Automation Test Software Engineer

SII Group; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SII UK is seeking a Software Automation Test Engineer to join our engineering team. You will design and build Python-based automation frameworks that interact with physical hardware and IoT devices, enabling large-scale validation and quality assurance across fleets.

The role combines software engineering, test automation, infrastructure development, and systems integration in a collaborative setting. Candidates should have strong Python development experience and hardware automation exposure.

Qualifications

• Commercial Python development experience.
• Experience building automated testing frameworks for hardware/IoT devices.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain end-to-end test automation frameworks in Python.
• Develop automation that validates physical devices and hardware platforms.
• Build reusable device abstractions, libraries, and utilities.
• Support scalable testbed infrastructure for large device fleets.
• Create reliable validation frameworks for lab and production environments.
• Develop APIs, services, SDKs, and backend components for automation.
• Implement monitoring, logging, and diagnostics within automation platforms.
• Apply software engineering best practices and modular design.

Skills

Python

Automated test frameworks

Hardware integration

Embedded/IoT experience

RESTful APIs

CI/CD

Git

Linux

Docker

Kubernetes

Device communication protocols

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/SE/EE or related field

Tools

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tools

Job description

SII UK is seeking a SOFTWARE AUTOMATION TEST ENGINEER to join our growing engineering team developing advanced validation frameworks for connected devices and intelligent digital products.

Working within a Python-based environment, you will design and build robust end-to-end automation frameworks that interact directly with physical hardware, enabling large-scale validation and quality assurance across device fleets. The role combines software engineering, test automation, infrastructure development, and systems integration, providing an opportunity to work on complex real-world products in a highly collaborative engineering environment.

The successful candidate will have strong Python development expertise and experience building automation solutions for hardware, embedded, or IoT-based systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, and maintain end-to-end test automation frameworks using Python.

• Create automation solutions that interact with and validate physical devices and hardware platforms.

• Build reusable device abstraction layers, automation libraries, and testing utilities.

• Develop scalable testbed infrastructure supporting automated execution across large device fleets.

• Design and implement frameworks that support reliable and repeatable validation in laboratory and production environments.

• Build and maintain APIs, web services, microservices, SDKs, and supporting backend services.

• Develop monitoring, reporting, logging, and diagnostic capabilities within automation platforms.

• Apply software engineering best practices including code quality standards, design patterns, modular architecture, and automated testing.

• Collaborate closely with global engineering, software development, and quality teams.

• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and automation issues across multiple environments.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives for automation efficiency, scalability, and reliability.

• Contribute to technical design reviews, architecture discussions, and process improvements.

• Share knowledge and mentor team members to support engineering excellence.

• Produce clear technical documentation and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Strong Python software development skills.
• Experience designing and developing automated test frameworks.
• Knowledge of hardware integration and device communication protocols.
• Experience testing physical products, embedded systems, or IoT devices.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, object-oriented design, and design patterns.
• Experience with RESTful APIs, web services, and backend system integration.
• Knowledge of automation infrastructure, test orchestration, and execution platforms.
• Experience using source control systems such as Git.
• Understanding of continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices.
• Experience debugging complex hardware and software interactions.
• Knowledge of Linux-based development and testing environments.
• Experience with IoT device ecosystems and connected products.
• Knowledge of networking concepts including TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and device provisioning.
• Experience with embedded software validation and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and distributed systems.
• Experience developing automation for camera, sensor, consumer electronics, or smart device platforms.
• Exposure to AI-assisted testing, machine learning validation, or Generative AI technologies.
• Experience with containerisation technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Commercial experience in software development using Python.
• Proven experience building and maintaining automated testing frameworks.
• Experience developing automation against physical hardware, embedded systems, or IoT devices.
• Experience delivering production-quality software solutions following software engineering best practices.
• Experience working with hardware test environments, laboratories, or device validation systems.
• Experience integrating automation solutions into CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies.
• Experience collaborating within cross-functional engineering teams.

With five strategic offices in Belfast, Chester, Farnborough, London and Oxford, we work in partnership with our customers UK-wide to deliver high-impact engineering solutions.

SII UK is a trusted Aerospace and Defence engineering partner, supporting the delivery of complex, mission-critical programmes while helping to shape the future of innovation across next-generation systems and technologies.

Our teams contribute daily to creating a fulfilling, stimulating and career development focused work environment.

True to our human-centred values, we are committed to making SII UK a Great Place To Work, having been certified 5 years running.

Joining SII UK means being part of our collective goals, guided by our mission "Let's Tech Together," and helping to build a digital future that is sustainable, at the heart of an environment that values learning & collaboration.