At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of test automation and shape the automation roadmap.
- Company: Join Fimador, a growing engineering organisation with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Influence multiple teams and foster a culture of shared ownership in quality.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by embedding quality early in the software delivery lifecycle.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in test automation and hands-on knowledge of Playwright.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Fimador are currently looking for a QA Team Lead to lead the evolution of test automation across a growing engineering organisation. This is a senior, influential role for someone who can combine hands-on technical expertise with strategic leadership. You’ll help shape the automation roadmap, support the transition from Cypress to Playwright, and raise the quality engineering capability across multiple teams.
What you’ll be doing:
- Define and drive the test automation strategy across engineering teams, ensuring frameworks, tools, and practices are scalable, consistent, and fit for modern software delivery.
- Lead the migration from Cypress to Playwright, helping teams adopt best practices and build maintainable, reliable end-to-end automation.
- Design, build, and improve automated test frameworks across multiple layers, including API, integration, and end-to-end testing.
- Indirectly lead and influence a team of around 10 engineers and QAs, upskilling them in automation, quality engineering, and modern testing practices.
- Create practical automation playbooks, standards, and reusable guidance that help teams deliver with greater confidence and consistency.
- Partner closely with QA, software engineering, DevOps/SRE, and product teams to embed quality early in the development process.
- Act as a technical authority for automation tooling, test design, CI/CD integration, and engineering quality practices.
- Champion a culture where quality is shared ownership, not something left to the end of the delivery cycle.
You’ll bring:
- Strong experience in test automation engineering, ideally at senior, lead, staff, or principal level.
- Hands-on experience with Playwright and ideally previous exposure to Cypress.
- Experience designing and scaling automation frameworks for complex software products.
- Strong knowledge of API, integration, and end-to-end testing approaches.
- Experience embedding automated testing into CI/CD workflows.
- A track record of influencing engineering standards across multiple teams.
- The ability to coach, mentor, and upskill engineers and QAs without needing direct line management authority.
- A pragmatic approach to automation, knowing when to test, what to test, and how to keep test suites maintainable.
This is a hybrid opportunity requiring 2 days on-site.
Lead Test Engineer employer: Fimador
Fimador is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Lead Test Engineer to thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of test automation while working alongside talented engineers in a supportive environment. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance quality engineering across the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Test Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Fimador or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the latest trends in test automation. We recommend practising common interview questions related to Playwright and Cypress to show you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've influenced teams in the past, especially in terms of quality engineering and automation practices. We want to see your strategic thinking in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Test Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Test Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Playwright and any previous work with Cypress, as well as your leadership in test automation.
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 automation roadmap. Share specific examples of how you've influenced engineering standards or coached teams in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, don’t shy away from discussing your technical skills. Detail your experience with API, integration, and end-to-end testing, and how you've embedded automated testing into CI/CD workflows.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our QA team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fimador
✨Know Your Automation Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in both Cypress and Playwright. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools, including any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will show that you not only understand the technical aspects but can also lead teams through transitions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've influenced engineering standards or coached teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference in quality engineering practices. This will demonstrate your ability to lead without direct authority, which is crucial for this role.
✨Emphasise Your Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you would define and drive a test automation strategy. Think about how you would create playbooks and standards that are scalable and consistent. This shows that you can think beyond just the technical side and contribute to the overall direction of the team.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves partnering with various teams, prepare to talk about your experience working closely with QA, DevOps, and product teams. Share examples of how you’ve embedded quality early in the development process and fostered a culture of shared ownership in quality.
