At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and execute test plans for APIs in a dynamic game studio environment.
- Company: Join tombola, a supportive tech company that values quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, wellbeing benefits, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities in a friendly, people-first culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on game quality while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience with RESTful APIs, Postman, and a collaborative mindset are key.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Hybrid – Sunderland (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
At tombola, everything is built in-house, and care is taken in both what is created and how teams work together. Collaboration, ownership, and doing the right thing are part of everyday life. An opportunity has opened for a Senior Test Engineer to join the Game Studio team, helping to ensure APIs are reliable, resilient, and ready for release in a fast‑paced, regulated environment. This hybrid role combines time in the Sunderland office with remote working, offering space for both collaboration and focused work.
The role goes beyond testing alone. As a Senior Test Engineer, quality is championed across the team—shaping approaches to testing, risk, and continuous improvement. The position combines hands‑on delivery with the chance to influence how quality engineering evolves over time. Working closely with developers, product, infrastructure, compliance, and growth teams, this role helps ensure everything released is something the whole team can stand behind.
A quick note on terminology: when referring to the “game engine,” this relates to the mathematical and logic platform that powers tombola’s games. It is not a visual or 3D engine (such as Unity), and the focus is on backend systems, APIs, and game logic rather than game graphics or client‑side development. Time spent onsite supports shared learning, stronger collaboration, and meaningful working relationships, while remote days provide flexibility and focus.
What you’ll be involved in:
- Designing, writing, and executing test plans and test cases for APIs and applications within the game engine
- Creating and maintaining manual and automated API tests using Postman
- Managing Postman collections and environments
- Validating response formats, status codes, business logic, and data integrity
- Identifying risks and gaps, supporting confident and well‑informed releases
- Integrating API tests into CI/CD pipelines
- Supporting promotion of releases in test environments and providing QA sign‑off
- Carrying out performance and load testing, identifying regressions or bottlenecks
- Ensuring testing evidence aligns with regulatory and compliance requirements
- Supporting audit readiness and traceability
- Sharing knowledge through mentoring and peer collaboration
- Contributing to continuous improvement across QA practices, tools, and processes
What’s looked for:
- Experience is important, but so is approach. A thoughtful, collaborative mindset and an interest in quality make a real difference in this role.
- Experience testing RESTful APIs using Postman, including JavaScript‑based test scripting
- Understanding of HTTP methods, status codes, JSON schemas, and API authentication
- Experience working in environments where quality and compliance are important
- Familiarity with version control and CI/CD pipelines
- Confidence communicating with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
- Experience working within agile teams
- Attention to detail, alongside a pragmatic, risk‑based approach
- A collaborative and open way of working
- Curiosity and a proactive mindset, especially in evolving environments
- An interest in learning, sharing knowledge, and developing skills
Nice to have (but not essential):
- Experience with Newman and CI integration
- Familiarity with backend technologies for debugging
- Exposure to performance or load testing tools
- Experience testing real‑time systems or engine‑based platforms
Why tombola:
tombola offers a supportive and friendly environment where people look out for each other and quality is genuinely valued. There’s space to grow, opportunities to learn, and encouragement to share ideas. Hybrid working is supported, alongside a people‑first culture and a range of benefits focused on wellbeing and development. For those looking to make an impact, work collaboratively, and help shape how quality is approached, this could be a great fit.
Senior Test Engineer · Sunderland, UK · employer: Tombola
Contact Detail:
Tombola Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Test Engineer · Sunderland, UK ·
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out tombola's values and how they work. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their collaborative environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've designed and executed test plans or worked with APIs. This will demonstrate your expertise and how you can contribute to quality engineering at tombola.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical folks, make sure you can explain complex concepts in a simple way. This will help you stand out as a collaborative team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the tombola team and contributing to their mission of quality and collaboration.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Test Engineer · Sunderland, UK ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Test Engineer role. Highlight your experience with RESTful APIs, Postman, and any relevant projects that showcase your collaborative mindset and attention to detail.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills—demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate how you've contributed to quality assurance and continuous improvement in previous roles.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value a thoughtful and proactive approach, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for quality and your curiosity about evolving technologies.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll find all the details you need to get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tombola
✨Know Your APIs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of RESTful APIs, especially how to test them using Postman. Be ready to discuss your experience with API testing, including any JavaScript-based test scripting you've done. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tools but can also apply them effectively.
✨Show Off Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role emphasises teamwork, be prepared to share examples of how you've worked closely with developers and other teams in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, as this will demonstrate your collaborative mindset.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about your approach to quality assurance and how you’ve contributed to improving QA practices in previous roles. Mention any specific tools or processes you’ve implemented that have led to better outcomes, as this aligns perfectly with what tombola is looking for.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and risk-based thinking. Think of scenarios where you identified risks or gaps in testing and how you addressed them. This will showcase your proactive mindset and attention to detail, which are crucial for this position.