At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing Test Engineering team while transforming testing practices.
- Company: Join Blue Light Card, a rapidly expanding tech company dedicated to serving frontline communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days annual leave, and exclusive discounts with your own Blue Light Card.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality and member experiences while shaping a growing team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading test teams and implementing automation frameworks.
- Other info: Dynamic culture with a focus on diversity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
There’s never been a better time to join the team at Blue Light Card. Blue Light Card is expanding rapidly in the UK and Australia, and we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Quality Lead to join our Technology department. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of test engineering excellence across our organisation, leading a growing team and establishing the standards, processes, and automation capabilities that will ensure we deliver exceptional experiences to our members.
Reporting to the Senior Engineering Manager with a strategic dotted line to the Head of Engineering, you’ll be responsible for transforming our testing practices and building a high-performing test engineering team. Our test team is still forming and upskilling, so you’ll have the opportunity to shape the culture, develop talent, and implement modern automation practices from the ground up. If you’re passionate about quality, thrive on building teams and processes, and want to make a real impact on the experience of the frontline communities we serve, this is the role for you.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and develop the Test Engineering team through coaching, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Define and champion the organisation-wide test strategy, driving the transition from manual testing to scalable, robust automation.
- Embed quality practices across the delivery lifecycle by partnering with Engineering and Product teams and adopting shift-left testing approaches.
- Establish proactive defect prevention through monitoring, observability, early bug detection, and continuous testing in CI/CD pipelines.
- Improve member experience across Blue Light Card platforms by collaborating with Engineering and Member Services to translate insights and complaints into actionable quality improvements.
- Define, track, and communicate quality metrics and KPIs, providing clear visibility and enabling data-driven quality decisions.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience as a Quality Lead / Test Lead / Test Manager, with a strong track record of building and leading high-performing test engineering teams.
- Deep expertise in defining test strategy and implementing modern automation frameworks, including hands-on experience with contemporary test tools and practices.
- Demonstrated success in transforming testing functions from manual approaches to mature, automation-led quality engineering.
- Strong coaching and mentoring capability, with experience in one-to-ones, constructive feedback, and supporting team well-being and professional growth.
- Extensive experience working in agile, cross-functional environments, embedding quality practices and collaborating effectively with Engineering, Product, and business stakeholders.
- Skilled in shift-left testing, CI/CD integration, production monitoring, and quality metrics, using data to drive continuous improvement and align quality initiatives with business goals.
Our Culture
Our mission is simple – make heroes happy. Our members are the real-life heroes who keep us all safe, cared for, and thriving. It’s what gets us up in the morning and pushes us to go further, think bigger, and create something that truly matters. By focusing on their happiness, we create amazing experiences, deliver unrivalled discounts, innovative products, and world-class service. We don’t just follow the usual path - we look for smarter, bolder ways to deliver real impact. We take ownership, move fast, and work shoulder to shoulder to build something special. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels they belong. Different perspectives and experiences help us grow, innovate, and better reflect the communities we serve.
We promote hybrid working, and value in-person collaboration so encourage time in our offices, where you can make the most of our fully stocked snack drawers – either the HQ in Leicestershire, or London, Holborn office. The frequency and office location will vary depending on the role and team, we aim to be flexible, but we aren’t able to offer fully remote working.
What We Offer
- Hybrid working and flexible hours.
- 35 hour working week.
- Free parking and EV charging onsite at HQ.
- 25 days annual leave plus an additional day off for your birthday, and a buy and sell holiday scheme of up to 5 days.
- A company bonus scheme.
- Your own Blue Light Card and exclusive access to thousands of discounts.
- Great social events e.g., festive party, summer party, team socials, sports matches.
- Regular company-wide recognition events e.g. Monthly Light’s Up and The Shine awards.
- Relaxed dress code and modern office space (games area, chill-out areas, book club, free drinks/snacks).
- Onsite gym at HQ (including access to free HIIT & stretch classes).
- Strong learning and development culture.
- Group auto-enrolment pension plan.
- Enhanced parental leave and absence leave.
- Company funded private medical insurance.
- Healthcare cashback plan.
- Employee assistance programme (including mental health support) and mental health first aiders.
QA Lead - hybrid in Leicester employer: Blue Light Card
Contact Detail:
Blue Light Card Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land QA Lead - hybrid in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Blue Light Card on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections that can give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by diving deep into the company culture and values. Understand how Blue Light Card makes heroes happy and think of examples from your past that align with this mission. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for answering behavioural questions. This will help you articulate your experiences clearly and demonstrate your leadership skills in building high-performing teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace QA Lead - hybrid in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the QA Lead role. Highlight your experience in building high-performing test teams and your expertise in automation frameworks. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to deliver exceptional experiences!
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use metrics and examples to illustrate how you've transformed testing practices or improved quality metrics. We love data-driven stories that show how you’ve made a difference!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value diverse perspectives and want to know what makes you unique. Share your passion for quality and how you thrive in collaborative environments – it’s all about making connections!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our culture there, so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Light Card
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of test engineering and automation frameworks. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used and how you've implemented them in past roles. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a QA Lead, you'll be expected to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've coached and developed team members in the past. Highlight any successful transformations you've led from manual testing to automation, as this aligns perfectly with what they're looking for.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role involves working closely with Engineering and Product teams. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully partnered with other departments to improve quality practices. Discuss how you’ve embedded quality into the delivery lifecycle and the impact it had on the overall project.
✨Metrics Matter
Familiarise yourself with key quality metrics and KPIs. Be prepared to discuss how you've tracked and communicated these in previous roles. Showing that you can make data-driven decisions will demonstrate your strategic thinking and commitment to continuous improvement.