QA Automation Test Lead

QA Automation Test Lead From £55,000 Manchester (Hybrid) We are looking for experienced QA Automation Leads to join our client’s growing technology team based in Manchester, UK. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking tech function, playing a vital role in elevating an award-winning digital platform that serves thousands of businesses. This position is crucial for establishing and maintaining quality standards across multiple product domains. As QA Automation Lead, you’ll oversee the quality and performance of our technology products by guiding QA Automation Engineers, implementing robust testing strategies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across engineering teams. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, leveraging automation and testing best practices to ensure the reliability, scalability, and functionality of our diverse product offerings. Key Responsibilities Lead testing efforts across the product lifecycle, including functional, regression, performance, and security testing. Shape the strategic direction of QA initiatives. Monitor and report on key quality metrics, such as test coverage and defect statuses. Mentor QA Automation Engineers to promote a strong focus on quality and ongoing improvement. Collaborate with product owners and developers to design and execute effective test strategies. Develop automated test scripts using tools like Selenium, SpecFlow, Pact, and Gatling. Manage and configure test environments, ensuring alignment with production settings. Maintain and enhance automated test suites for functional, regression, and performance testing. Identify, document, and resolve software defects, working closely with developers. Participate in code reviews, sprint planning, and release management to guarantee high-quality software deliveries. Stay up-to-date with emerging trends and best practices in testing and automation. Review both automated and manual test cases to ensure full coverage. Support platform enhancements during off-hours to reduce business disruptions. Assist with release management, ensuring smooth and timely product delivery. Required Experience 4+ years in a QA Lead or similar role. Strong experience in writing automated end-to-end functional tests using Selenium WebDriver (preferably with C#). Hands-on experience with API testing tools such as Postman, SpecFlow, and Pact. Expertise in cross-device testing (laptops and mobile devices). Solid knowledge of Test Plan creation, estimation, and status reporting. Experience with performance testing and platform optimization. Proficiency in Git version control and manual testing (UAT, System, Regression). Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Familiar with CI/CD pipelines and Blue-Green deployments. Experience in testing microservices (unit, integration, contract, load, stress, security, and resiliency testing). Ability to perform well under pressure and collaborate effectively with business stakeholders. Knowledge of cloud platforms, particularly AWS. Benefits Competitive salary with annual company bonus. Flexible hybrid working model (2 days from home, 3 days in the office). Opportunities for career development and promotion. 25 days holiday, increasing to 28 days after 5 years. Enhanced maternity/paternity pay. Option to buy or sell up to 5 additional holiday days per year. 3 paid charity leave days annually. Regular company events, social activities, and incentives. Company pension scheme. Costco membership. Salary sacrifice company car scheme. Cycle to Work scheme. Employee discounts. Private medical insurance or healthcare cash plan options.