At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of automation solutions and mentor a team of testers.
- Company: Join Scale Factory, an innovative AI enablement consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health benefits, and flexible working.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects across diverse industries.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in QA roles and strong programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Scale Factory
We are an AI enablement consultancy. Delivering quality-led AI-first foundations, embedding capability and excellence into the foundational fabric of the companies we work with. We give leaders the confidence to move faster, take smarter risks and pursue transformation. Formerly Ten10, we have deep roots in Quality which means we don't just build for the future, we ensure it actually works. We combine this engineering discipline with cutting-edge AI expertise to deliver robust, scalable foundations that turn ambitious transformation into reliable reality.
Here's why you'll love being part of our team:
- Exciting Projects: Collaborate on challenging, impactful projects with a wide range of industries - from finance to government and beyond
- Career Growth: Tailored training and development opportunities to help you reach your goals
- Team Culture: Join a supportive, inclusive team that values collaboration, creativity, and innovation
- Flexibility: Hybrid working lets you balance work and life
About the Role
This role is designed for individuals who want to own technical delivery, lead teams, and build lasting client relationships. As a Lead Software Developer in Test, you will:
- Lead the design and implementation of robust, scalable automation solutions across multiple projects and clients
- Mentor and coach a team of SDETs, fostering growth, upskilling, and driving best practices in testing and automation
- Own the QA strategy on projects - setting the vision for test architecture, tooling, quality metrics, and delivery excellence
- Engage directly with clients as a trusted advisor, understanding business needs and aligning our testing approach accordingly
- Contribute to pre-sales and project scoping, helping shape engagements from inception through delivery
What We're Looking For
We understand leadership takes many forms. If you're driven to inspire others, lead innovation, and take ownership of delivery, we'd love to hear from you.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Eligibility for Security Clearance
- Proven leadership in QA/testing roles, with experience guiding teams and managing delivery in Agile environments (SCRUM, Kanban)
- Strong programming skills in Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, or similar
- Deep expertise in test automation frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or RestAssured
- Experience with integration testing, test strategy, and test architecture at the project or program level
- Familiarity with performance testing tools such as JMeter, Gatling, K6, or Neoload
- Skilled in CI/CD pipeline integration (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
- Excellent stakeholder communication and ability to navigate complex client landscapes.
- Experience mentoring testers and fostering a culture of continuous learning and delivery excellence.
Bonus Points For:
- Previous consultancy or professional services experience.
- Hands-on experience with additional programming languages like Python, Ruby, Scala, or PHP.
- Exposure to cloud platforms and infrastructure-as-code within test environment
What's in It for You?
At Scale Factory, we believe in recognising and rewarding great work. Here's what you can expect:
- 25 Days of Annual Leave: Plus 1 extra day every year for the first three years, with a holiday buying scheme.
- Pension Plan: Employer-matched contributions up to 5%.
- Health Benefits: Comprehensive coverage for medical, dental, optical, and alternative therapies.
- Fitness Support: Subsidised gym memberships and a bike-to-work scheme.
- Commuter Benefits: Season ticket loans to make travel easier.
- Free Annual Rail Cards
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Flexible Work Model: Hybrid working that fits your lifestyle.
- Social Events: From annual kick-offs and Christmas parties to team socials and sporting events, we love celebrating success together.
- Training & Development: Tailored learning opportunities and full support for certifications to keep your skills sharp.
Let's Build the Future Together
We're on the lookout for passionate, talented individuals who are ready to make an impact. Whether you're an experienced automation tester or a developer with a flair for QA, we want to hear from you.
Lead Software Developer In Test - Lead Consultant employer: Scale Factory
At Scale Factory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration. Our supportive and inclusive team culture fosters personal and professional growth, with tailored training opportunities and exciting projects across diverse industries. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working, generous benefits including health coverage and fitness support, and a commitment to celebrating success together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Developer In Test - Lead Consultant
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Scale Factory or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Scale Factory.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Scale Factory.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Scale Factory that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Developer In Test - Lead Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Scale Factory.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Scale Factory and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scale Factory
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Scale Factory uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
