Senior Automation Engineer

Penta Consulting; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Penta Consulting is seeking a Test Automation Architect to drive the vision and execution of automation across organizations. This role combines strategic leadership with practical design and implementation of automation frameworks, aimed at enabling high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in a leadership role, focusing on building automation capabilities and delivering innovative testing solutions. Responsibilities include mentoring, establishing best practices, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance engineering standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation practices across projects and teams.
• Design, build, and evolve automation frameworks.
• Define and implement Test Data Management strategies.
• Establish automation coding standards and best practices.
• Evaluate and scale new tools and automation technologies.
• Support pre-sales activities, including solution design and proposals.
• Lead Proof of Concepts and innovation initiatives.
• Define and track KPIs to measure automation success.
• Mentor and upskill QA Automation Engineers.
• Conduct automation capability assessments.
• Review test design and code quality for improvement.
• Provide consulting expertise on automation implementations.
• Integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for quality enhancement.

Skills

Automation architecture and strategy

UI & API automation (Selenium, Cypress, Appium)

Unit testing frameworks

Version control systems and CI/CD integration

Agile and DevOps practices

Test Data Management solutions

Manual testing methodologies

Scalable automation frameworks design

Education

3+ years in an Automation Architect or similar role

Job description

At Penta Consulting, we understand that technology is only as powerful as the people behind it. As a leading provider of Technology resource Solutions, our mission is to empower businesses with the right talent and expertise to drive their digital transformation. With over 28 years of experience, we have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality resources across various domains, including software development, artificial intelligence, project management, architecture, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Our network of Global clients relies on Penta’s team of technology experts to deeply understand their unique needs and provide tailored solutions that drive innovation and operational excellence. We remain committed to being a trusted partner for our clients, providing them with the resources they need to stay ahead in an ever-evolving technological landscape. Behind the people powering your technology, you’ll find Penta Consulting.

Test Automation Architect

As a Test Automation Architect, I act as a senior thought leader, driving the vision, strategy, and execution of automation across organisations. I focus on building future‑ready automation capabilities, enabling high-performing teams, and delivering scalable, innovative testing solutions.

I combine strategic leadership with a hands‑on approach—designing frameworks, delivering initial implementations, and supporting pre‑sales to ensure strong technical and commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation practices across projects and teams
• Design, build, and continuously evolve fit‑for‑purpose automation frameworks
• Define and implement Test Data Management (TDM) strategies and solutions
• Establish and enforce automation coding standards and source control best practices
• Evaluate, adopt, and scale new tools, frameworks, and automation technologies
• Shape and communicate automation strategies and roadmaps to senior stakeholders
• Support pre‑sales activities, including solution design, proposals, and client engagement
• Lead Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and innovation initiatives
• Define and track KPIs to measure automation success, ROI, and maturity
• Mentor, coach, and upskill QA Automation Engineers across all levels
• Conduct automation capability assessments and support performance development
• Review test design and code quality to drive continuous improvement
• Provide consulting expertise on automation implementations
• Integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance delivery quality and engineering standards

Core Skills & Expertise

• Strong experience in automation architecture and strategy
• Expertise in UI & API automation, including Selenium, Cypress, and Appium
• Deep knowledge of unit testing frameworks and test management tools
• Experience with version control systems and CI/CD integration
• Strong understanding of Agile and DevOps practices
• Experience with Test Data Management solutions
• Knowledge of manual testing methodologies
• Ability to design scalable, maintainable automation frameworks

Leadership & Impact

• Recognised thought leader in test automation
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams
• Strong stakeholder engagement with commercial awareness
• Innovative mindset with a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value

Qualifications & Experience

• 3+ years in an Automation Architect or similar leadership role