At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our CIO team to enhance digital presence and improve customer engagement through innovative projects.
- Company: Hastings Direct is a fast-growing digital insurance provider serving over 2.8 million customers in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive bonuses, mental health support, and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic culture that values collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation testing, agile methodologies, and tools like Selenium, GitHub, and SQL is preferred.
- Other info: We welcome applicants who may not meet every requirement but are eager to contribute and grow.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Test Automation Engineer page is loaded## Test Automation Engineerlocations: Bexhilltime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: February 9, 2026 (27 days left to apply)job requisition id: 60012267We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become The Best and Biggest in the UK market. Over the past few years, we\’ve made significant investments in our data and tech capabilities, particularly within our CIO function. Our CIO team is at the forefront of driving innovation and ensuring our technology infrastructure supports our ambitious goals. We’ve nurtured our 4Cs culture, fostering collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.We’re proud of the journey we’re on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues. The CIO team plays a crucial role in this journey, working on cutting-edge projects that enhance our digital presence and improve customer engagement.We provide insurance to nearly four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there. The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD – we really hope you like what you see, and you’ll join us to share in the success of the exciting chapter that lies ahead.We understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you are excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure, we would love to hear from you. Our CIO team is always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to make a difference and contribute to our success.**Job Details*** Working as an individual collaborator in your Scrum Teams alongside colleagues that cross multiple disciplines* Active participation in sprint ceremonies, such as sharing updates and blockers in daily standups, estimating and committing in sprint planning or helping your teams improve KPIs by providing input in sprint retrospectives* Ensuring work items meet the Definition of Ready, to only build work items from a common understanding and also meet the Definition of Done before being marked as complete* Actively understand, review and challenge requirements (or lack of) when things look wrong, to ensure the team jointly achieves the best outcomes* Definition of Acceptance Criteria for all functional and non-functional requirements, ensuring that both positive and negative (what if) scenarios are being tested, that testing is executed at the right level (eg Unit, API, Behaviour etc) and that test coverage is complete* Proactive collaboration within your Scrum Teams and wider QA community on best practices to deliver new work items more frequently without impacting quality**Skills we would love you to have*** Practical experience working in an Testing role using Automation* Experience working in an agile environment**Tools & Technologies:*** Knowledge of at least on agile methodology (eg Scrum, Kanban, SAFe)Familiar with backlog and test case management in a system of record such as Jira or Octane* Experience using declarative Gherkin to capture business rules, run as automated tests with Cucumber* Strong coding skills to implement automated tests in one or more of Java, JavaScript, Typescript, C#* Comfortable with source control using GitHub* Skilled in user interface automation with Selenium & Selenium Grid, Playwright or Cypress* Ability to implement tests against API either in code or via tools such as SoapUI, Postman* Understanding of and user experience with continuous integration platforms such as AzureDevOps or Jenkins (or equivalent)* Ability to manipulate, create and search for test data across databases using SQL**Unfortunately we are unable to progress with candidates that require sponsorship at this time.****What we offer**Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company, and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need. Not to mention plenty of recognition and rewards, and the scope to voice your ideas and put them into practice.**Reward****Salary** – Attractive salary based on experience (pay reviews also completed each year)**Flexible Working** – We champion a flexible and hybrid working approach so please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail, including days in the office and at home.**Competitive Bonus Scheme**- All colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus, which is usually paid in March. The scheme is based on Hastings’ performance against our business goals and your own personal performance.**Physical Wellbeing** – We like to help our colleagues take a proactive approach in keeping themselves well, that’s why we fund our colleagues to be able to claim against everyday health care through our healthcare cash plan.**Financial Wellbeing** – As well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover and income protection at no extra cost, pension contribution match up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an AWARD WINNING package which includes – discounts and cashback at everyday retailers and on our own products, fee free independent mortgage advice, and free access to financial wellbeing support.**Mental Wellbeing Programme** – At Hastings Direct we understand that mental health cannot not be scheduled, that’s why we have a range of support to help you keep yourself well. We have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs**There\’s more!** – 25 days annual leave +bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your contracted weeks, access to private healthcare, dental plans, discounted health assessments, cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more. Most of our benefits and wellbeing resources are available to colleagues from their first day whilst some optional benefits, which involve committing to a 12-month payment schedule, are available as soon as you have completed your probationary period.Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.We deliver good outcomes for our customers every time by providing great products at the right price with our simple and straightforward service. Wetreat customerslike we want to be treated – fairly, respectfully and with their best interests at heart.Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.Job posting end date:09/02/2026and check out the **what we offer** tab to learn more.Hastings Direct is a fast growing, agile, digitally focused general insurance provider of products and services to over 4 million customers #J-18808-Ljbffr
Test Automation Engineer employer: Hastings Direct
Contact Detail:
Hastings Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Automation Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Selenium, Cucumber, and Azure DevOps. Having hands-on experience or even personal projects showcasing these tools can set you apart during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the company’s online presence. Follow Hastings Direct on social media platforms and participate in discussions related to their innovations in digital insurance. This shows your genuine interest and can provide insights into their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in agile environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've contributed to sprint ceremonies and improved team KPIs, as this aligns closely with the role's responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Hastings Direct. Platforms like LinkedIn can be useful for reaching out and gaining insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Automation Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in test automation and agile methodologies. Use keywords from the job description, such as 'Selenium', 'Cucumber', and 'Scrum', to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with Hastings Direct's goals and culture, particularly around collaboration and continuous improvement.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills related to test automation tools and practices. Provide examples of how you've used these tools in previous roles, especially in an agile environment, to enhance your application.
Highlight Soft Skills: Don't forget to mention your soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These are crucial for working effectively within Scrum Teams and contributing to a positive team dynamic at Hastings Direct.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Direct
✨Understand the Agile Methodologies
Familiarise yourself with Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban, as these are crucial for the role. Be prepared to discuss your experience in agile environments and how you've contributed to sprint ceremonies.
✨Showcase Your Automation Skills
Highlight your practical experience in test automation. Be ready to discuss tools like Selenium, Cucumber, and your approach to writing automated tests, especially using Gherkin syntax.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively within Scrum teams. Share examples of how you've actively participated in team discussions, shared updates, and helped improve team KPIs.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to API testing and SQL. Brush up on your knowledge of tools like Postman and SoapUI, and be ready to explain how you manage test data across databases.