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- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of innovative test strategies for microservices.
- Company: Join a dynamic public sector team focused on quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the public sector while advancing your testing expertise.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in test strategy and automation, especially in Java environments.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Role: Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET
Contract Length: 12 months
Location: Hybrid/Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or Newcastle – 60% in office
IR35: Inside
Pay Rate to Intermediary: Up to £640 per day
Security Clearance: SC requested
Spinwell is recruiting for a Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEAD TEST ENGINEER/PRINCIPAL SDET
- Test Strategy & Leadership
- Define and implement an end-to-end test strategy aligned to microservices architecture
- Establish standards, patterns, and best practices across multiple teams
- Assess current testing approaches and drive continuous improvement
- Embed testing strategy across teams, creating scalable frameworks and exemplars
- Hands-on Engineering
- Design, build, and maintain automated test frameworks
- Work across different test levels: unit, integration, contract, system, and E2E
- Lead automation efforts in Java-based environments
- Support teams with implementation, not just direction
- Collaboration & Governance
- Partner with engineering teams and stakeholders to ensure alignment
- Provide technical leadership and coaching to testers and developers
- Ensure testing practices are consistently applied across teams
- Maintain visibility of quality and delivery outcomes
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE LEAD TEST ENGINEER/PRINCIPAL SDET
- Technical Expertise
- Strong experience designing and implementing test strategies for microservices environments
- Hands-on automation experience using: Java, Selenium, Rest Assured API, contract, and integration testing
- Experience working with monolith and microservices systems
- Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines
- Spring Boot-based applications
- Modern Testing Practices
- Strong understanding of: Contract testing, API testing, and asynchronous messaging (e.g. Kafka)
- Non-functional testing (performance, accessibility)
- Experience with non-relational databases (e.g. MongoDB)
- Automation-first mindset with ability to build reusable, maintainable frameworks
- Leadership
- Experience operating at Lead / Principal level
- Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority
- Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
- Tools & Technologies
- Cloud: AWS
- Test Frameworks: Selenium, Serenity BDD, Playwright
- Contract Testing: Pactflow, Spring Cloud Contract
- Messaging: Kafka
- Databases: MongoDB
- CI/CD & DevOps: GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Docker
- Performance Testing: Gatling, K6
- Observability: Grafana, Prometheus, Splunk
If you are a Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET, apply now or send your CV to Spinwell!
We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Applying to this or any other vacancy advertised by Spinwell Ltd constitutes an agreement for Spinwell Ltd to hold your details for 24 months for the purpose of assessing suitability for the advertised position and to make you aware of any other positions deemed suitable.
In line with GDPR regulations you are able to request your details be removed from the company data at any time by emailing us.
Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET - Central Government in Leeds employer: Spinwell Global
Contact Detail:
Spinwell Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET - Central Government in Leeds
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the role you want. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; show it! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your test strategies and automation frameworks. We love seeing practical examples of your work, so make it easy for potential employers to see what you can do.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those tricky interview questions by practising your responses. Think about how you’d explain your testing strategies or past projects. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable before the real deal.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a job that fits, don’t hesitate to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you, so make sure you put your best foot forward!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET - Central Government in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Test Engineer/Principal SDET role. Highlight your experience with microservices, automation frameworks, and any relevant tools like Java and Selenium. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams and influencing stakeholders, don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've guided teams in implementing testing strategies or improving processes. We love seeing that proactive approach!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so get to the point while still showing off your skills!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spinwell Global
✨Know Your Test Strategies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of test strategies, especially for microservices environments. Be ready to discuss how you've defined and implemented these strategies in the past, as well as any standards or best practices you've established.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with automation tools like Java, Selenium, and Rest Assured API. Bring examples of automated test frameworks you've designed and maintained, and be ready to explain your approach to different test levels.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role requires strong leadership, think of instances where you've influenced stakeholders or provided technical coaching. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools & Technologies
Get comfortable with the tools mentioned in the job description, such as AWS, GitHub, and Jenkins. Being able to discuss your experience with these technologies will show that you're not just a fit for the role but also proactive in your preparation.