Senior SDET

Atom Bank; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Atom Bank in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior SDET who will own testing across our Mobile App team, driving automation-first practices and a shift-left mindset early in delivery.

You will lead offshore test partners, streamline test coverage, mentor vendors, and collaborate with engineers to embed testable code and AI-assisted testing with Claude Code or Gemini.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in mobile app automation leadership (Appium, Postman, UI/API test tools). (Strong Web App testing background considered if paired with exceptional capability across all other areas).
• Hands-on experience with Kotlin is ideal, but strong Java experience with a eager, self-driven desire to adopt Kotlin is equally valued.
• Demonstrated experience directing, mentoring, and getting the best out of 3rd-party test vendors.
• Passion for quality practices, early defect detection, and embedding testability into development teams.
• Experience of embedding “Shift-Left” testing into the Software Delivery Lifecycle
• Clear, assertive, and persuasive communication skills, you’re able to build cross-functional trust and stand up for quality principles.
• Keen interest or experience in using generative AI tools to accelerate test case creation, execution, or code reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead App Quality: Drive the overall test approach, quality standards, and automated testing strategy for our core mobile app delivery team.
• Orchestrate & Streamline: Direct and coach 3rd-party/offshore test resources to maximize their output, removing duplication and streamlining test coverage.
• Embed “Shift Left”: Work alongside software engineers from the design phase onward, advocating for testable code, early defect detection, and continuous testing in CI/CD pipelines.
• Leverage AI & Innovation: Explore and integrate cutting-edge AI tools (e.g., Claude Code, Gemini) into the end-to-end testing workflow to boost delivery speed and quality.
• Hands-On Automation: Maintain and evolve test frameworks, review automation merge requests, and write clean, maintainable test code.
• Technical Influence: Act as an escalation point and trusted advisor, holding constructive, high-impact conversations with the Software Engineering team.

Skills

Mobile automation leadership

Appium

Postman

UI/API testing

Kotlin

Java

Vendor management

Shift Left testing

CI/CD

AI testing tools

Tools

Appium

Postman

CI/CD tooling

Automation frameworks

Claude Code

Gemini

Job description

What will your ‘typical’ day look like… (there’s no two days the same in Atom):

As a Senior SDET, you won’t just run test packs; you will take full ownership of testing excellence across our Mobile App team.

We’re looking for a quality champion. Someone with the character and technical credibility to embed a true “Shift Left” mindset early in the software delivery lifecycle. You will lead and coordinate our offshore test partners to eliminate duplicate effort, drive efficiency, and pave the way for a more hands-on, automation-first future. If you’re excited by modern tech, Kotlin, and leveraging AI tools like Claude Code or Gemini to supercharge test engineering, this is your platform.

You’ll seamlessly take ownership of the team’s test strategy, build strong working relationships with delivery leads and engineers, gain control over the offshore test pipeline, slash redundant test steps, and embed proactive “Shift Left” practices.

• Lead App Quality: Drive the overall test approach, quality standards, and automated testing strategy for our core mobile app delivery team.


• Orchestrate & Streamline: Direct and coach 3rd-party/offshore test resources to maximize their output, removing duplication and streamlining test coverage.


• Embed “Shift Left”: Work alongside software engineers from the design phase onward, advocating for testable code, early defect detection, and continuous testing in CI/CD pipelines.


• Leverage AI & Innovation: Explore and integrate cutting-edge AI tools (e.g., Claude Code, Gemini) into the end-to-end testing workflow to boost delivery speed and quality.


• Hands-On Automation: Maintain and evolve test frameworks, review automation merge requests, and write clean, maintainable test code.


• Technical Influence: Act as an escalation point and trusted advisor, holding constructive, high-impact conversations with the Software Engineering team.

What do we need from you?

• Proven track record in mobile app automation leadership (Appium, Postman, UI/API test tools). (Strong Web App testing background considered if paired with exceptional capability across all other areas).


• Hands-on experience with Kotlin is ideal, but strong Java experience with a eager, self-driven desire to adopt Kotlin is equally valued.


• Demonstrated experience directing, mentoring, and getting the best out of 3rd-party test vendors.


• Passion for quality practices, early defect detection, and embedding testability into development teams.


• Experience of embedding “Shift-Left” testing into the Software Delivery Lifecycle


• Clear, assertive, and persuasive communication skills, you’re able to build cross-functional trust and stand up for quality principles.


• Keen interest or experience in using generative AI tools to accelerate test case creation, execution, or code reviews.