QA Lead (AI)

We are seeking an experienced QA Lead to join a major AI-enabled platform transformation programme for a leading insurance organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on technical QA leader to define, lead, and evolve Quality Engineering practices across a complex enterprise transformation.

You will play a critical role in establishing modern automation-first testing approaches, embedding quality governance, and driving the adoption of AI-powered testing capabilities across the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Working closely with Engineering, Architecture, Product, Delivery, and DevOps teams, you will ensure quality remains at the forefront of a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Candidates must have proven experience delivering AI-driven testing initiatives and have worked on multiple AI-enabled projects.

The Role

As QA Lead, you will be responsible for defining and executing the overall test strategy across a large-scale transformation programme. You will lead the adoption of modern Quality Engineering practices, drive automation maturity, and support continuous delivery through robust testing frameworks, governance, and AI-driven quality assurance. This role requires a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on technical expertise, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and embed quality across multiple delivery teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Strategy Technical Leadership
  • Define and implement a modern, automation-first Quality Engineering strategy.
  • Align quality practices with an AI-enabled Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
  • Act as the technical authority for QA, testing standards, and best practices.
  • Promote a quality-first culture across Agile delivery teams.
  • Provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to QA and Test Engineering teams.
• Automation AI-Driven Testing
  • Lead the adoption and expansion of automated testing across the programme.
  • Drive the development and optimisation of automation frameworks.
  • Implement AI-driven testing approaches including:
  • Automated test generation
  • Regression optimisation
  • Defect prediction and analysis
  • Self-healing automation
  • Intelligent test maintenance
  • Evaluate and implement AI-powered tools to improve testing efficiency and coverage.
  • Champion the use of Microsoft Copilot and emerging AI technologies within Quality Engineering.
• SDLC, Governance Quality Assurance
  • Establish robust quality governance, standards, and controls.
  • Ensure traceability across requirements, testing, and delivery.
  • Develop quality metrics, reporting, and release readiness measures.
  • Support auditability and compliance requirements within a regulated environment.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across testing practices.
• Platform Integration Testing
  • Own testing strategy across key business capabilities including:
  • Workflow Management
  • Underwriting
  • Pricing
  • Policy Lifecycle Management
  • Ensure comprehensive end-to-end testing coverage across integrated platforms and services.
  • Support API, microservices, integration, functional, and regression testing activities.
• CI/CD Continuous Testing
  • Optimise testing within CI/CD pipelines.
  • Support multiple releases through an automation-first approach.
  • Collaborate with DevOps teams to improve delivery quality and pipeline reliability.
  • Embed continuous testing and quality gates throughout the development lifecycle.

Essential Skills Experience

• Quality Engineering Automation
  • Proven experience as a QA Lead, Test Lead, or Quality Engineering Lead.
  • Strong background in enterprise-scale Quality Engineering and testing strategy.
  • Extensive experience implementing automation-first testing approaches.
  • Strong understanding of test architecture and automation best practices.
• Automation Technologies
  • Hands-on experience with: Selenium, Playwright, Cypress.
  • Strong experience testing APIs, integrations, and microservices-based architectures.
  • Experience designing end-to-end quality strategies for complex distributed systems.
• DevOps CI/CD
  • Experience working within DevOps environments.
  • Strong knowledge of: Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, CI/CD Pipelines, Continuous Testing practices.
• AI Experience (Mandatory)
  • Proven experience delivering AI-driven testing solutions within enterprise environments.
  • Demonstrable experience working on multiple AI-enabled transformation or product delivery programmes.
  • Experience using AI tools for test generation, optimisation, defect analysis, automation enhancement, or intelligent quality engineering.
  • Experience with Microsoft Copilot, GitHub Copilot, or other AI-powered QA solutions.
  • Proven track record of driving AI adoption and delivering measurable outcomes through AI-enabled testing.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess:

• 10+ years' experience in QA, Testing, or Quality Engineering.
• Proven experience leading QA teams within complex transformation programmes.
• Strong automation and DevOps background.
• Demonstrable experience across several AI-driven projects and initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Hands-on technical leadership capability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving delivery environments.

What's on Offer?

• Up to £500 per day
• Inside IR35
• Hybrid London working
• High-profile AI-enabled transformation programme
• Opportunity to shape Quality Engineering strategy and standards
• Exposure to cutting-edge AI, automation, and cloud technologies
• Long-term contract with strong extension potential

Please note: Candidates must be able to demonstrate proven AI project experience, including delivery of AI-enabled testing or quality engineering initiatives across multiple programmes.