At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the testing strategy for complex microservices and distributed systems.
- Company: Join a major tech transformation programme in London.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model with competitive contract rates.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor engineers and shape a quality-first culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality engineering in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in integration and contract testing, with strong coding skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We're supporting a major technology transformation programme and are seeking an experienced Integration Test Architect to define and lead testing strategy across a complex microservices and distributed systems landscape. This is a senior, hands-on architecture role requiring deep expertise in contract testing, integration testing and quality engineering across multiple technology stacks.
What You'll Be Doing
- Define and own the end-to-end integration testing strategy
- Design and implement scalable automated test frameworks
- Lead adoption of consumer-driven contract testing using Pact
- Work closely with architects, developers and platform teams to improve quality across distributed systems
- Establish testing standards, governance and best practice across multiple delivery teams
- Identify integration risks and ensure robust coverage across services and APIs
- Mentor engineers and drive a quality-first engineering culture
Essential Skills
- Proven experience operating at Architect or Principal Test Architect level
- Extensive experience in Integration Testing and Contract Testing
- Strong hands-on experience with Pact
- Development background in Java, Python and/or C++
- Experience testing microservices, APIs and distributed systems
- Strong understanding of CI/CD and automated testing practices
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and engineering leadership teams
Nice to Have
- AWS cloud experience
- Event-driven architecture experience
- Performance and non-functional testing expertise
- Experience within large-scale enterprise environments
The Candidate You'll be a highly experienced consultant who can operate strategically at architecture level whilst remaining technically credible and hands-on when required. You'll have a track record of delivering testing strategies for complex integration-heavy environments and be recognised as a subject matter expert in modern quality engineering practices.
Automation Test Architect - Financial Services- Contract in England employer: GCS Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and collaboration, where as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the reliability and performance of critical banking systems. With a hybrid working model based in Knutsford or Glasgow, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises continuous improvement and employee growth, alongside opportunities for technical leadership and mentorship. Enjoy a competitive benefits package and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies in a dynamic environment that fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Test Architect - Financial Services- Contract in England
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at GCS Recruitment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to GCS Recruitment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like GCS Recruitment.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like GCS Recruitment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Test Architect - Financial Services- Contract in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at GCS Recruitment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at GCS Recruitment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at GCS Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If GCS Recruitment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
