At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead QA in a cutting-edge AI-assisted engineering environment and shape quality practices.
- Company: Join Hedgehog Lab, a digital product consultancy with 20 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, wellbeing budget, and health insurance.
- Other info: Work with a highly technical team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality engineering in a fast-paced, innovative setting.
- Qualifications: Strong QA experience, automation skills, and familiarity with AI-assisted development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
Type: Full-time, Permanent or Contract
Location: UK or Romania – Flexible remote, hybrid, or office working
Location requirement: Must live within 30 miles of one of our offices or hub locations
Offices: Newcastle, Leeds, Bucharest
Hubs: Edinburgh, Manchester, London
The role
We’re looking for a Senior QA / Quality Engineering Lead to help shape how quality engineering operates inside a senior, AI‑assisted engineering environment. You’ll work alongside a small, highly technical engineering team where AI‑assisted development and agentic workflows are already deeply embedded into product development. This is not a traditional QA role focused purely on scripted testing or ticket execution.
You’ll help:
- Strengthen automation strategy and release confidence
- Embed quality earlier across product and engineering
- Review and evolve existing QA practices and processes
- Validate AI‑generated code and tests
- Improve how requirements and acceptance criteria are defined
- Influence how reliable software gets delivered in a modern AI‑assisted environment
You’ll be working in an environment where engineers increasingly guide and review AI‑generated output rather than writing every line of code manually. The role needs someone comfortable shaping how quality engineering operates within AI‑assisted development.
What You’ll Get
This is an opportunity to shape quality engineering inside a modern AI‑assisted engineering environment where quality is treated as an engineering and product challenge rather than a final testing phase. You’ll have direct influence over:
- Testing strategy and automation direction
- Release confidence and quality standards
- How QA integrates into product and engineering processes
- How quality evolves alongside AI‑assisted development
You’ll work closely with highly technical engineers solving complex product and engineering challenges in a fast‑moving environment already embracing AI‑assisted workflows in production.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong senior QA, SDET, or Quality Engineering experience within modern product engineering teams.
- Experience improving QA strategy, automation coverage, and release confidence.
- Strong understanding of automated testing, CI/CD, E2E frameworks, and modern software development.
- Experience with Playwright, Cypress, or similar automation tooling.
- Strong technical judgement around delivery risk, testing strategy, and where automation adds real value.
- Experience embedding QA earlier in the product and development lifecycle.
- Confidence working with highly technical, senior engineering teams.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.
- Experience working with AI‑assisted software delivery, agentic engineering workflows, or AI‑generated code.
- A balance of technical credibility, strategic thinking, and hands‑on execution.
- A pragmatic mindset focused on improving quality without introducing unnecessary process.
About Hedgehog Lab
We’re a digital product consultancy with 20 years of experience, helping organisations solve complex problems through technology, design, and delivery.
UK Benefits
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
- Annual wellbeing budget.
- Free counselling.
- 3rd Party Health Insurance.
- L&D budget.
- 5 impact days per year.
Please note: we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
QA Lead in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: hedgehog lab
Hedgehog Lab is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, particularly for the QA Lead role. With flexible working arrangements across the UK and Romania, employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth through a dedicated learning and development budget, alongside generous annual leave and wellbeing initiatives. Join a forward-thinking team where your influence on quality engineering in an AI-assisted landscape will be valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land QA Lead in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in QA or tech. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your automation projects and any AI-related work. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common QA scenarios and be ready to discuss how you've influenced quality processes in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace QA Lead in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the QA Lead role. Highlight your experience in automation, CI/CD, and working with AI-assisted development to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about quality engineering in an AI-driven environment. Share specific examples of how you've influenced QA practices or improved release confidence in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical expertise! Mention your experience with tools like Playwright or Cypress, and how you’ve embedded QA earlier in the development lifecycle. We love seeing your hands-on experience!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at hedgehog lab
✨Know Your QA Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your QA principles and practices, especially in the context of AI-assisted development. Be ready to discuss how you've improved QA strategies and automation coverage in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Familiarise yourself with tools like Playwright and Cypress, as well as CI/CD processes. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've used these tools to enhance testing and release confidence in past projects.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key! Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex technical concepts. Think about how you can influence and challenge constructively during the interview.
✨Embrace the AI Angle
Since this role involves working with AI-generated code, be ready to discuss your experience with AI-assisted workflows. Share insights on how you've validated AI outputs and integrated quality assurance earlier in the development lifecycle.
