Functional Lead – Product & QA Lead for IRS Schema Compliance

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Functional Lead to define product requirements, validation logic, and QA strategies for schema-driven digital processing systems in support of a federal digitalization effort. This position will be located in Washington, DC, and will be a hybrid position.

Please note: The contract has not been awarded; this position remains unfunded and is contingent upon the award of the contract.

Serves as both the internal Product Owner and QA Lead for validation workflows within a federal government digitalization initiative. This role defines tool requirements, testing strategies, and schema compliance logic, and leads the QA team responsible for automated and manual testing. It also facilitates table-top exercises with federal stakeholders to ensure mutual understanding of business processes, metadata rules, and validation expectations across the intake-to-submission pipeline.

Product Ownership & Validation Logic:

• Own and manage business requirements for tools used in metadata entry, schema validation, submission packaging, and error handling.
• Translate IRS submission schemas, rule logic, and QA expectations into clear user stories and testable features.
• Lead coordination of schema updates, IRS style sheets, and business rule changes, ensuring downstream tool and test coverage alignment.

QA Team Leadership:

• Direct and manage a QA team responsible for test plan creation/ execution, automated and manual test case development, regression testing for schema and rule changes and 10% QA review support and documentation
• Design the overall QA strategy, ensuring alignment with IRS compliance requirements (e.g., Publication 4812, schema rule conformance).
• Lead QA process reviews, bug triage, and risk-based test prioritization.

IRS Collaboration & Test Coverage:

• Lead structured table-top exercises with stakeholders to align on: end-to-end process expectations, schema definition nuances, rule validations/error interpretation, test data generation and audit trail capture
• Collaborate with development to ensure test automation supports daily CI/CD builds and traceable defect tracking.
• Ensure testing operations fully support IRS reporting, auditability, and operational readiness reviews.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's with 12+ years of experience in QA, product management, or functional leadership roles in federal or compliance-driven programs. (or commensurate experience) 
• Prior leadership of a QA function or test team, ideally in support of data validation, business rules, or document submission systems.
• Deep understanding of structured metadata formats (e.g., XML, JSON), schema validation, and rule-based logic enforcement.
• Hands-on experience with automated testing frameworks and regression test strategy design.
• Proven ability to facilitate external customer engagements such as table-top process walkthroughs, UAT sessions, and compliance check-ins.
• Strong documentation, collaboration, and defect triage skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Familiarity with IRS Modernized e-File (MeF), Publication 4812, NIST 800-53 controls
• Tools: Selenium, Pytest, Postman, XML validators, JSON schema testing tools, Jira, TestRail, GitHub Actions
• Experience in digitization, records intake, or secure document workflows
• Agile/Scrum delivery model familiarity with DevOps-integrated QA

Clearance Required:

Ability to obtain and maintain a Suitability/Public Trust Clearance

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.

But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process
• Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team
• Camera must be on
• A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process
• Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening
• Background check, to include:
• Criminal history (past 7 years)
• Verification of your highest level of education
• Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Corporate Discounts
• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content
• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*
• Referral Bonus Program
• Internal Mobility Program
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full-time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.