QA Architect

Weightmans; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Weightmans is seeking a QA Architect to define, govern, and evolve the organisation-wide testing strategy, frameworks, and standards across technology initiatives.

The role ensures testing is embedded across the delivery lifecycle, guiding design, tooling, and governance to reduce production defects and improve quality outcomes. Strong experience in leadership and multiple delivery methodologies is expected.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a Testing Architect, Test Manager, or Senior QA leadership role.
• Experience driving organisation wide testing standards, strategies and frameworks (governance & test delivery).
• Experience across Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery methodologies; CI/CD integration.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the IT testing strategy covering functional, non-functional, security, performance, and integration testing.
• Establish testing frameworks and standards across delivery teams.
• Lead test automation initiatives and drive continuous testing within dev pipelines.
• Ensure quality gates are met prior to production releases and support project teams with test planning and execution.
• Define and track testing KPIs to drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Testing methodologies

Test automation

SDLC governance

QA leadership

Education

ISTQB Foundation Certification

OGAF awareness

Tools

Azure DevOps

Jira

Selenium

Playwright

Performance testing tools

Security testing tools

Job description

About your new role

The QA Architect is responsible for defining, governing, and evolving the organisation-wide testing strategy, frameworks, and standards across all technology initiatives.

The role ensures that all solutions are designed, implemented, and delivered with robust quality assurance practices aligned to the firm’s strategic goals, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements.

Working across technical teams and service delivery, the QA Architect will ensure testing is integrated throughout the delivery lifecycle.

The role will be responsible for ensuring test frameworks are applied to a range of technology initiatives, reducing the risk of bugs and issues in Production environments.

The role will provide leadership in test design, tooling, and governance. Ensuring consistency and efficiency across all IT services and projects.

Testing Strategy & Governance

• Define and maintain the IT testing strategy covering functional, non-functional, security, performance, and integration testing
• Establish testing frameworks and standards to be adopted across all delivery teams
• Act as the Design Authority for testing, ensuring all solutions meet defined quality standards before going live
• Embed robust testing governance aligned to the IT delivery lifecycle (CAB, Go/No-Go, Technical Design Review

Test Architecture & Design

• Design end-to-end test architecture, including environments, tooling and automation frameworks
• Provide oversight of test design artefacts such as:
  • Test strategies and plans
  • Test scenarios and scripts
  • Test data management approaches

Automation & Tooling

• Lead the adoption of test automation frameworks across regression, API, and performance testing
• Drive continuous testing and integration with dev pipelines
• Implement test strategies aligned to DevOps tooling

Delivery Support & Assurance

• Testing scope aligns with business risk and priorities
• Defects are managed effectively and transparently
• Quality gates are met prior to production release
• Support project teams with test planning, execution, and reporting
• Review and challenge delivery teams to ensure quality outcomes are achieved

Metrics, Reporting & Insight

• Define and track testing KPIs, such as:
  • Test coverage
  • Defect density
  • Execution success rates
• Use insight to drive continuous improvement in testing practices

Continuous Improvement

• Champion modern testing practices such as:
  • Shift-left testing
  • Risk-based testing
  • Test data management and reuse
• Identify opportunities to improve speed and increase quality outcomes
• Build and mature the organisation’s testing capability

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role. You will also ensure that you consistently comply with the relevant Weightmans and client policies and procedures, and work in accordance with our values.

About You

Ideally you will have previous experience of working in a similar role and in a similarenvironment. You will also have/be;

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a Testing Architect, Test Manager, or Senior QA leadership role
• Experience in driving organisation wide testing standards, strategies and frameworks (governance & test delivery)
• Experience working across multiple delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid)
• Experience implementing test automation and CI/CD integration

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of:
  • Functional and non-functional testing methodologies
  • Test automation frameworks and tooling
  • Software delivery lifecycle (SDLC) and governance
• Ability to design scalable and reusable testing models and standards
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability
• Technical Knowledge (Desirable)
• Experience with tools such as:
  • Azure DevOps, Jira
  • Test automation platforms (e.g. Selenium, Playwright, etc.)
  • Performance and security testing tools
• Understanding of cloud platforms (Azure) and modern application architectures

Qualifications

Desirable:

• ISTQB Foundation Certification (or equivalent)
• OGAF awareness (beneficial for alignment with architecture practice)

Why work for us

Come and join our award-winning organisation and be part of a team where people truly matter.

Weightmans is a Leading national law firm, with strong international capabilities.

Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain’s Top Employers awards, and ranking top 10 in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK.

Why work for us? Take a look: Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans

Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to reach their full potential. Our people‑first culture is at the heart of everything we do, making Weightmans a place where you can develop your career and thrive.

Curious about what is it like to work at our firm? Visit our Life at Weightmans page for insights into our employee initiatives, responsible business commitments and much more!