QE Architect - Technology transformation

SJIT; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

SJIT in York is seeking a QE Architect to define and lead the Enterprise Quality Engineering capability across a major insurance technology transformation. This role blends strategic architecture with hands‑on delivery to own the QE operating model and automation strategies, spanning UI, API, data, integration and AI validation.

You will coach QE Leads, SDETs and automation engineers, set architecture standards, and report KPIs via Power BI/Azure DevOps.

Qualifications

• Extensive Quality Engineering experience including QE Architect / Principal Quality Engineer / Enterprise QE Lead levels.
• Proven track record designing and scaling enterprise automation frameworks.
• Hands-on expertise across TypeScript, JavaScript, C#, Python, and SQL.
• Experience with automation tools such as Playwright, BrowserStack, Applitools, Cucumber, Postman, JMeter, and Azure DevOps.
• Insurance industry experience and experience embedding QE into CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Defining and owning the Enterprise QE architecture and target operating model across a diverse technology landscape.
• 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.

Skills

TypeScript

JavaScript

C#

Python

SQL

Tools

Playwright

BrowserStack

Applitools

Cucumber

Reqnroll

RestAssured

Postman

JMeter

k6

Azure DevOps

Job description

QE Architect – Technology Transformation

York (Hybrid 2-3 days) | 12 Months - £600pd

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.
• Strong hands‑on expertise across TypeScript, JavaScript, C#, Python, and SQL.
• Deep experience with tools such as Playwright, BrowserStack, Applitools, Cucumber/Reqnroll, RestAssured/Postman, JMeter/k6, and Azure DevOps.
• Experience implementing TDD, BDD, and continuous testing within Agile/DevOps/product‑led delivery models.
• Insurance industry experience