Lead Test Engineer

RedRock Resourcing; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

RedRock Resourcing is seeking an experienced Test Lead to own testing across its digital and IT estate. The role is hands-on but founded on senior leadership, shaping QA standards and governance while maturing the testing function.

You will drive test strategy, collaborate with developers, BAs, Product Owners and PMs, and report quality, risks and readiness to senior stakeholders as the QA function evolves.

Qualifications

• Hands-on leadership with manual testing experience.
• Capability to assess and improve QA approaches and standards.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Understanding of CI/CD and Agile/hybrid methods.
• Experience with Azure DevOps or similar tools.
• ISTQB certification or equivalent qualification.
• Experience introducing automated testing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide QA leadership and direction across testing activities
• Define and embed best practice for testing standards, processes and governance
• Plan and execute hands-on functional, regression, integration and system testing
• Improve test planning, defect management, traceability and release readiness
• Collaborate closely with developers, BAs, Product Owners and Project Managers
• Provide clear reporting on quality, risks and release readiness to senior stakeholders
• Help shape the future direction and maturity of the QA function

Skills

Manual testing leadership

QA leadership

CI/CD understanding

Agile/hybrid methodologies

Test management tools

Test automation knowledge

Education

ISTQB certification

Tools

Azure DevOps

Job description

I'm working with an established and growing global organisation that is looking for an experienced Test Lead to take ownership of testing across its digital and IT estate.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who has previously operated at a senior level and can provide the strategic oversight, standards and best practice needed to mature a QA function.

Responsibilities:

• Provide QA leadership and direction across testing activities
• Define and embed best practice for testing standards, processes and governance
• Plan and execute hands‑on functional, regression, integration and system testing
• Improve test planning, defect management, traceability and release readiness
• Collaborate closely with developers, BAs, Product Owners and Project Managers
• Provide clear reporting on quality, risks and release readiness to senior stakeholders
• Help shape the future direction and maturity of the QA function

Requirements:

• Excellent experience in manual software testing, ideally in a leadership capacity
• The ability to confidently assess an existing QA approach, identify what's missing and put robust standards and processes in place
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, and the experience in collaborating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• A strong understanding of CI/CD and Agile/hybrid methodologies
• Experience with Azure DevOps or similar test management tools
• A professional testing certification (e.g. ISTQB)
• Experience in introducing an automated testing suite, or knowledge of test automation would be a bonus

This is a great opportunity for an experienced QA Engineer who wants to define testing strategy and best practice, while remaining hands‑on in testing.