At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a small team to shape automation for Dynamics 365 and enhance testing processes.
- Company: Be part of the National Wealth Fund, driving investment confidence across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and unique learning opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of finance with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation testing, particularly with Playwright and C#.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. We are looking for skilled and results-oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the recently formed Quality Assurance function at the National Wealth Fund. You will be joining a small team and be instrumental in shaping automation across the application estate with a specific focus on our Dynamics 365 platform in this greenfield function.
The Principal Automation Test Specialist will report into the QA Test Manager and will be solely responsible for building upon and maintaining our recently established Playwright automation framework, predominantly (though not restricted to) our Dynamics 365 application.
Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office
Salary: Up to £55,000
Deadline to Apply: 12th July 2026. Early submission is encouraged, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The Principal Automation Test Specialist is responsible for delivering high-quality testing outcomes and for ensuring the reliability, quality and release readiness of solutions built on Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) and the Power Platform—including D365 Sales, D365 Real-time Marketing, and Power Apps (model-driven and/or canvas). This role places a strong emphasis on test automation using Playwright (with C#) and Azure DevOps.
Core Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and maintain automated test suites using Playwright with C#.
- Build automation for Dynamics 365 and Power Apps experiences (model-driven and/or canvas).
- Translate user stories, acceptance criteria, and process maps into low code automated test scenarios and reusable components.
- Build and maintain regression packs and smoke test suites to support frequent releases and platform updates.
- Integrate and execute automated tests within Azure DevOps pipelines.
- Manage test execution results, analyse failures, and improve script resilience.
- Identify, log, and manage defects using Azure DevOps.
- Collaborate with developers to triage failures and validate fixes.
- Ensure automation adheres to maintainable standards.
- Produce clear QA artefacts: execution reports, coverage summaries, defect trend insights, and release readiness updates.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of test practices, tooling choices, and automation strategy.
- Provide mentorship or guidance to other team members where required.
- Participate in and contribute to Agile ceremonies.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Experience within the Financial Services industry.
- Expert level understanding of all test phases across the SDLC.
- ISTQB tester accredited, with significant testing experience in both manual and automation testing.
- Excellent working knowledge of Agile and Scrum methodologies.
- Proficient using Playwright as a test automation tool.
- Strong C# fundamentals relevant to automation.
- Understanding of positive/negative testing, boundary analysis, equivalence partitioning, risk-based testing.
- Experience in Behaviour Driven Development (BDD).
- Strong knowledge of test automation principles.
- Experience of using testing tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira or ALM.
A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.
Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.
Principal Automation Test Specialist employer: UK National Wealth Fund
At the National Wealth Fund, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through unique learning opportunities that blend private and public sector expertise, empowering you to make a meaningful impact on the UK's future. With competitive benefits and a focus on driving national security and clean energy initiatives, joining our team means contributing to a mission that truly matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Automation Test Specialist
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like UK National Wealth Fund!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Principal Automation Test Specialist position at UK National Wealth Fund, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when UK National Wealth Fund is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Principal Automation Test Specialist role at UK National Wealth Fund!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Automation Test Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to UK National Wealth Fund and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK National Wealth Fund
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to UK National Wealth Fund.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at UK National Wealth Fund, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
