Senior QA Analyst (Expertise in payroll systems)

VE3; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work on critical national infrastructure systems

Collaborate with a supportive QA team

Long-term visibility with extension potential

Job summary

A payroll compliance technology company is seeking a Contract Mid/Senior QA Analyst to test and validate payroll systems. This fully remote role requires significant expertise in complex payroll calculations, tax compliance, and software validation. Responsibilities include designing test cases, developing automated scripts, and collaborating in an Agile environment. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of UK payroll processes and proven skills in both manual and automated testing, particularly with Selenium. The role offers significant extension potential.

Qualifications

• Strong payroll testing background with understanding of UK payroll cycles.
• Proven experience in NI calculations and PAYE tax logic.
• Solid experience in writing test cases with Selenium.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute manual test cases for payroll features.
• Develop automated test scripts using Selenium.
• Validate payroll calculation logic including NI contributions.

Skills

Payroll testing background

Selenium with Java or Python

API testing knowledge

Manual and automated testing practices

Version control (GIT)

Tools

Docker

TestRail

JIRA

GitHub Actions

Job description

Job Title: Senior QA Analyst (Expertise in payroll systems)

Location: UK-based applicants only

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and detail‑oriented QA Analyst (Mid to Senior Level) with deep expertise in payroll systems.

You’ll be responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining both manual and automated test suites, with a special emphasis on complex payroll calculations, National Insurance (NI), tax compliance, and desktop software validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute detailed manual test cases for payroll‑related features using TestRail or similar tools.
• Develop and maintain automated test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python for regression and functional testing.
• Validate payroll calculation logic, including:
  • NI contributions (primary and secondary)
  • Tax codes and thresholds
  • Student loan deductions
  • Statutory payments (e.g., SMP, SPP, SSP)
• Simulate and create payroll datasets that cover varied worker scenarios (e.g., full‑time, part‑time, irregular pay).
• Use API endpoints (e.g., RTI submissions, NVR checks, FPS/EPS generation) to validate system integration.
• Conduct end‑to‑end testing of desktop‑based applications, with a focus on cross‑platform compatibility, performance, and UI consistency.
• Log, triage, and track defects using JIRA, GitHub, or similar issue management systems.
• Collaborate in Agile sprints and ceremonies with developers, analysts, and product owners.
• Maintain and configure Dockerised test environments, including CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions.
• Apply robust QA processes throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong payroll testing background with deep understanding of UK payroll cycles, PAYE, and statutory obligations.
• Proven hands‑on experience in:
  • NI category letters and contribution calculations
  • PAYE tax band logic, personal allowances, and thresholds
  • Apprenticeship levy and employment allowance interactions
• Working knowledge of desktop payroll applications.
• Solid experience writing test cases and automating test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python.
• Familiarity with technical documentation and API schemas.
• Proficient with version control (GIT) and CI/CD tooling (GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
• Experience using Docker and managing isolated testing environments.
• Strong understanding of manual and automated testing practices within Agile and Waterfall models.

Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with RTI submissions (FPS, EPS), NVR responses, and error message validations.
• Experience creating or maintaining an automated testing framework.
• Confidence in writing test data scenarios that include irregular earnings, leavers/joiners, pension contributions, and holiday pay.
• Cross‑platform testing experience: Windows, Linux, macOS.
• Working with virtualisation environments (e.g., Hyper‑V, VirtualBox).
• ISEB/ISTQB certification or other industry‑recognised QA qualifications.
• Awareness of bilingual testing needs, such as English/Welsh UI compliance (desirable but not essential).

Benefits

• Work on critical national infrastructure systems used by thousands of UK employers.
• Deepen your domain expertise in compliance and payroll automation.
• Collaborate in a supportive, technically sound QA team.
• Long‑term visibility with strong extension potential.