Automation Test Software Engineer

SII Group UK; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SII UK is seeking a Software Automation Test Engineer to join our engineering team, building Python-based end-to-end automation for connected devices and intelligent digital products.

You will design robust frameworks that interact with physical hardware, enabling large-scale validation and quality assurance across device fleets, while collaborating with global engineering, software development, and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical discipline.
• Commercial Python development experience.
• Proven experience building automated testing frameworks.
• Automation against hardware, embedded systems, or IoT devices.
• Production‑quality software with best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain end-to-end test automation frameworks in Python.
• Build automation that interfaces with physical devices and hardware platforms.
• Create reusable device abstractions, libraries, and testing utilities.
• Develop scalable testbed infrastructure for large device fleets.
• Design frameworks for reliable lab and production validation.
• Develop APIs, web services, and backend integrations and monitoring.

Skills

Python development

Automated test frameworks

Hardware integration

IoT devices testing

Software architecture

RESTful APIs

CI/CD

Git version control

Linux environments

Debugging hardware/software

Cloud platforms

Docker & Kubernetes

Device communications protocols

AI-assisted testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

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.

Who are we?

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.