Contract QA/Test Automation Lead – Trading Platforms (Outside IR35)

🚀 QA/Test Automation – Trading Platforms (Contract)

📍 Remote-first | Outside IR35 | 12-month initial contract with extensions likely

We’re partnering with a specialist buy-side technology consultancy to deliver a major transformation programme for one of their leading investment management clients.

They’re looking for an experienced QA/Test Automation Lead to take ownership of quality across a cutting-edge trading platform built on event-driven architecture (Solace messaging, Azure/AKS). This is a hands-on and leadership-focused role – you’ll define the QA strategy, build robust automation frameworks, and ensure compliance standards are met across a complex, low-latency trading environment.

🔧 Key Focus Areas

• Designing and implementing end-to-end test automation frameworks for .NET, Python, and Azure environments
• Leading quality governance, performance, and security testing across CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps)
• Validating event-driven architectures, data reconciliation, and market data quality
• Driving “shift-left” testing practices and embedding quality within engineering teams

💡 What You’ll Bring

• 8+ years’ QA/engineering experience, including 5+ within financial or trading systems
• Strong hands-on experience with Azure, AKS, Solace (or Kafka/RabbitMQ), SQL, and C#/.NET
• Proven track record designing automation frameworks and performance/security test suites
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams

📅 Contract Details

• Initial 12-month contract, with strong likelihood of extension
• Remote-first, occasional travel may be required
• Outside IR35 for UK-based consultants
• Consultants must be available within 4 weeks’ notice or less

If you’re a senior QA engineer who thrives in high-performance trading environments and wants to lead quality and automation at scale, we’d love to hear from you.

💬 Apply or reach out via LinkedIn to discuss in confidence.