Lead QA Automation Engineer

Itecopeople; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 92,000 - 111,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Office two days a week

Job summary

Itecopeople is seeking a technically hands-on Lead QA Automation Engineer to own testing for an integration project on a 6-month contract. You will define the testing strategy, establish automation frameworks and coordinate testing across internal teams and up to 20 third parties and 3 external contractors.

A hybrid pattern requires two office days weekly with remote work the rest. You will lead integration, API, functional and regression testing, ensuring quality, coverage and timely delivery

Qualifications

• Experience in Social Housing or Housing Association environments.
• Hands-on QA Automation Lead or Test Lead experience.
• Experience setting up test frameworks and writing automated tests.
• Experience testing complex integrations and enterprise systems (APIs/data flows).
• Proficiency with CI/CD and DevOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the test strategy, plans and quality standards across internal and supplier-led delivery.
• Set up, develop and maintain automated test frameworks and CI/CD integration.
• Lead integration, API, functional and regression testing; support UAT and performance testing.
• Review test cases, automation scripts and supplier testing evidence.
• Own defect management and risk-based prioritisation; drive resolution.
• Coordinate test environments and data; support release readiness decisions.
• Communicate progress, risks and quality issues to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Hold suppliers and contractors accountable and conduct constructive conversations.
• Coach colleagues and improve testing practices across the project.

Skills

Hands-on testing

QA automation

Stakeholder management

Test strategy

CI/CD

Agile/Scrum

Leadership

Supplier management

Communication

Education

ISTQB QA qualification

Degree in IT/QA

Tools

C#

Postman

REST API testing

Selenium

Cypress

Playwright

BDD frameworks

Job description

Lead QA Automation Engineer / Hands-On Test Lead

Contract: 6 months

Rate: Up to £550 per day, Outside IR35, depending on experience

Working arrangement: Hybrid - two days in the office, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and three days from home. Flexibility is required to meet business needs.

Our client is seeking a technically hands-on QA Automation Lead to take ownership of testing for an integration project, combining practical test delivery with strong supplier and stakeholder management.

You will define the testing approach, establish test automation frameworks and carry out testing across interconnected systems. Alongside this, you will liaise with up to 20 third parties and three external contractors, coordinating testing activity, challenging delivery quality and ensuring issues are resolved.

The role

• Define and deliver the test strategy, plans and quality standards across internal and supplier-led delivery.
• Set up, develop and maintain automated test frameworks, integrating automation into CI/CD pipelines.
• Lead and carry out integration, API, functional and regression testing, supporting UAT and performance testing.
• Review test cases, automation scripts, coverage and supplier testing evidence.
• Own defect management, prioritising issues according to business risk and driving resolution.
• Coordinate test environments and test data, supporting release readiness decisions.
• Communicate progress, risks and quality issues clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Hold suppliers and contractors accountable, handling challenging conversations constructively.
• Coach colleagues and improve testing practices across the project.

What you'll bring

• Experience of working in Social Housing / Housing Association (or Housing supplied by a local authority) organisation.
• Proven experience in a hands-on QA Automation Lead or Test Lead role.
• Strong practical experience setting up test frameworks, writing automated tests and executing testing yourself.
• Experience testing complex integrations and enterprise systems, including APIs and data flows.
• Experience with relevant tools and technologies such as C#, Postman, REST API testing, Selenium, Cypress, Playwright or BDD frameworks.
• A strong understanding of manual and automated testing, CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Experience managing quality across multiple third-party suppliers and full delivery lifecycles.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge stakeholders and drive action.
• Experience working in Agile environments, such as Scrum or Kanban.
• A relevant testing or QA qualification, such as ISTQB, and a degree or equivalent experience in a related field.

This opportunity would suit someone who combines technical testing expertise with the confidence and judgement to lead quality across a complex supplier landscape.

Services Advertised are those of an Employment Business