Principal Test Engineer

Matchtech; Greater London, Bournemouth, Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a leading organisation in the technology and insurance sector, is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to provide technical leadership across complex technology programmes.

This permanent role offers a hybrid working pattern with two days per week in London, Bournemouth or Stockport offices, plus flexible working options. The role involves owning testing strategy, driving quality across large-scale systems and mentoring test engineers.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading testing and quality engineering across large-scale, complex technology programmes.
• Expertise in test engineering, software testing, test automation and modern quality practices.
• Experience designing automation frameworks and embedding testing within CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong capability in a modern programming language, with API/microservices/testing distributed systems experience.
• Experience defining testing strategies, governance frameworks and enterprise-wide quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end software testing lifecycle across large-scale programmes.
• Own testing strategy, governance and delivery across multiple projects.
• Design and evolve scalable test automation frameworks with CI/CD integration.
• Provide technical leadership on testing standards and best practices.
• Drive quality across distributed systems including microservices and cloud environments.
• Influence senior stakeholders and product teams on requirements and launch readiness.
• Lead non-functional testing strategies covering performance, accessibility and security.
• Coach and mentor test engineers and contribute to communities of practice.

Skills

Test leadership

Quality engineering

Automation framework design

CI/CD testing

APIs & microservices testing

Non-functional testing

Stakeholder management

Job description

Our client, a leading organisation in the technology and insurance sector, is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to provide technical leadership across complex technology programmes. This permanent role offers a hybrid working pattern, with two days per week based in the London, Bournemouth or Stockport office, alongside flexible working options.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end software testing lifecycle across large-scale programmes, including planning, estimation, execution, defect management and reporting
• Own testing strategy, governance and delivery across multiple projects, ensuring consistent and effective quality assurance
• Design and evolve scalable test automation frameworks, promoting automation standards, continuous integration and modern engineering practices
• Act as a recognised test engineering authority, providing technical leadership and guidance on testing standards and best practice
• Drive quality across complex distributed systems, including microservices, APIs, cloud-based environments and multi-system integrations
• Influence senior stakeholders, architects, developers and product teams on requirements, testability, design decisions and launch readiness
• Lead non-functional testing strategies covering performance, accessibility and security, while researching emerging and AI-powered testing solutions
• Coach and mentor test engineers, contributing to communities of practice and the continued development of test engineering capability

Job Requirements:

• Significant experience leading testing and quality engineering across large-scale, complex technology programmes
• Recognised expertise in test engineering, software testing, test automation and modern quality practices
• Advanced experience designing automation frameworks and embedding testing within CI/CD pipelines
• Strong technical capability in a modern programming language, with experience testing APIs, microservices and distributed systems
• Experience defining and implementing testing strategies, governance frameworks and enterprise-wide quality standards
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate with third-party partners
• Understanding of non-functional testing, including performance, accessibility and security testing
• A proven ability to coach and develop test engineering talent, alongside an interest in innovation and AI-enabled testing practices

Benefits:

• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Employer pension contributions
• Comprehensive health insurance with access to rewards and wellbeing benefits
• Life assurance
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Professional development, career progression and opportunities to contribute to technical communities
• A supportive culture focused on wellbeing, inclusion, learning and continuous improvement
• Opportunities to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation and make a positive impact on society

If you are a Principal Test Engineer with expertise in software testing, automation framework design and quality strategy leadership, help shape reliable, scalable technology solutions across a range of customer journeys.