Lead Automation Engineer

Lead Automation Engineer

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Searchability

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and innovate testing strategies while mentoring a dynamic engineering team.
  • Company: Join a tech-led organisation focused on quality and modern development practices.
  • Benefits: Influence testing strategy, enjoy a collaborative culture, and benefit from personal development opportunities.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career progression in a supportive, office-first environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with hands-on involvement in cutting-edge testing.
  • Qualifications: Strong experience in API testing, CI/CD, and automation tools like Selenium.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Office-first working model to support collaboration and team development. Senior leadership opportunity within a growing engineering function.

KEY POINTS

  • Strategic, hands-on Test Engineering leadership role
  • Ownership of testing strategy across a modern platform
  • Blend of leadership, automation, and technical delivery
  • Strong focus on mentoring and team development

ABOUT THE CLIENT

We’re supporting a well-established, tech-led organisation that is continuing to invest in its engineering capability. With a strong focus on quality, scalability, and modern development practices, they are looking to elevate their testing function through senior technical leadership.

THE BENEFITS

  • Opportunity to influence testing strategy at a senior level
  • Collaborative, office-first culture with strong team alignment
  • Ongoing investment in modern tooling and best practices
  • Clear focus on personal development and progression

THE TEST ENGINEERING LEAD ROLE

You'll take ownership of the overall testing strategy, ensuring it aligns with business goals while driving best practice across engineering teams. This role offers a balance between strategic leadership and hands-on involvement. You’ll work closely with developers, architects, and stakeholders to design scalable, maintainable testing solutions, while still being involved in both automation and manual testing where needed. You’ll also play a key role in developing the QA function, mentoring engineers, identifying skill gaps, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Alongside this, you’ll lead on refining processes and introducing new tools to keep the team at the forefront of modern testing practices.

TEST ENGINEERING LEAD ESSENTIAL SKILLS

  • Strong experience in API testing (Postman)
  • Deep understanding of CI/CD
  • Expertise across testing methodologies (exploratory, regression, smoke)
  • Strong SQL and database querying skills
  • Hands-on experience with automation tools (Selenium)
  • Experience with modern frameworks (Cypress, Playwright, TypeScript)

Lead Automation Engineer employer: Searchability

Join a forward-thinking tech-led organisation that prioritises collaboration and personal development in an office-first environment. As a Lead Automation Engineer, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the testing strategy while mentoring a talented team, all within a culture that values innovation and continuous improvement. With ongoing investment in modern tooling and a clear path for career progression, this role is perfect for those seeking meaningful impact in a growing engineering function.
Searchability

Contact Detail:

Searchability Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Automation Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to automation engineering. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your skills through personal projects or contributions to open-source. This not only demonstrates your technical abilities but also your passion for the field, making you stand out to potential employers.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Automation Engineer

Test Engineering Leadership
Testing Strategy Development
API Testing (Postman)
CI/CD
Testing Methodologies (Exploratory, Regression, Smoke)
SQL and Database Querying
Automation Tools (Selenium)
Modern Frameworks (Cypress, Playwright, TypeScript)
Mentoring and Team Development
Process Refinement
Tool Introduction
Collaboration with Developers and Architects
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Automation Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in API testing, CI/CD, and automation tools like Selenium to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've influenced testing strategies or mentored teams in the past – we love a good story!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from detailing your hands-on experience with modern frameworks like Cypress and Playwright. We want to see how you’ve applied your technical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our collaborative, office-first culture!

How to prepare for a job interview at Searchability

✨Know Your Testing Strategies

Make sure you’re well-versed in various testing methodologies, especially API testing and automation tools like Selenium. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these strategies in past roles and how they align with the company’s goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this is a senior role, prepare examples of how you've mentored teams and driven continuous improvement. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a tangible impact on team performance or project outcomes.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Tech Stack

Research the company’s tech stack, particularly their use of CI/CD and modern frameworks like Cypress and Playwright. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their tools will show that you’re genuinely interested and prepared for the role.

✨Prepare Questions About Team Development

Think of insightful questions regarding their approach to team development and personal progression. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if their culture aligns with your values.

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