At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead QA efforts in an agile squad, ensuring top-notch product quality and compliance.
- Company: Join The Very Group, a company dedicated to enhancing family life and employee wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days holiday, and a £1000 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of quality engineering and drive innovation in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in QA leadership, strong testing skills, and experience with automation.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About us. We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.
About the role. We’re looking for an experienced Principal QA Engineer to join our technology team and help shape the future of quality engineering at The Very Group. As a Principal QA Engineer, you’ll lead the QA approach within an agile squad, ensuring that products meet the highest standards for quality, compliance, and customer experience. You’ll play a key role in ensuring adherence to our delivery framework and SDLC principles, while driving an automation-first approach across all functional and non-functional testing. You’ll work closely with the Performance Unit QA Engineering Manager, Engineers, and other stakeholders to embed quality throughout the product lifecycle, championing modern testing practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop the QA capability within your squad in line with The Very Group’s tech standards.
- Ensure a Test-Driven approach is adopted for all work.
- Drive an automation-first strategy for functional and non-functional testing.
- Oversee preparation, documentation, and evidence capture for all QA activities.
- Own the overall test plan and test approach, taking full accountability for its successful delivery.
- Work closely with the offshore resource management team to coach and mentor team members, fostering growth and alignment with The Very Group’s standards and values.
- Promote a value-add approach in all delivery activities.
- Review lessons learned and share insights across squads and the QA community.
- Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to prevent defects and improve quality throughout the SDLC.
About you You’re a hands-on QA leader with a passion for quality and a proven track record in delivering robust, compliant, and high-performing solutions. You thrive in agile environments and enjoy influencing teams to adopt best practices in testing and automation.
What you’ll bring:
- 5+ years of QA and testing experience at both leadership and practitioner levels.
- Proven expertise in software testing and modern QA methodologies.
- Strong experience delivering within an SDLC framework, ensuring compliance with regulatory and governance standards.
- Experience in any of Financial Services, Retail and Logistics would be beneficial.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a curious, collaborative mindset.
- Experience leading and influencing teams in QA best practices.
- Strong exploratory and technical testing skills.
- Experience with Test-Driven approaches (ATDD, BDD, TDD).
- Proficiency in at least one programming language for automation, with the ability to learn others.
- Experience with API testing tools (Postman, Swagger, SOAPUI, Karate).
- Strong knowledge of non-functional testing, particularly performance and security.
Some of our benefits:
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
- £1000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- LinkedIn learning access
- Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
Equal opportunities: We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Principal QA Engineer: Automation-First & SDLC Leader (Hybrid) in Liverpool employer: Very Group
At The Very Group, we prioritise the growth and wellbeing of our employees just as much as we do for our customers. As a Principal QA Engineer, you'll thrive in a flexible, hybrid working environment that fosters collaboration and innovation, while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package including a £1000 flexible benefits allowance, 30 days holiday, and opportunities for professional development through LinkedIn Learning. Join us to be part of a diverse and inclusive culture where your contributions truly matter and you can make a meaningful impact on both our products and your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal QA Engineer: Automation-First & SDLC Leader (Hybrid) in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at The Very Group on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your automation skills and QA methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented Test-Driven approaches in your past roles. Show us your passion for quality!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your technical skills; highlight your leadership experience too. Talk about how you've influenced teams and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. We love a collaborative mindset!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining The Very Group family.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal QA Engineer: Automation-First & SDLC Leader (Hybrid) in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal QA Engineer role. Highlight your leadership in QA, automation strategies, and any relevant experience in agile environments to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about quality engineering and how your background makes you a perfect fit for The Very Group. Share specific examples of your achievements in QA and automation to really stand out.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in programming languages for automation and any tools you’ve used for API testing. We love seeing candidates who are hands-on and can demonstrate their technical expertise!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at The Very Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Very Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your QA methodologies and automation tools. The Very Group is looking for someone with a solid understanding of Test-Driven Development and experience with API testing tools like Postman or Swagger. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've implemented these practices.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal QA Engineer, you'll be leading a squad, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've influenced teams in the past, fostered collaboration, and driven quality improvements. Highlight any mentoring experiences you've had with junior team members.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The Very Group values a culture of continuous improvement, so come prepared to discuss how you've implemented lessons learned from previous projects. Share specific instances where you've reviewed processes and made changes that enhanced quality or efficiency in your work.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with The Very Group's mission to help families get more out of life. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding customer experience and quality. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
