At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain automated test frameworks while collaborating with agile product teams.
- Company: Join Howden, a global collective of 18,000 talented individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health benefits, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital platforms and drive quality-first practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in C#, Playwright, and a strong understanding of testing techniques.
- Other info: Remote-first role with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview of the Senior Automation Test Engineer role at Howden. Contract: 12 - 18 Month Fixed Term Contract. Location: Remote first; with monthly face-to-face in Gloucester.
As a Senior Test Automation Engineer, you will be a key member of one of our agile product teams, helping to shape the future of our digital platforms. You will use your expertise in C#, Playwright, and Microsoft Azure to build scalable, high-performing, user-centric applications. Your role will drive a quality-first mindset, embed test automation into every stage of the development lifecycle, and champion continuous delivery practices.
You will collaborate with engineers, product managers, and QA peers in a supportive environment that values knowledge sharing and cross-team learning. As a senior member, you will mentor and coach others, contribute to architectural decisions, and help raise the bar for quality and delivery across the board.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain robust automated test frameworks using tools like Playwright, SpecFlow, and Postman.
- Collaborate with developers and product teams to define test strategies and acceptance criteria.
- Promote a shift-left approach and embed quality throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Participate in agile ceremonies and contribute to planning, refinement, and retrospectives.
- Lead by example in implementing CI/CD practices and improving test coverage.
- Mentor and support junior team members, helping them grow into senior roles.
- Contribute to architectural and technical design discussions, presenting ideas to the wider team.
- Continuously improve testing processes and introduce innovative practices.
About you
- Strong understanding of the test pyramid and a broad range of testing techniques (smoke, white-box, performance, exploratory, etc.).
- Demonstrable experience with C# or another object-oriented language.
- Experience implementing end-to-end tests with frameworks such as Playwright and SpecFlow.
- Comfortable working closely with software engineers.
- Keen eye for detail and a focus on end-user outcomes.
- Exposure to cloud technologies (preferably Azure).
- Strong communication and facilitation skills.
- Understanding of agile development methodologies.
- Belief in continuous delivery and iterative development based on feedback.
- Strong documentation skills for acceptance criteria, test plans, and test cases.
Rewards
We believe that great work and dedication should be rewarded. We offer:
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), pro-rated for part-year service
- A set of core benefits designed with health and financial protection in mind:
- Life Assurance up to 4x salary
- Income protection for up to 5 years in case of illness or injury
- Contributory pension scheme – 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution, rising to 5% & 5% in April 2025
- Healthcare Cashplan with health-related benefits
- Lifestyle and financial benefits including discounts and salary sacrifice schemes
- Access to a range of insurance products and member discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
About Howden
Howden is a collective—an international group of talented people across 100+ countries. We are 18,000 employees strong, united by a culture that values collaboration, balance, and ongoing development.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure roles align with your needs. Adjustments may include flexible hours or hybrid working where possible. If you are excited by this role but have questions about fit or adjustments, apply and we will be in touch to discuss your needs.
Senior Automation Test Engineer in London employer: Howden
Contact Detail:
Howden Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Automation Test Engineer in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Howden. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences with C#, Playwright, and Azure. Bring examples of your work or even a portfolio to showcase your automation testing prowess.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on Howden and their products. Understand their agile processes and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their quality-first mindset. Practice common interview questions and think about how your skills align with their needs.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Howden team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Automation Test Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Automation Test Engineer role. Highlight your experience with C#, Playwright, and Azure, and don’t forget to showcase your understanding of the test pyramid and various testing techniques.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about automation testing and how your skills align with our agile product teams. Be sure to mention any mentoring experience you have, as we value knowledge sharing.
Showcase Your Projects: If you’ve worked on relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. Describe your role, the technologies you used, and the impact your work had. This will help us see your hands-on experience in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howden
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of C#, Playwright, and Microsoft Azure. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects, and think of specific examples where you’ve implemented test automation effectively.
✨Showcase Your Agile Mindset
Since the role involves working in agile teams, be prepared to talk about your experience with agile methodologies. Share examples of how you've contributed to planning, refinement, and retrospectives, and how you promote a quality-first mindset within your team.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to engage in architectural and technical design discussions during the interview. Think about innovative practices you've introduced in testing processes and be ready to present your ideas clearly and confidently.
✨Emphasise Mentorship and Collaboration
As a senior role, you'll be expected to mentor junior team members. Highlight your experience in coaching others and fostering a collaborative environment. Share specific instances where you've helped someone grow or improved team dynamics.