Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead - DV Cleared

LA International; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

LA International is seeking an Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead to drive automated testing across the UK public-sector delivery. The role requires an Active DV Clearance and hands-on leadership of QA across SAFe environments with CI/CD integration.

You will design robust automated testing strategies, establish metrics and release gates, mentor engineers and collaborate with development and security teams to maintain high-quality delivery while balancing tight schedules.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in software quality engineering and automated testing.
• Proven ability to govern QA across SAFe environments and CI/CD pipelines.
• Advanced expertise with automation tools Selenium, Playwright, Cypress or RestAssured.
• Strong programming or scripting skills in Python, Java or JavaScript.
• Experience integrating automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines.
• Deep understanding of functional, regression, non-functional and security testing.
• Experience implementing automated quality gates, metrics and reporting.
• Knowledge of secure development practices and UK public-sector compliance.
• Strong leadership, mentoring and agile facilitation skills.
• Ability balance quality standards with tight delivery schedules.
• Industry certifications and SAFe/Agile qualifications are advantageous.
• ITIL Foundation knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement automated testing strategies covering functional, non-functional, regression and security testing.
• Establish and maintain scalable test automation frameworks.
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI, Jenkins or Azure DevOps.
• Embed quality assurance into SAFe PI Planning, Scrum ceremonies and backlog refinement.
• Establish automated quality gates, testing metrics and release readiness dashboards.
• Monitor defect leakage, testing effectiveness and quality risks.
• Lead quality assurance governance across multiple Agile delivery teams.
• Mentor and coach test automation engineers in modern testing practices.
• Promote shift-left testing, defect prevention and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with development, security and delivery teams to maintain quality standards.

Skills

QA governance

SAFe/agile leadership

CI/CD integration

Test automation strategy

Selenium/Playwright/Cypress/RestAssure

Python/Java/JavaScript

Security testing

Quality metrics & gates

Secure development practices

Stakeholder management

Mentoring/test automation engineers

Education

Technical NVQ Level 4 or equivalent

Relevant degree

Certifications: ISTQB CAT/Automation

Tools

Selenium

Playwright

Cypress

RestAssured

Job description

Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead

Must have an Active DV Clearance

Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead Responsibilities

• Design and implement automated testing strategies covering functional, non-functional, regression and security testing.
• Establish and maintain scalable test automation frameworks.
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines using GitLab CI, Jenkins or Azure DevOps.
• Embed quality assurance into SAFe PI Planning, Scrum ceremonies and backlog refinement.
• Establish automated quality gates, testing metrics and release readiness dashboards.
• Monitor defect leakage, testing effectiveness and quality risks.
• Lead quality assurance governance across multiple Agile delivery teams.
• Mentor and coach test automation engineers in modern testing practices.
• Promote shift-left testing, defect prevention and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with development, security and delivery teams to maintain quality standards.

Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in software quality engineering and automated testing.
• Solid experience leading quality assurance governance across SAFe environments and CI/CD pipelines.
• Advanced experience with Selenium, Playwright, Cypress or RestAssured.
• Strong programming or scripting skills in Python, Java or JavaScript.
• Experience integrating automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong understanding of functional, regression, non-functional and security testing.
• Experience implementing automated quality gates, metrics and reporting.
• Knowledge of secure development practices and UK public-sector compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, stakeholder management and Agile facilitation skills.
• Experience balancing quality standards with demanding delivery schedules.
• Technical NVQ Level 4, relevant degree or equivalent vocational experience.
• ISTQB Test Automation Engineer, Technical Test Analyst or Certified Agile Tester (CAT) certification.
• Agile or SAFe certification, such as SAFe Practitioner, Scrum Master or Agile Software Engineering.
• ITIL Foundation certification.

Due to high volume of applications, only shortlisted CVs will be contacted.

Due to the nature and urgency of this post, candidates holding or who have held high level security clearance in the past are most welcome to apply. Please note successful applicants will be required to be security cleared prior to appointment which can take a minimum 18 weeks. LA International is an award-winning partner of choice for many of the world's most influential companies and government organisations. Holding Enhanced Government Security Accreditation, we are recognised as the European market leader in the delivery of Security Cleared talent to organisations that demand the very highest levels of security, compliance and assurance.

An award-winning organisation, having secured the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade over multiple years. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background or identity, and we encourage candidates who may not meet every listed requirement to still apply. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure a fair and accessible experience.

Please Note: If a high volume of applications is received, only candidates shortlisted will be contacted.