At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead test strategy and collaborate with teams to ensure top-notch quality in software delivery.
- Company: Global financial services organisation known for its strong reputation and commitment to quality.
- Benefits: Salary up to £65,000, hybrid working, and opportunities to shape AI-driven testing practices.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking company investing in modern automation and career growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of QA processes and influence how quality is achieved in a dynamic Agile team.
- Qualifications: Extensive QA automation experience and strong skills in frameworks like Playwright and BDD.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
At-a-Glance
- Senior-level QA role leading test strategy for an established, global financial services organisation
- Automation-first environment built around Playwright, BDD and CI/CD pipelines
- Hybrid working from Belfast
- Genuine scope to embed AI-driven testing tools and shape quality practice across the team
About the Company
Our client is an established, global financial services organisation with a strong reputation in its sector. With a large international footprint and a mature engineering culture, they invest seriously in quality and are building out modern, AI-enabled approaches to how they test and ship software.
The Role
This is a senior, hands-on QA role within an Agile team, where you'll be the go-to advocate for quality from sprint planning through to release. You'll work closely with Product Owners and Developers, driving BDD and TDD practices and making sure everything shipped meets the Definition of Done. There's real ownership here: you'll lead on test strategy, balance manual, automated and performance testing, and push the team's shift-left and API-first approach forward. It's suited to someone who wants influence over how quality is done, not just a seat at the table.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with global BA, Development and QA teams to design and coordinate test strategy
- Design, develop, execute and maintain automated and functional tests within CI/CD pipelines
- Leverage AI tools such as MCP, Copilot and ChatGPT to optimise testing efficiency and workflows
- Build and maintain scalable, self-healing automation frameworks using Playwright
- Integrate AI-driven tooling into automation workflows to improve script creation and maintenance
- Identify performance bottlenecks and provide actionable recommendations
- Champion quality across the Agile team, promoting best practices including unit testing and code reviews
- Mentor and coach team members to raise QA standards
- Own deliverables end to end, managing priorities and raising risks early
What You'll Need
- Extensive experience in QA automation within Agile environments
- Strong automation experience with Selenium, Cypress, Playwright or TestComplete
- Proven ability to design and maintain scalable automation frameworks, ideally Playwright or WebDriverIO
- Experience integrating automation within CI/CD pipelines such as Jenkins, GitLab or TeamCity
- Hands-on experience with BDD frameworks such as Cucumber
- Strong experience in API, functional and end-to-end testing
Desirable / Nice to Have:
- Experience within financial services or trading platforms, including FIX/API
- Exposure to AWS, microservices or serverless architectures
Why Apply?
- Salary up to £65,000
- Hybrid working model based in Belfast
- Senior-level ownership of test strategy across a high-performing Agile team
- Work on business-critical trading and data platforms for a genuine global market leader
- Real scope to embed AI-driven tooling into how the team tests and ships software
- Join a business investing seriously in modern, scalable automation practice
Senior Quality Assurance Engineer employer: Ocho
Join a dynamic and innovative digital consultancy that champions a remote-first work culture, offering exceptional benefits such as a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a commitment to professional development. With a focus on quality and collaboration, you'll thrive in an environment that values your expertise and provides the autonomy to shape QA processes while working on complex, multi-component systems alongside a talented team in Northern Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Ocho. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Ocho.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Ocho's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocho
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Ocho.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Ocho will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Ocho employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.