Principal QA Engineer - Python Automation

Ocho People; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Belfast seeks a Principal QA Engineer to drive Python-based automation strategy within a dynamic environment. This role involves technical leadership, designing advanced automation frameworks, and mentoring engineers across QA and development teams. Candidates should have over 7 years of automated testing experience, strong Python skills, and a profound understanding of distributed systems. The position offers a competitive salary of up to £65k along with a flexible hybrid working model, private pension, and healthcare.

Benefits

Salary up to £65k

Flexible hybrid working model

Private pension scheme

Private healthcare

High spec equipment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of automated testing experience in high reliability domains.
• Expert level Python development applied to automation frameworks.
• Strong understanding of performance behaviour in low latency systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation across testing types.
• Architect and maintain advanced Python automation frameworks.
• Drive modernization of existing automation tooling and infrastructure.

Skills

Automated testing experience

Python development skills

Understanding of distributed architectures

Knowledge of Linux environments

Leadership within Agile teams

Ability to drive automation strategy

Job description

Overview

Principal QA Engineer - Python Automation - Hybrid (Belfast)

As Principal QA Engineer, you will be the technical authority for automation strategy within a complex, distributed, low latency environment. You'll take ownership of evolving Liquidnet's automated testing ecosystem, shaping best practice, and introducing high impact Python driven automation across the SDLC. This role sits at the intersection of QA, DevOps and architecture, giving you genuine influence over quality engineering standards across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation across functional, regression, integration and performance testing
• Architect, design and maintain advanced Python based automation frameworks
• Drive the modernisation and optimisation of existing automation tooling and infrastructure
• Design and implement automated smoke and verification testing for production deployments
• Mentor and support engineers across QA and development to uplift automation capability
• Contribute to broader SDLC improvements, reliability initiatives and DevOps alignment

Essential Skills and Experience

• 7+ years\' automated testing experience, ideally within financial services or similarly high reliability domains
• Expert level Python development skills applied to automation frameworks and tooling
• Strong understanding of distributed architectures, low latency systems and performance behaviour
• Deep knowledge of Linux environments, SQL, messaging technologies and integration patterns
• Proven leadership or principal level influence within Agile engineering teams
• Ability to drive automation strategy, challenge assumptions and deliver measurable improvements

What They Offer

• Salary up to £65k
• Flexible hybrid working model
• Private pension scheme
• Private healthcare
• High spec equipment and modern engineering environment

For more information, connect with Neill Ferguson on LinkedIn or submit your CV via the link below.