Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead - DV Cleared

LA International Computer Consultants Ltd; Hart; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

LA International Computer Consultants Ltd is seeking an Agile Quality and Test Automation Lead to drive automated testing strategy across multiple Agile teams. The role emphasizes delivering scalable test frameworks and integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines while embedding QA into SAFe planning and ceremonies.

You will mentor test automation engineers, promote shift-left practices, and collaborate with development, security and delivery teams to maintain high quality standards in a

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in software quality engineering and automated testing.
• Leadership of QA governance across SAFe environments and CI/CD pipelines.
• Advanced experience with Selenium, Playwright, Cypress or RestAssured.
• Strong programming or scripting in Python, Java or JavaScript.
• Experience integrating automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines.
• 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, 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 CAT certification.
• Agile or SAFe certification (SAFe Practitioner, Scrum Master, etc.).
• ITIL Foundation certification.

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

Automation testing

SAFe / Agile governance

CI/CD pipelines

Selenium

Playwright

Cypress

RestAssured

Python/Java/JavaScript

Security testing

Mentoring & leadership

Stakeholder management

Agile facilitation

DV Clearance

Education

ISTQB Certification

Technical NVQ Level 4 / degree or equivalent

Agile/Safe Certification (e.g., SAFe Practitioner, Scrum Master)

ITIL Foundation certification

Tools

GitLab CI

Jenkins

Azure DevOps

SAFe tooling

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.