Automation Test Software Engineer

SII Group; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SII UK seeks a Software Automation Test Engineer to join our engineering team, developing validation frameworks for connected devices and intelligent digital products. You will design and build end-to-end automation in a Python-based environment, interfacing with physical hardware to enable large-scale validation and QA across device fleets.

The role demands strong Python development expertise and experience building automation solutions for hardware, embedded, or IoT systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronics, or related field or equivalent.
• Commercial experience in Python software development.
• Proven experience building automated testing frameworks.
• Experience automating tests against hardware, embedded systems, or IoT devices.
• Production-quality software delivery following best practices.
• Experience with hardware test environments and device validation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain end-to-end Python-based test automation frameworks.
• Create automation that validates physical devices and hardware platforms.
• Build device abstraction layers, libraries, and utilities for testing.
• Develop scalable testbed infrastructure for automated execution across fleets.
• Design frameworks for reliable validation in labs and production.
• Maintain APIs, services, and backend components for automation.
• Add monitoring, logging, and diagnostic features in automation platforms.
• Apply software engineering best practices and design patterns.
• Collaborate with global engineering and QA teams.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues across environments.
• Support continuous improvement for automation efficiency and reliability.
• Contribute to design reviews and process improvements.
• Mentor teammates and share knowledge.

Skills

Python

Test automation

Hardware integration

Embedded/IoT testing

RESTful APIs

CI/CD

Git

Linux

Docker

Kubernetes

Networking basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related

Tools

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD pipelines

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.