At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop automated test solutions for impactful applications in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join IBM Consulting, a leader in hybrid cloud and AI with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days holiday, health coverage, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible work options available; we celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with cutting-edge technologies and top industry professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation tools like Java, Python, and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At IBM Consulting UK FutureNow you’ll build a career at the forefront of hybrid cloud and AI, working with leading clients across the public and private sectors. You’ll collaborate with top industry professionals, gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge technologies, and deliver solutions that create real business impact. From day one you’ll work on meaningful, high‑profile programmes that stretch your skills and accelerate your growth. We invest heavily in you—supporting continuous learning, on‑demand skills development, and long‑term career progression.
Benefits
- Tools and policies to support your work‑life balance: flexible working approaches, sabbatical programmes, paid paternity leave, maternity leave and an innovative maternity returners scheme.
- Traditional benefits, such as 25 days holiday in addition to public holidays, private medical, dental and optical cover, online shopping discounts, an Employee Assistance Programme, life assurance and a group pension plan through salary sacrifice.
Your role and responsibilities
We are looking for a Senior Automation Test Engineer to join IBM, supporting our public sector and defence clients. In this role you will help deliver reliable and efficient automated testing solutions for a range of applications. You will design and develop automated test scripts, support CI/CD integration, and collaborate closely with developers and DevOps teams to enhance product quality and accelerate delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop and maintain automated test suites for functional, regression, integration, performance and API testing.
- Build automation frameworks using industry‑standard tools and modern programming languages.
- Develop optimized and efficient test scenarios aligned to acceptance criteria, ensuring strong test coverage.
- Automate test environment setup, test execution, test data management and environment validation.
- Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and work with DevOps to support continuous testing.
- Contribute to quality engineering practices within Agile, DevOps and container‑based delivery models.
- Monitor automated test execution, troubleshoot issues and provide clear insights to development teams.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to improve product quality, identify risks and promote automation best practices.
- Participate in requirement analysis, sprint planning and backlog refinement to embed quality from the outset.
- Encourage and support adoption of automation tools, frameworks and best practices across teams.
- Ensure best practices are followed across SCRUM teams, including test estimation, test coverage, test traceability, defect management, test evidencing and test closure.
Required Technical Expertise
- Experience with programming and automation tools such as Java, Python, REST assured, Selenium Grid, Serenity, Jenkins, Maven and Postman, and ability to design comprehensive test scenarios.
- Ability to maintain detailed documentation of the test framework, tests, test outcomes and defects.
- Experience developing and maintaining automation frameworks for API integration and UI‑based products, and designing, creating and maintaining automated test scripts.
- Deep understanding of software testing principles and experience in an event‑driven architecture, with strong analytical skills and the ability to think strategically about test automation.
- Strong communication, collaboration and problem‑solving abilities.
Preferred Technical Experience
- ISTQB Test Automation Engineer
- ISTQB Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer
- Certified Selenium Tester Foundation
- iSQI Certified Agile Tester (CAT) with automation focus
- CP‑SAT (Certified Professional – Selenium Automation Testing)
- CSTE (Certified Software Test Engineer)
- CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing)
IBM wants you to bring your whole self to work and this may mean the ability to work flexibly. If you are interested in a flexible working pattern, please talk to our recruitment team to find out if this is possible in the current working environment.
IBM is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Senior Automation Test Engineer - eSC or eDV Clearance Required in Cheltenham employer: IBM
At IBM Consulting UK FutureNow, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive learning opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous leave policies and health coverage. Join us in a role that not only challenges your skills but also allows you to make a significant impact in the public sector and defence, all while enjoying a supportive and inclusive environment.
