QA Automation Engineer Team Lead

At Kroo Bank, we’re building a better bank from the ground up. One that puts customers first, treats money responsibly, and uses technology to make everyday banking simpler, fairer and more transparent. We’re a fully regulated UK bank, backed by long-term investors, with a growing customer base and big ambitions. We move fast, think carefully, and hold ourselves to high standards, whether that’s how we build products, manage risk, or look after our people.

How you will contribute and key responsibilities

• Lead Automation Strategy and Team: Act as the primary technical leader, defining and driving the overall QA Automation strategy, framework development, and testing methodologies for mobile and integration platforms. Coach and mentor team members in advanced automation engineering principles.
• Design and Build Automation Frameworks: Architect, develop, and maintain scalable, reliable, and efficient automated test frameworks (e.g., using Typescript, Python, Java, or Kotlin for mobile automation). Drive the team to achieve high test coverage through code.
• Drive Continuous Automation and CI/CD Integration: Oversee the execution and maintenance of automated end-to-end test suites for mobile applications (iOS/Android) and backend services. Ensure automation runs efficiently as part of the CI/CD pipeline and optimise test selection for faster feedback loops.
• Manage Bugs and Automation Reporting: Oversee the logging, management, and triage of bugs, including analysis of failures generated by automated test runs. Provide clear reporting on automation metrics, testing progress, and quality risks.
• Collaborate on Technical Quality Standards: Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams and architects to align automation practices, tooling, and coding standards, ensuring high quality is built into the development process from the start.
• Advance Testing Capabilities: Champion and implement automated testing for performance, load, stress, and security aspects to ensure system resilience and compliance.
• Lead Quality Assurance Efforts: Act as the primary point of contact for all QA-related matters within the team, driving our QA strategy and fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement. Innovate in testing methodologies and tools to elevate our QA processes.
• Develop Test Cases and Scripts: Create detailed test cases and scripts for both manual and automated testing when necessary, ensuring all functionalities and user scenarios are thoroughly covered.
• Execute End-to-End Test Plans: Lead the execution of comprehensive end-to-end test plans for our mobile banking applications on both iOS and Android platforms. Conduct integration testing with third‑party providers to ensure every app aspect meets our rigorous quality standards.
• Log and Manage Bugs: Efficiently log and manage any bugs or issues discovered during testing, provide clear and concise descriptions to facilitate swift resolution by the development team, and meticulously prioritise and track each issue to resolution.
• Collaborate and Communicate: Maintain close collaboration with development teams, product managers, and external partners to ensure QA processes are seamlessly integrated with project timelines and objectives. Effectively communicate testing progress, challenges, and outcomes across all relevant teams and stakeholders.
• Champion Continuous Improvement: Constantly seek out opportunities to improve QA workflow efficiency and effectiveness. Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in quality assurance and testing to adopt best practices and enhance our testing capabilities.

Requirements

• Ability to leverage technologies: Drives technology adoption, guides the team in selecting and integrating technologies, and pioneers the introduction of cutting‑edge tools.
• Ability to scope effectively: Leads scoping discussions for major initiatives, manages project roadmaps, and aligns scope with business goals.
• Ability to deliver against plans: Ensures project execution aligns with business priorities, proactively manages risks, and orchestrates cross‑team collaborations to achieve objectives.
• Ability to make well‑considered decisions: Drives decision‑making processes for critical architectural choices, considers broader organisational impact, and coaches others in effective decision‑making.
• Ability to utilise efficient processes: Designs and implements efficient workflows for the team, introduces automation, and aligns processes with industry standards.
• Ability to demonstrate broad technological knowledge: Displays deep expertise across a wide range of technologies, contributes to technology strategy discussions, and serves as a technical mentor.

About Our Process

• 30‑minute meet and greet with our talent acquisition specialist via Google Hangouts.
• 1‑hour technical interview with the hiring manager via Google Hangouts.
• 30‑minute culture champion interview via Google Hangouts.

Benefits

• Generous holiday time: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 1 Kroo Bank holiday (June 24th), and 1 day off during the week of your birthday.
• Personal days: 3 personal days to use as needed.
• Employer‑sponsored volunteer program: Up to 4 hours per month of employer‑sponsored volunteer time.
• Mental health support: Access to Spill, our mental health support partner.
• Workplace pension: 5% employee contribution and a 3% employer top‑up.
• Top‑notch equipment: MacBook laptop and support for home‑office setup if required.
• Modern office: Access to our modern, bustling workspace in Farringdon, Central London, including a full gym.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric Car scheme.
• Enhanced parental leave policy.
• Room for growth within a fast‑paced, high‑growth start‑up.
• Full healthcare for you and your nuclear family via Vitality.

Hybrid Working

At Kroo Bank, this is a hybrid role with most of the work done remotely. You would usually only be expected to attend our London office once or twice a month. The role is Monday to Friday, and there is no requirement to be office based full time.

Diversity and Inclusion

We wholeheartedly uphold our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Every employee is highly regarded, respected, and supported without any form of judgement or prejudice. We consider Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion as fundamental pillars guiding our path in all aspects of our bank. We also ensure that reasonable adjustments are made available to all candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies

At Kroo Bank, agency resumes are strictly prohibited. Do not submit agency resumes or forward them to our job advertisements or Kroo Bank employees. We kindly ask that you refrain from reaching out to the company or its employees via email, LinkedIn, or any other communication channels for inquiries or updates. Please note that any attempts to contact us through these channels will not receive a response.