At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Quality Engineering for a high-traffic payment checkout platform.
- Company: Fast-scaling global consumer tech business with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and champion quality in a rapidly evolving environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a customer-facing platform used worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in SDET roles and familiarity with Playwright preferred.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Total package - £80,000 (equity bonus)
Location: London 3 days a week
This isn't a ticket-closing automation role.
This isn't a 'put your headphones in and work in silence on your own all day' role
This is definitely not a 'hold my hand / tell me what I should do' role
We\'re looking for a Senior QA / SDET who wants to lead from the front... someone who still loves solving technical problems but is ready to mentor 3 - 4 engineers and shape how quality is delivered across a growing product team.
You'll be joining a scaling, product-led tech business (c.100 people in UK, 600 globally) where engineering, product and QA collaborate closely to deliver features quickly and properly.
There's a real opportunity to raise standards, introduce better practices, and influence direction over the next 6–12 months.
What you'll do
- Alongside QE Manager, deliver automation strategy within a product area
- Write high-quality automation code (Python or TypeScript)
- Work across backend APIs (REST, ideally GraphQL exposure)
- Line manage 3 - 4 QAs (light-touch mentoring & performance reviews)
- Partner with Product & Engineering to improve release quality
- Build tools or frameworks where gaps exist
What they're looking for
- Strong coding ability (Python or TypeScript essential)
- Automation-first mindset (Playwright a plus, not essential)
- Confident working with APIs & backend systems
- Experience mentoring or line managing engineers
- Someone proactive, not reactive
- Comfortable challenging constructively and driving improvement
This would suit:
- A Senior SDET ready to step into team leadership
- A hands-on QA Lead who still wants to code
- Someone who cares about product outcomes, not just test coverage
Key priority hire with interview availability as soon as this week. Please apply ASAP. No sponsorship.
Senior SDET in Slough employer: Balance Talent
Join a fast-scaling global consumer tech business that prioritises innovation and quality in a collaborative work environment. With a hybrid working model in London, you'll enjoy the flexibility of remote work while being part of a dynamic team that values your expertise and encourages professional growth. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead quality engineering initiatives on a high-traffic platform, making a significant impact on user experience and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior SDET in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those already working in similar roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your work, especially any projects related to payment systems or automation frameworks like Playwright. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common SDET questions and scenarios. Think about how you’d tackle quality assurance in high-traffic environments and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with frontend technologies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who are eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior SDET in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior SDET role. Highlight any hands-on experience with payment systems, QA strategies, and frameworks like Playwright to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about quality engineering and how you can contribute to our payment checkout team. Share specific examples of your past successes in similar roles to really stand out.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to include your technical skills relevant to the role, especially in frontend technologies like JS and React. We want to see how you can lead the migration to Playwright and improve our testing processes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Balance Talent
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Senior SDET, you'll need to be well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Frontend, JS, and React. Brush up on your knowledge of Playwright too, as leading the migration will be a key part of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Even if you're starting hands-on, the potential to lead a team is there. Be prepared to discuss your experience in mentoring or managing QA Engineers, and how you can champion quality across teams. Share examples of how you've driven improvements in past roles.
✨Understand the Business Impact
This role is about ensuring a robust, user-friendly platform for high-traffic transactions. Think about how your work in quality engineering can directly impact customer satisfaction and business success. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to similar outcomes before.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their current QA processes, the challenges they face with the payment checkout, and how they envision the future of the team. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
