Principal Automation Test Specialist in Leeds

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund. At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the recently formed Quality Assurance function at the National Wealth Fund. You will be joining a small team and be instrumental in shaping automation across the application estate with a specific focus on our Dynamics 365 platform in this greenfield function. The Principal Automation Test Specialist will report into the QA Test Manager and will be solely responsible for building upon and maintaining our recently established Playwright automation framework, predominantly (though not restricted to) our Dynamics 365 application.

Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office.

Salary: Up to £55,000.

Deadline to Apply: 12th July 2025. Early submission is encouraged, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

The Principal Automation Test Specialist is responsible for delivering high‑quality testing outcomes and for ensuring the reliability, quality and release readiness of solutions built on Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) and the Power Platform—including D365 Sales, D365 Real‑time Marketing, and Power Apps (model‑driven and/or canvas). This role places a strong emphasis on test automation using Playwright (with C#) and Azure DevOps.

Core Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test suites using Playwright with C#.
• Build automation for Dynamics 365 and Power Apps experiences (model‑driven and/or canvas).
• Translate user stories, acceptance criteria, and process maps into low‑code automated test scenarios and reusable components aligned to our D365 and other business processes.
• Build and maintain regression packs and smoke test suites to support frequent releases and platform updates.
• Assess automation candidates for sprint testing, to reduce manual overhead within sprints.
• Integrate and execute automated tests within Azure DevOps pipelines, ensuring quality gates and reliable reporting.
• Manage test execution results, analyse failures, and improve script resilience.
• Identify, log, and manage defects using Azure DevOps.
• Collaborate with developers to triage failures, validate fixes and prevent regression issues.
• Improve test stability by implementing robust locator strategies, resilient waits, and controlled retries.
• Ensure automation adheres to maintainable standards.
• Support test data setup and environment readiness across DEV/TEST/UAT.
• Produce clear QA artefacts: execution reports, coverage summaries, defect trend insights, and release readiness updates.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test practices, tooling choices, and automation strategy.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance processes and governance standards.
• Provide mentorship or guidance to other team members where required.
• Work closely with key stakeholders to set standards and influence organisational decisions on test techniques, tooling, design and execution.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, with a focus on complex problem solving and influencing senior team members.
• Act autonomously, seeking guidance on complex judgments and decisions.
• Participate in and contribute to Agile ceremonies.
• Support the QA Test Manager in introducing and embedding improvements.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

Essential Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience within the Financial Services industry; expert level understanding of all test phases across the SDLC.
• ISTQB tester accredited, with significant testing experience in both manual and automation testing.
• Excellent working knowledge of Agile and Scrum methodologies.
• Proficient using Playwright as a test automation tool.
• Strong C# fundamentals relevant to automation.
• Knowledge of test pyramid principles.
• Understanding of positive/negative testing, boundary analysis, equivalence partitioning, risk‑based testing.
• Experience with test frameworks and automation design patterns.
• Understanding of API and integration testing.
• Knowledge of SQL or data querying for backend validation and troubleshooting.
• Experience of using testing tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira or ALM.
• Experience in both Agile and Waterfall deliveries.
• Knowledge of defect management practices and quality metrics.

Desirable Knowledge:

• Knowledge of MS Azure and 4th Generation Banking platforms.
• Knowledge and understanding of business processes associated with Corporate Banking.
• Knowledge or experience in Microsoft Power Platforms and testing Dynamics 365 modules.
• Knowledge of utilising Agentic AI capabilities within the automation testing space.

Mandatory Skills:

• Hands‑on experience building automation in Playwright with C#.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to articulate technical solutions in a business context.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Self‑motivated, well‑organised and comfortable with continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to interpret requirements and produce high‑quality test scenarios.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting‑edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do. We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience.

Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.