QE Architect - Technology transformation

Simon James IT Ltd; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Simon James IT Ltd is seeking a QE Architect for a major insurance client’s multi-year technology transformation spanning Digital CX, Data & AI, CRM and core policy/claims platforms. You’ll own the Enterprise QE operating model, define automation strategy across UI, API, data, integration and AI testing, and coach QE leads, SDETs and automation engineers.

This hybrid role blends strategic architecture with hands-on delivery, setting quality gates, KPIs and reporting via Power BI and Azure

Qualifications

• Extensive Quality Engineering experience at architect/lead level.
• Proven track record designing and scaling enterprise automation frameworks.
• Experience with TDD, BDD and continuous testing in Agile/DevOps.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the Enterprise QE architecture and target operating model across a diverse technology landscape.
• Architect automation frameworks across UI, API, data, integration, non-functional and AI testing integrated into CI/CD.
• Set standards for automation, data quality testing, performance, security and accessibility testing.
• Lead adoption of AI-assisted testing and agentic testing—AI-generated test design, self-healing automation, intelligent defect analysis.
• Define quality gates, release readiness standards and KPIs with reporting via Power BI/Allure/Azure DevOps.
• Coach QE Leads, SDETs and automation engineers, and build reusable QE frameworks and accelerators.

Job description

Our client, a major insurance business, is running a large-scale, multi-year technology transformation programme spanning Digital CX, Data & AI, CRM, and core policy/claims platforms. They're looking for a QE Architect to define and lead the Enterprise Quality Engineering capability across this portfolio — a role that combines strategic architecture with genuine hands-on delivery.

You'll own the target-state QE operating model: automation-first, shift-left, risk-based assurance, and continuous testing embedded across the full SDLC. You'll set the automation and test architecture strategy across UI, API, data, integration and AI/ML validation, and you'll be the senior technical authority coaching QE Leads, SDETs and automation engineers across the programme.

What you'll be doing

• Defining and owning the Enterprise QE architecture and target operating model across a diverse technology landscape (Digital CX, D365, Power Platform, Data platforms, APIs, cloud and integration).
• Architecting automation frameworks across UI, API, data, integration, non-functional and AI testing, embedded into CI/CD.
• Setting standards for automation, contract testing, data quality testing, performance, security and accessibility testing.
• Leading adoption of AI-assisted and agentic testing — AI-generated test design, self-healing automation, intelligent defect analysis.
• Defining quality gates, release readiness standards and engineering KPIs, and reporting via Power BI/Allure/Azure DevOps.
• Coaching and mentoring QE Leads, SDETs and automation engineers, and building reusable QE frameworks and accelerators.

What we're looking for

• Extensive Quality Engineering experience in Software Engineering or Test Automation, including QE Architect / Principal Quality Engineer / Enterprise QE Lead level experience.
• Proven track record designing and scaling enterprise automation frameworks.
• Experience implementing TDD, BDD and continuous testing within Agile/DevOps/product-led delivery models.
• Financial services, insurance or other highly regulated industry experience preferred.