Principal QA Engineer

Very Group; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail technology company is seeking an experienced Principal QA Engineer to join their technology team in Liverpool. You will lead the QA approach within an agile squad, ensuring the highest quality standards for products. With over 5 years of QA experience and a passion for automation, you will advocate for best practices and collaborate closely with stakeholders. This role offers a flexible hybrid working model and various benefits including a £1000 flexible benefits allowance.

Benefits

Flexible, hybrid working model

£1000 flexible benefits allowance

30 days holiday + bank holidays

Bonus potential (performance and business-related)

Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

Matched pension up to 6%

Qualifications

• 5+ years of QA and testing experience.
• Proven expertise in software testing methodologies.
• Experience delivering within an SDLC framework.
• Strong exploratory and technical testing skills.
• Experience with Test-Driven approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the QA capability within your squad.
• Drive an automation-first strategy for testing.
• Oversee preparation and documentation for QA activities.
• Own the overall test plan and accountability.
• Collaborate with engineers to prevent defects.

Skills

QA leadership

Software testing

Agile methodologies

Automation testing

API testing tools

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Postman

Swagger

SOAPUI

Karate

Job description

About us.

We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

About the role.

We’re looking for an experienced Principal QA Engineer to join our technology team and help shape the future of quality engineering at The Very Group.

As a Principal QA Engineer, you’ll lead the QA approach within an agile squad, ensuring that products meet the highest standards for quality, compliance, and customer experience. You’ll play a key role in ensuring adherence to our delivery framework and SDLC principles, while driving an automation‑first approach across all functional and non‑functional testing.

You’ll work closely with the Performance Unit QA Engineering Manager, Engineers, and other stakeholders to embed quality throughout the product lifecycle, championing modern testing practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the QA capability within your squad in line with The Very Group’s tech standards.
• Ensure a Test‑Driven approach is adopted for all work.
• Drive an automation‑first strategy for functional and non‑functional testing.
• Oversee preparation, documentation, and evidence capture for all QA activities.
• Own the overall test plan and test approach, taking full accountability for its successful delivery.
• Work closely with the offshore resource management team to coach and mentor team members, fostering growth and alignment with The Very Group’s standards and values.
• Promote a value‑add approach in all delivery activities.
• Review lessons learned and share insights across squads and the QA community.
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to prevent defects and improve quality throughout the SDLC.

About you

You’re a hands‑on QA leader with a passion for quality and a proven track record in delivering robust, compliant, and high‑performing solutions. You thrive in agile environments and enjoy influencing teams to adopt best practices in testing and automation.

What you’ll bring

• 5+ years of QA and testing experience at both leadership and practitioner levels.
• Proven expertise in software testing and modern QA methodologies.
• Strong experience delivering within an SDLC framework, ensuring compliance with regulatory and governance standards.
• Experience in any of Financial Services, Retail and Logistics would be beneficial.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a curious, collaborative mindset.
• Experience leading and influencing teams in QA best practices.
• Strong exploratory and technical testing skills.
• Experience with Test‑Driven approaches (ATDD, BDD, TDD).
• Proficiency in at least one programming language for automation, with the ability to learn others.
• Experience with API testing tools (Postman, Swagger, SOAPUI, Karate).
• Strong knowledge of non‑functional testing, particularly performance and security.

Some of our benefits

• Flexible, hybrid working model
• Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
• £1000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• LinkedIn learning access
• Bonus potential (performance and business‑related)
• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
• Matched pension up to 6%
• More benefits can be found on our career site

How to apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.