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, generous holiday, and a £1000 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of quality engineering and make a real impact on customer experience.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in QA with strong leadership and technical testing skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 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 will 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 are valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal QA Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at The Very Group. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your QA knowledge and the latest testing methodologies. We want to see your passion for quality, so be ready to share examples of how you've driven automation and best practices in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Principal QA Engineer, you'll need to lead a squad. Be prepared to discuss how you've mentored others and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in your past experiences.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining The Very Group and being part of our mission to help families get more out of life.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal QA Engineer
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 you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your past successes in QA and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
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 for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining The Very Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Very Group
✨Know Your QA Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your QA methodologies and testing strategies. The Very Group is looking for someone who can lead with a Test-Driven approach, so be ready to discuss how you've implemented this in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal QA Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've influenced best practices in QA and fostered a culture of continuous improvement within your squad.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Automation
The role emphasises an automation-first strategy, so come prepared to talk about your experience with automation tools and frameworks. Highlight any programming languages you're proficient in and how you've applied them in your testing processes.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with The Very Group's mission and values. Being able to connect your QA expertise to their goal of enhancing customer experience will show that you're not just a techie, but also aligned with their purpose of helping families get more out of life.
