At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation testing strategy and design frameworks for modern microservices.
- Company: Top digital consultancy driving transformation in enterprise and public sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hands-on role, and opportunity to influence engineering quality.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of software delivery with cutting-edge tech.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation testing, Java, and microservices architecture required.
The predicted salary is between 40320 - 40320 € per year.
Lead Test Engineer / Principal SDET role on a major digital transformation programme.
£640 per day via Umbrella | Initial 12-month contract. Full-time on-site in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, or Newcastle.
ABOUT THE CLIENT
Our client is a leading digital consultancy delivering large-scale transformation programmes across complex enterprise and public sector environments. Their teams specialise in modern cloud‑native engineering, scalable architecture, and high-quality software delivery practices. Due to continued programme growth, they are looking for an experienced Lead Test Engineer / Principal SDET to help drive engineering quality and automation strategy across multiple delivery teams.
THE LEAD TEST ENGINEER / PRINCIPAL SDET ROLE:
As the Lead Test Engineer / Principal SDET, you will play a key role in defining and embedding a scalable, automation‑first testing strategy across multiple engineering teams. You will lead the design and implementation of automated testing frameworks within modern Java and microservices environments, supporting the transition from monolithic systems to modern microservices architecture. You’ll also be helping teams improve quality engineering practices across unit, integration, contract, system, and end‑to‑end testing. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role where you will actively contribute to engineering solutions while influencing best practice, governance, and quality standards across the programme.
LEAD TEST ENGINEER / PRINCIPAL SDET ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
- Strong experience designing test strategies for microservices architectures.
- Hands‑on automation testing experience using Java, Selenium, and Rest Assured.
- Experience with API, contract, integration, and end‑to‑end testing.
- Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
- Experience working with Spring Boot applications and distributed systems.
- Knowledge of Kafka, contract testing, and asynchronous messaging.
- Experience with AWS cloud environments.
- Understanding of performance and non‑functional testing.
- Experience with modern tooling including Docker, Jenkins, GitHub/GitLab, Grafana, or Splunk.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and technical leadership skills.
- Ability to work across multiple teams driving engineering standards and best practice.
LEAD TEST ENGINEER / PRINCIPAL SDET in Manchester employer: Searchability
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, or Newcastle. With a strong focus on employee growth, they provide opportunities for professional development through hands-on leadership roles and exposure to cutting-edge technologies in digital transformation. The company values a culture of quality and excellence, ensuring that every team member contributes to impactful projects while enjoying a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land LEAD TEST ENGINEER / PRINCIPAL SDET in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your automation testing projects, especially those using Java and microservices. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with CI/CD pipelines and how you've implemented testing strategies in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that match your skills, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace LEAD TEST ENGINEER / PRINCIPAL SDET in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with microservices architectures and automation testing. We want to see how your skills align with the Lead Test Engineer role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your hands-on experience with Java, Selenium, and Rest Assured.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your experience in driving engineering quality and how you’ve successfully implemented testing strategies in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:When filling out your application, make sure to mention your familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and any tools like Docker or Jenkins. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Searchability
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Java, Selenium, and Rest Assured. Be ready to discuss how you've designed test strategies for microservices architectures in the past. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Test Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to influence best practices across teams. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully led a team or project, focusing on how you drove engineering quality and standards.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the client's digital transformation goals and how your role fits into that. Being able to articulate how your experience aligns with their objectives will show that you're not just technically capable but also strategically minded.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in automation testing or CI/CD pipelines and how you overcame them. This will help you demonstrate your hands-on experience effectively.
