SCUK Senior Automation Test Analyst in Redhill

The purpose of the role is to support the delivery of applications and systems that in turn support SCUK business and customers. This role includes management responsibilities managing day to day work allocation, mentoring and development.

The role of the Senior Automation Test Analyst is to implement effective test automation solutions to ensure the quality and reliability of applications and systems prior to their launch into the live environment to ensure they meet the highest standards. They will lead the design, implementation and coordination of automation test strategies, develop and maintain test automation frameworks, and execute comprehensive automated tests to validate software functionality, performance, and security. The Senior Automation Test Analyst’s expertise will be crucial in driving continuous integration flows, troubleshooting system issues, and maintaining the highest standards of quality assurance for our products.

Please note this role is a hybrid role with at least 3 days a week in the Redhill office. Remote workers will not be considered.

Responsibilities will include:

• In collaboration with the Test Manager, initiate, prioritise, consult on and develop automation goals, strategies and plans to improve efficiency and reduce the need for human intervention.
• Provide supervisory or managerial support for non-senior automation team members.
• Create the automation strategy, referencing the architecture and optimising the use of available tools for automation enhancements and improvements.
• Scheduling automation activities, optimising coverage to reduce risk whilst minimising duration.
• Standardising the test automation across IT.
• Experience of the software development and testing lifecycles for Agile and non-Agile methodologies.
• Knowledge of software quality assurance activities, tasks, tools, and techniques; ability to evaluate new or enhanced systems, software packages and software tools to ensure adherence to functionality and quality requirements.
• Delivering effective testing outcomes; whilst ensuring consistent, high quality and timely project delivery in accordance with the IT project management methodology.
• Create and manage the automation planning activities, ensuring that all are to time, quality and as per agreed standards.
• Undertake multiple test automation projects in collaboration with product managers, developers and key stakeholders, contributing to the implementation of test automation strategies and plans and provide input into test scripts mapping back to pre-determined acceptance criteria.
• Design, code and execute moderately complex automation programs and scripts from agreed specifications and subsequent iterations, recording and reporting outcomes in accordance with agreed strategy/plan and timeframes.
• Mentor and build the automation testing capabilities of the BAU Test Team.
• Review project documentation and interpret requirements to provide test estimations, test conditions and automation opportunities.
• Evaluate system documentation and user manuals for usability, accuracy, and completeness.
• Participate in code reviews, providing feedback to developers on code quality, testability, and potential areas for improvement.
• Create and maintain automated regression test packs ensuring test coverage is adequate.
• Conduct regression testing to ensure that previously identified issues have been resolved and recent changes do not introduce regressions.
• Design and maintain test data.
• Support the project manager in developing and executing system test plans.
• Review, implement and maintain testing standards and documentation following regulatory guidelines and industry best practices.
• Identify, analyse and document software defects and issues, including steps to reproduce, identify potential root causes and work through to resolution.
• Discuss test results and ensure issues/problems that arise during test automation are resolved efficiently.
• Ensure current work plans and activities support and are consistent with organisational change initiatives.
• Evaluate automation achievements and adjust future plans accordingly.
• Escalate concerns over competing or conflicting priorities by raising awareness of potential bottlenecks and disruptions to the schedule.
• Deal with or escalate any identified risks in relation to Santander Consumer risk policies and/or legislative and regulatory guidelines in accordance with the Santander UK group risk framework.
• Undertake out of hours live release testing when required.
• Act as an SME with regards to automation topics.
• Adhere to our commitment to Consumer Duty ensuring we put our customers’ needs first and set higher and clearer standards of consumer protection.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience with programming languages such as Java, Groovy, Python, or JavaScript.
• Familiarity with Selenium WebDriver, and testing frameworks like TestNG, JUnit, or Cucumber.
• Comfortable using Git, and experienced with test management tools like JIRA.
• Proficiency in web application testing.
• Knowledge of SQL/NoSQL databases is desirable.
• Extensive experience of producing and executing UFT/QTP scripts integrated with ALM/Quality Centre is desirable.
• Takes personal ownership of and strives to meet assigned accountability expectations, identifying and reporting issues and risks associated with own work.
• Leads automation work deliveries ensuring quality and quantity in addition to meeting deadlines.
• Ensure accurate records are maintained in accordance with company and departmental protocols.
• Applies major tools and techniques associated with the specific methodologies.
• Knowledge of agile methodologies and the agile development lifecycle; ability to utilise formal agile methodologies, disciplines, practices, and techniques for the delivery of new and enhanced applications is desirable.
• As necessary, participate in Agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand ups and retrospectives to provide input on testing efforts and progress is desirable.
• Define key selection and qualifying criteria for projects suitable for agile development.
• Proven ability to introduce and build a test automation framework from scratch.
• Experience within the financial sector beneficial.
• Experience of manual testing.
• Understanding of fault management and tracking.
• Knowledge of IT quality assurance; ability to utilise a variety of specific technical tools and testing methods to ensure the quality of IT production.
• Knowledge of software QA and testing tools; ability to use automated tools for performing quality assurance activities on software products throughout the development cycle.
• BS/MS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a strong technical background and Leadership skills.
• Extensive experience in software development or QA automation.
• ISTQB Foundation Course in Software Testing.

We have a range of benefits available which include:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• 30 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays.
• Annual bonus based on personal and company performance.
• Car allowance.
• Private medical cover.
• Generous pension contributions.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Sharesave scheme.
• Gym passes at a reduced rate for 3,000 gyms, leisure centres etc.

Other things you need to know:

• The hours for this role are 09:00-17:00 across Monday to Friday.
• Inclusion: At Santander we’re creating a thriving workplace where all colleagues feel they belong and are supported to succeed. We all help to make Santander a workplace that celebrates diversity and attracts, retains and develops the most talented and committed people through living our values of Simple, Personal, and Fair.
• At Santander Consumer Finance we have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, bullying, harassment (including sexual) or victimisation of any kind.

What are the next steps:

If you are interested in this role and believe you have the skills, experience, and knowledge then we’d love to hear from you. Please go ahead and click apply which will take you through some questions and allow you to submit your CV and covering letter.