Software QA Manager (Chapter Lead)

Aqovia UK Limited.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Gym membership

Perkbox

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

Aqovia UK Limited is seeking a vision-driven QA Lead (Chapter Lead) to steer our quality engineering strategy, scale AI-assisted testing workflows, and drive shift-left practices across agile squads.

You will mentor engineers, build maintainable automation with Playwright in C# or TS/JS, and embed best practices for performance, security, and API testing within Azure DevOps pipelines. This role offers a generous benefits package and flexible hybrid working.

Qualifications

• Senior/lead QA experience shaping quality strategy across multiple squads.
• Hands-on with modern automation frameworks (Playwright/Selenium) in C# or JS/TS.
• Experience bringing quality into sprint planning and developer workflows.

Responsibilities

• Drive Shift-Left Quality: move testing upstream in design and planning with BDD, static analysis and contract testing.
• Lead AI automation: adopt AI testing tools for faster test generation and self-healing scripts.
• Scale test architecture: build maintainable automation frameworks integrated into Azure CI/CD pipelines.
• Mentor QA engineers across squads through 1:1s, code reviews, and Chapter sessions.
• Embed best practices: own non-functional testing strategy (performance, security, API testing) and quality metrics.

Skills

Engineering Leadership

Automation Mastery

Shift-Left Champion

AI Tooling Innovator

DevOps & API

Strong Communicator

Tools

Playwright

Selenium

C#

JavaScript/TypeScript

Azure DevOps

Job description

About Aqovia

We don’t just build software, we engineer impact. Aqovia is an international technology firm creating real-world value through AI, data, and bespoke software solutions.

We don’t just build software, we engineer impact. Aqovia is an international technology firm creating real-world value through AI, data, and bespoke software solutions. Beyond delivering high-end client solutions, we act as a strategic incubator, investing in and nurturing a diverse portfolio across fintech, healthcare, sustainability, and business intelligence. This ecosystem keeps us at the absolute edge of innovation, ensuring the work you lead today shapes the industries of tomorrow.

The Role

Are you a vision-driven QA Lead ready to transform Quality Engineering? As QA Chapter Lead, you will own our technical QA vision, shifting quality upstream, scaling cutting-edge automation, and pioneering AI-assisted testing workflows across our agile engineering squads.

You’ll act as both technical authority and mentor, championing a developer-aligned, high-velocity quality culture across Aqovia’s product portfolio.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Shift-Left Quality: Move testing upstream into design and planning phases using BDD, early static analysis, and contract testing.
• Lead AI Automation: Pioneer the adoption of AI testing tools (LLM test generation, self-healing scripts, defect triage) to supercharge team productivity.
• Scale Test Architecture: Build maintainable automation frameworks using Playwright, C#, or TypeScript/JavaScript integrated into Azure CI/CD pipelines.
• Empower & Mentor: Lead, coach, and level-up QA engineers across delivery squads through regular 1:1s, code reviews, and Chapter sessions.
• Embed Best Practices: Own non-functional testing strategy (performance, security, API testing with SQL/Postman) and standardize quality metrics across the organization.

What We’re Looking For

• Engineering Leadership: Proven background as a Senior, Principal, or Lead QA driving quality strategy across multiple squads.
• Automation Mastery: Expert-level experience with modern frameworks (Playwright, Selenium) in C# or JS/TS environments.
• Shift-Left Champion: Expert in bringing quality engineering into sprint planning, user story refinement, and early developer workflows.
• AI Tooling Innovator: Hands-on experience or active application of AI/LLM-driven testing tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, self-healing test automation).
• DevOps & API Expertise: Strong hands-on background in REST API testing, SQL databases, and cloud CI/CD pipeline integration (Azure DevOps).
• Strong Communicator: Exceptional stakeholder management skills to influence developers, product leads, and senior leadership.

Why Join Us?

• High-Impact Leadership: Direct ownership over our company-wide quality strategy and technology roadmap.
• Innovate with AI: Generous support and budget to experiment with state-of-the-art AI QA tooling.
• Growth Culture: Dedicated career progression paths, conference access, and upskilling support.
• Top Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, private healthcare, pension scheme, gym membership, Perkbox, and flexible hybrid working.

Aqovia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.