Junior Test Automation Engineer

Responsibilities

• As a Junior Test Automation Engineer, you will be part of the Technology Engineering team within CIO, supporting the definition, implementation, execution, maintenance and traceability of adequate test scenarios to ensure timely, high quality, defect free delivery of outcomes to the production environment.
• 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.
• Ensuring work items 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.

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.

This is a junior role, so if you have recently graduated or have little experience but are keen to learn and progress, we would love to hear from you.

Qualifications & Tools

• Tools & Technologies:
  • Coding skills in one or more of Java, JavaScript, Typescript, C#, Python.
  • Understanding of source control using GitHub to collaborate with others and share code.
  • Ability to manipulate, create and search for data across databases using SQL.
  • Desirable: Awareness or use of user interface automation with Selenium & Selenium Grid, Playwright or Cypress.
  • Understanding of APIs and experience with tools such as Postman to interact with / test the APIs.
  • Understanding of continuous integration platforms such as AzureDevOps, Jenkins or equivalent, to run automated tests and/or deploy changes to test environments.

Company & Culture

We’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.

Benefits & Compensation

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, usually paid in March, 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 claim against everyday health care through our healthcare cash plan.

Financial Wellbeing – As well as providing you with 4× 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 be scheduled, so 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’re covering your needs.

Enjoy 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, while some optional benefits, which involve committing to a 12‑month payment schedule, are available as soon as you have completed your probationary period.

Our Principles

We deliver good outcomes for our customers every time by providing great products at the right price with our simple and straightforward service. We treat customers like we want to be treated – fairly, respectfully and with their best interests at heart.