Senior Test Automation Engineer / SDET – Playwright, TypeScript/Java Bristol HQ 1-2 days a week onsite **Security clearance is essential** Up to £80 P/H Inside IR35 A Defence prime based in Bristol are looking to onboard a Security cleared Senior Test Automation Engineer / Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET), you’ll be responsible for taking ownership of end-to-end test automation and quality engineering across modern web applications and cloud-based environments. The successful candidate will have strong hands-on experience building and maintaining scalable automation frameworks using Playwright, alongside BDD testing with Gherkin and Cucumber. You will play a key role in embedding automated testing into the software delivery lifecycle, ensuring applications are robust, reliable and ready for release. Working closely with developers, Product Owners, Business Analysts and DevOps teams, you will drive test automation best practices, improve test coverage and help establish quality as an integral part of the development process. Key Responsibilities Design, build and maintain scalable end-to-end automation frameworks for web UI and API testing using Playwright. Develop automated test scripts using TypeScript, Java or another suitable programming language. Create and maintain reusable test components, fixtures and Page Object Models, supporting parallel and cross-browser execution. Translate user stories and acceptance criteria into clear BDD scenarios using Gherkin and implement Cucumber step definitions, hooks and scenario outlines. Manage test cases, execution runs, results and requirements traceability within TestRail. Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions, Jenkins or Azure DevOps. Develop and execute REST API tests using Postman/Newman, REST Assured or equivalent tools. Validate back-end data using SQL to ensure consistency between UI, API responses and underlying databases. Test applications deployed within AWS environments, including EC2, S3, Lambda and CloudWatch. Investigate flaky tests, perform root-cause analysis and implement sustainable fixes rather than relying on repeated test retries. Develop effective test data strategies to ensure repeatable and isolated test execution across environments. Triage, document and track defects through to resolution. Essential Skills
SDET employer: Synergize Consulting Ltd
As a leading employer in the Defence and Government sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that values technical expertise and professional growth. Our employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities, competitive salaries, and a commitment to work-life balance, all while contributing to critical projects in highly secure environments. Join us in a role that not only challenges your skills but also offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in national security.
