defects, support incident management, and implement risk mitigation strategies

• Collaborate with business analysts, data teams, and technical stakeholders to ensure scope coverage and test coverage alignment

• Support system upgrades, schema changes, and migration phases to minimize operational risk

• Drive automation initiatives for regression, reconciliation, and validation testing to improve efficiency

• Maintain thorough documentation of test cases, results, defect logs, and certification reports

• Regularly review certification standards, scheme requirements, and industry best practices to ensure compliance

• Support go-live testing, hypercare, and post-migration performance evaluation

Technical Skills (By Category)

• Languages & Test Tools (Essential):

  • SQL for data validation and reconciliation tasks

  • Automated testing tools: Selenium, UFT, or similar — for functional and regression test automation

  • API testing tools: Postman, SOAPUI, Specmatic — for integration validation

• Transaction & Messaging Protocols:

  • Deep familiarity with ISO 8583, ISO 20022, AS2805 message standards

  • Experience testing interactions between terminals, switches, and scheme systems

• Card Processing & Switches:

  • Knowledge of card issuance, authorization, and settlement workflows (Visa, Mastercard rules)

  • Exposure to switches (Base24, FINSIM, EFTSIM, or similar) supporting transaction flows

• Performance & Security:

  • Basic understanding of performance load testing (LoadRunner, JMeter)

  • Data security practices in card environments, PCI DSS standards for secure testing

• Tools & Platforms:

  • Certification tools: scheme simulators such as VTS, UL Brand Test, MDFS support certification testing

  • Test management and defect tracking tools supporting large-scale projects

Experience Requirements

• Experinece of 7 to 12 years of professional QA experience supporting card issuance, transaction processing, and migration projects

• Proven ability to lead certification testing efforts, ensure data accuracy, and validate scheme rule compliance

• Demonstrated experience with large, high-volume card portfolios in regulated environments (financial, banking, or fintech)

• Hands-on experience with API validation and automation in a card or payments environment

• Familiarity with card switches, messaging protocols, and certification methods (Visa, Mastercard) is essential

Day-to-Day Activities

• Develop, execute, and automate comprehensive test scripts for card issuance, authorization, and settlement workflows

• Validate data migration, reconciliation, and compliance with scheme standards (Visa, Mastercard)

• Lead and coordinate certification testing efforts, including schema validation and scheme approval readiness

• Troubleshoot technical issues, UI and data discrepancies, and messaging failures

• Record and track defects, perform root cause analysis, and implement resolution plans

• Collaborate closely with business, data, and technical teams to ensure testing coverage aligns with operational and compliance standards

• Support post-migration hypercare, monitor system stability, and validate transaction flows in production support

• Prepare detailed test reports, certification documentation, and compliance audit evidence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

• 7+ years supporting enterprise-grade card systems, transaction processing, and migration testing

• Relevant certifications in payments testing, schema validation, or certification processes (e.g., PCI DSS, scheme-specific) are a plus

• Experience supporting or managing large card portfolios in regulated financial environments

Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting capabilities in complex transaction and messaging environments

• Leadership skills to coordinate testing activities, guide junior testers, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration

• Excellent communication skills for stakeholder reporting, documentation, and defect management

• Ability to adapt quickly to schema updates, scheme rule changes, and regulatory requirements

• Attention to detail in data validation, testing, and compliance activities

• Organizational skills to manage multiple testing phases and compliance deadlines effectively

S​YNECHRON’S DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
 

Diversity & Inclusion are fundamental to our culture, and Synechron is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative ‘Same Difference’ is committed to fostering an inclusive culture – promoting equality, diversity and an environment that is respectful to all. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce helps build stronger, successful businesses as a global company. We encourage applicants from across diverse backgrounds, race, ethnicities, religion, age, marital status, gender, sexual orientations, or disabilities to apply. We empower our global workforce by offering flexible workplace arrangements, mentoring, internal mobility, learning and development programs, and more.

All employment decisions at Synechron are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to the applicant’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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