At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality engineering strategy across web, mobile, and cloud infrastructure.
- Company: Renowned UK retail brand investing in engineering maturity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and influence over technology outcomes.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor teams and drive measurable improvements.
- Why this job: Shape the future of quality in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in ERP testing and building scalable automation frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is a genuinely senior, function-defining position — not another QA management title. As Principal SDET, you'd own the entire quality engineering strategy across web, mobile, ERP, and cloud/on-premise infrastructure, working hand-in-hand with engineering, DevOps, and product to embed automation-first testing at every level. You'd architect the test frameworks, define the KPIs that measure release confidence, and build the CI/CD-integrated testing culture that lets the business ship faster without sacrificing quality. Reporting into the Director of Software Engineering, this is a genuine seat at the leadership table — someone shaping how an entire engineering organisation thinks about quality, not just running a test team.
We're looking for someone who can operate at two very different altitudes at once: hands-on enough to design and build scalable test automation frameworks (Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, or similar), yet senior enough to set strategy, influence engineering culture, and communicate quality risk clearly to non-technical stakeholders. The standout differentiator is ERP testing experience — genuinely rare paired with strong modern automation leadership, since most senior automation leaders come from pure web/app backgrounds. This is someone who's already led a QA or test engineering function, built and mentored a team, and driven measurable improvements in coverage, defect leakage, or release speed — not just contributed to someone else's strategy.
This is a well-established, instantly recognisable UK retail brand operating at real omnichannel scale — physical stores, e-commerce, and a technology estate spanning legacy ERP systems through to modern cloud infrastructure. It's a business investing seriously in engineering maturity right now, treating quality as a genuine strategic priority rather than an afterthought bolted onto delivery. For the right person, it's a chance to shape how a fast-paced, well-known retail environment builds and ships technology — with real visibility and real influence over outcomes customers actually experience.
Principal SDET in Slough employer: WeComm
WeComm is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of innovation and collaboration within its dynamic data team in Greater London. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional growth, with opportunities to work on impactful data projects that drive ethical craftsmanship and sustainability. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven brand that values your contributions and fosters a supportive work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal SDET in Slough
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at WeComm or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to WeComm.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like WeComm.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like WeComm that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal SDET in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at WeComm.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at WeComm and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at WeComm
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If WeComm uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
