Lead Software Developer in Test

Scale Factory (formerly Ten10); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Pension

Health benefits

Gym support

Travel loans

Rail cards

EV salary sacrifice

Hybrid/work flexibility

Team events

Training & certs

Job summary

Scale Factory seeks a Lead Software Developer in Test to own technical delivery, lead teams, and build lasting client relationships. You will lead the design and implementation of robust automation solutions across multiple projects, while mentoring SDETs and shaping the QA strategy with a focus on quality metrics and delivery excellence.

You will engage directly with clients, influence testing approaches, and contribute to pre-sales and project scoping.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in QA/testing roles, with experience guiding teams and managing delivery in Agile environments (SCRUM, Kanban).
• Experience designing and implementing automated test frameworks and strategies.
• Ability to engage with clients and shape testing approaches across projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of robust, scalable automation solutions across multiple projects and clients.
• Mentor and coach a team of SDETs, fostering growth, upskilling, and best practices in testing and automation.
• Own the QA strategy on projects - setting vision for test architecture, tooling, quality metrics, and delivery excellence.
• Engage directly with clients as a trusted advisor, understanding business needs and aligning testing approaches accordingly.
• Contribute to pre-sales and project scoping, helping shape engagements from inception through delivery.

Skills

Leadership in QA/testing

Agile delivery leadership (SCRUM/Kanba

Security Clearance eligibility

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring testers

Test strategy

Test architecture

CI/CD integration

Tools

Selenium

Playwright

Cypress

RestAssured

JMeter

Gatling

K6

Neoload

Jenkins

GitLab CI

Azure DevOps

Job description

We are an AI enablement consultancy. Delivering quality-led AI-first foundations, embedding capability and excellence into the foundational fabric of the companies we work with. We give leaders the confidence to move faster, take smarter risks and pursue transformation.

Formerly Ten10, we have deep roots in Quality which means we don’t just build for the future, we ensure it actually works. We combine this engineering discipline with cutting-edge AI expertise to deliver robust, scalable foundations that turn ambitious transformation into reliable reality.

Here’s why you’ll love being part of our team:

• Exciting Projects: Collaborate on challenging, impactful projects with a wide range of industries - from finance to government and beyond
• Career Growth: Tailored training and development opportunities to help you reach your goals
• Team Culture: Join a supportive, inclusive team that values collaboration, creativity, and innovation
• Flexibility: Hybrid working lets you balance work and life

About the Role

This role is designed for individuals who want to own technical delivery, lead teams, and build lasting client relationships. As a Lead Software Developer in Test, you will:

• Lead the design and implementation of robust, scalable automation solutions across multiple projects and clients
• Mentor and coach a team of SDETs, fostering growth, upskilling, and driving best practices in testing and automation
• Own the QA strategy on projects - setting the vision for test architecture, tooling, quality metrics, and delivery excellence
• Engage directly with clients as a trusted advisor, understanding business needs and aligning our testing approach accordingly
• Contribute to pre-sales and project scoping, helping shape engagements from inception through delivery

What We’re Looking For

We understand leadership takes many forms. If you're driven to inspire others, lead innovation, and take ownership of delivery, we'd love to hear from you.

• Eligibility for Security Clearance
• Proven leadership in QA/testing roles, with experience guiding teams and managing delivery in Agile environments (SCRUM, Kanban)
• Deep expertise in test automation frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or RestAssured
• Experience with integration testing, test strategy, and test architecture at the project or program level
• Familiarity with performance testing tools such as JMeter, Gatling, K6, or Neoload
• Skilled in CI/CD pipeline integration (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
• Excellent stakeholder communication and ability to navigate complex client landscapes.
• Experience mentoring testers and fostering a culture of continuous learning and delivery excellence.

Bonus Points For:

• Previous consultancy or professional services experience.
• Hands-on experience with additional programming languages like Python, Ruby, Scala, or PHP.
• Exposure to cloud platforms and infrastructure-as-code within test environment

What’s in It for You?

At Scale Factory, we believe in recognising and rewarding great work. Here’s what you can expect:

• 25 Days of Annual Leave: Plus 1 extra day every year for the first three years, with a holiday buying scheme.
• Pension Plan: Employer-matched contributions up to 5%.
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive coverage for medical, dental, optical, and alternative therapies.
• Fitness Support: Subsidised gym memberships and a bike-to-work scheme.
• Commuter Benefits: Season ticket loans to make travel easier.
• Free Annual Rail Cards
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Flexible Work Model: Hybrid working that fits your lifestyle.
• Social Events: From annual kick-offs and Christmas parties to team socials and sporting events, we love celebrating success together.
• Training & Development: Tailored learning opportunities and full support for certifications to keep your skills sharp.

Let’s Build the Future Together

We’re on the lookout for passionate, talented individuals who are ready to make an impact.