At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of automated testing solutions for diverse client projects.
- Company: Join VE3, a growing tech consultancy focused on digital transformation and quality engineering.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, 25 days leave, hybrid work, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to work on large-scale digital transformation programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in quality engineering while mentoring talented engineers and using modern tech.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in test automation with strong programming skills in Java, C#, Python, or JavaScript.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Department: Quality Engineering & Testing
Reports To: Test Manager
About VE3:
VE3 is a growing technology consultancy delivering digital transformation, cloud, data, AI, cybersecurity, and managed services to public and private sector organisations across the UK. We help our clients deliver high-quality digital services through innovative engineering practices and modern quality assurance approaches.
We are looking for an experienced Senior Automation Test Engineer to lead the design and implementation of automated testing solutions across multiple client engagements. This role is ideal for someone passionate about quality engineering, automation, and continuous improvement.
Role Overview:
As a Senior Automation Test Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining scalable automation frameworks that improve software quality and accelerate delivery. You will work closely with developers, business analysts, DevOps engineers, and project managers to ensure quality is embedded throughout the software development lifecycle. You will also mentor junior testers, promote automation best practices, and contribute to the continuous evolution of VE3's Quality Engineering capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Test Automation:
- Design, develop, and maintain reusable automated test frameworks.
- Develop automated functional, regression, integration, and end-to-end tests.
- Identify suitable automation opportunities across projects.
- Improve test coverage while reducing manual effort.
- Review and optimise existing automation suites.
- Quality Engineering:
- Participate in requirements analysis and solution design to ensure quality is built into products from the outset.
- Develop comprehensive test strategies and automation plans.
- Perform API, UI, database, and integration testing.
- Support performance, accessibility, and security testing where required.
- Ensure traceability between requirements, test cases, and defects.
- CI/CD & DevOps:
- Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
- Support continuous testing using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar platforms.
- Collaborate with DevOps teams to improve release quality and deployment confidence.
- Analyse test execution results and troubleshoot failures.
- Technical Leadership:
- Mentor junior and mid-level automation engineers.
- Review automation code and promote coding standards.
- Contribute to technical design discussions and quality improvements.
- Recommend tools and technologies that enhance testing capability.
- Defect & Quality Management:
- Identify, document, and manage defects throughout the development lifecycle.
- Work closely with developers to resolve issues efficiently.
- Produce quality metrics and test reports for stakeholders.
- Client Engagement:
- Collaborate directly with client teams and stakeholders.
- Provide technical guidance on automation strategy and quality assurance.
- Represent VE3 professionally during client engagements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and quality workshops.
Technical Skills
Essential
- Strong experience in test automation (5+ years).
- Excellent programming skills in Java, C#, Python, or JavaScript/TypeScript.
- Experience with automation frameworks such as Selenium WebDriver, Playwright, Cypress, Appium (desirable).
- Experience testing REST APIs using Postman, Rest Assured, or similar tools.
- Strong SQL and database testing experience.
- Experience with Git version control.
- Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub, or Jira.
- Experience integrating automation into CI/CD pipelines.
- Strong understanding of Agile and Scrum methodologies.
Desirable:
- Performance testing using JMeter, Gatling, or LoadRunner.
- Accessibility testing (WCAG 2.1/2.2).
- Cloud platform experience (Azure, AWS, or GCP).
- Docker and Kubernetes exposure.
- Experience testing microservices and cloud-native applications.
- Knowledge of BDD frameworks such as Cucumber or SpecFlow.
Essential Experience
- Experience designing automation frameworks from scratch.
- Experience leading automation initiatives on complex projects.
- Experience working in Agile delivery teams.
- Experience mentoring or leading automation engineers.
- Experience producing automation strategies and quality reports.
- Experience working with public sector or enterprise clients is advantageous.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Passion for quality engineering and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
- Collaborative team player with mentoring capability.
- Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to identifying risks and improvements.
Benefits
What We Offer:
- Private medical insurance
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Professional training and certification support
- Hybrid working
- Opportunities to work on large-scale digital transformation programmes across the UK public and private sectors
- Career progression into Test Lead, Automation Architect, or Quality Engineering Manager roles
Why Join VE3?
At VE3, quality is at the core of everything we deliver. You'll have the opportunity to work on innovative digital transformation programmes, help shape our automation capability, mentor talented engineers, and work with modern technologies in a collaborative and supportive environment. Whether building automation frameworks, improving CI/CD pipelines, or advising clients on quality engineering best practices, you'll play a key role in delivering reliable, scalable, and high-performing software solutions.
Senior Automation Test Engineer employer: Ve3 Inc
VE3 is an exceptional employer that prioritises quality and innovation in a collaborative environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to professional training, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to work on impactful digital transformation projects across various sectors. The hybrid working model and comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and generous leave, make VE3 an attractive choice for those seeking a meaningful career in technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Automation Test Engineer
✨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 Ve3 Inc!
✨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 Senior Automation Test Engineer position at Ve3 Inc, 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 Ve3 Inc 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 Senior Automation Test Engineer role at Ve3 Inc!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Automation Test Engineer
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 Ve3 Inc 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 Ve3 Inc
✨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 Ve3 Inc.
✨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 Ve3 Inc, 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.
