Test Automation Specialist

Opus Recruitment Solutions Limited; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus Recruitment Solutions Limited seeks an experienced Senior Test Automation Consultant to own testing strategy, planning, and delivery across a complex environment on a 12-month FTC. The role is hybrid (approx. 3 days onsite weekly) and requires strong hands-on leadership in QA practices and client-facing communication.

The successful candidate will define test strategies, develop automation frameworks, and collaborate with DevOps and architecture teams to ensure quality throughout the SDLC.

Qualifications

• Experienced in leading testing strategy and QA practices.
• Proficient in designing and executing automated test scripts and frameworks.
• Strong API, middleware, integration, and end-to-end testing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and maintain the overall Test Strategy and Test Plan.
• Establish testing approach, governance, and QA processes across the programme.
• Design, develop, and execute automated test scripts and frameworks.
• Collaborate with Development, DevOps, and Architecture teams to embed quality.
• Support testing within Agile and TDD environments.
• Perform API, middleware, integration, and end-to-end testing.
• Identify, manage, and communicate testing risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Provide test reporting, progress updates, and quality recommendations to stakeholders.
• Work with client teams and senior stakeholders to achieve testing objectives.
• Mentor and support wider project teams on testing best practices and automation approaches.

Skills

Test Automation

Quality Engineering

REST APIs

Java

Python

TDD

JUnit

Azure

CI/CD

DevOps

Middleware testing

Agile

Terraform

Infrastructure as Code

Cloud-native

Tools

Terraform

Job description

Location: Newcastle (Hybrid - approximately 3 days onsite per week)

Contract Duration: 12 Months FTC with possibility of converting Perm.

Security Clearance: SC Cleared Preferred but MUST be eligible.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Test Automation Consultant to join a high-profile programme and take ownership of the testing strategy, planning, and execution across a complex technology environment.

This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring a strong testing professional who can define and drive quality assurance practices, work collaboratively with development teams, and engage confidently with client stakeholders. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable operating at a strategic level while remaining actively involved in test automation delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and maintain the overall Test Strategy and Test Plan.
• Establish the testing approach, governance, and quality assurance processes across the programme.
• Design, develop, and execute automated test scripts and frameworks.
• Collaborate closely with Development, DevOps, and Architecture teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Support testing within Agile and TDD environments.
• Perform API, middleware, integration, and end-to-end testing.
• Identify, manage, and communicate testing risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Provide test reporting, progress updates, and quality recommendations to stakeholders.
• Work directly with client teams and senior stakeholders to ensure testing objectives are achieved.
• Mentor and support wider project teams on testing best practices and automation approaches.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong background in Test Automation and Quality Engineering.
• Experience working within Microsoft Azure environments.
• Solid programming/scripting skills using Java and Python.
• Proven experience with TDD (Test-Driven Development) and JUnit.
• Strong experience testing REST APIs.
• Experience with test automation frameworks and scripting-based testing.
• Proven track record of producing and owning Test Strategies, Test Plans, and test execution approaches.
• Experience testing middleware, integrations, and distributed systems.
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.
• Knowledge of Terraform and Infrastructure as Code.
• Performance and non-functional testing experience.
• Experience working within CI/CD pipelines and DevOps environments.
• Exposure to cloud-native architectures and automated deployment practices.