At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead QA efforts in an innovative AI-assisted engineering environment and enhance quality practices.
- Company: Join Hedgehog Lab, a digital product consultancy with 20 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with a talented team in a fast-paced, tech-forward environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of quality engineering and influence AI-driven software delivery.
- Qualifications: Strong QA experience, automation skills, and familiarity with AI-assisted development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € 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
QA Lead 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 collaborative environment where quality engineering is integrated into AI-assisted development, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and influence over cutting-edge practices. The company prioritises employee well-being with generous leave policies and a commitment to shaping the future of technology in a supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land QA Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with QA communities online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your QA projects, automation strategies, and any AI-assisted work you've done. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you 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 in previous roles. Confidence is key!
✨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
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 and how you can influence our processes. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job description.
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 improved QA strategies in previous roles. We want to see 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 fundamentals, especially in automation and CI/CD. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Playwright or Cypress, as well as how you've improved QA strategies in past roles.
✨Show Your AI Savvy
Since this role involves AI-assisted development, be prepared to talk about your experience with AI in software delivery. Share specific examples of how you've worked with AI-generated code or influenced QA practices in an AI-driven environment.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication skills are key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex technical concepts. Think about how you can influence and challenge ideas constructively during the interview.
✨Be Ready to Problem-Solve
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss how you would approach improving QA processes or embedding quality earlier in the development lifecycle. Show them your strategic thinking and hands-on execution skills!
