Test Lead

Version 1; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology service provider based in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking an experienced Automation and Performance Test Engineer to lead testing initiatives and improve quality across engineering processes. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with automation frameworks and CI/CD pipelines, along with leadership skills. This role includes flexible working conditions, a strong benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working

Health and Wellbeing initiatives

Educational assistance

Quarterly Profit Share Scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading testing teams and strategic testing initiatives.
• Strong hands-on experience with automation frameworks.
• Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines and test environment management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead large-scale, complex testing activities.
• Build, maintain, and evolve automation frameworks.
• Design and execute a wide range of testing techniques.

Skills

Automation frameworks

CI/CD pipelines

Problem-solving

Leadership skills

Agile environments

Database testing

Tools

Selenium

Playwright

Cypress

Virtuoso

Job description

Overview

Version 1 has celebrated over 28 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Our expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly changing Digital-First world we live in. We foster strong partnerships with leading technology giants including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services.

We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of Version 1 and what we do:

• UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner
• 3300+ strong, €350/£300m revenue business
• 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK
• Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW
• Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW

We’re a core values driven company, we hire people who share our values, and we reward those who display and foster them, it’s deeply embedded within our DNA. Invest in us and we’ll invest in you!

Role

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Automation and Performance Test Engineer to lead strategic testing initiatives across complex systems. This role demands a blend of technical expertise, leadership capability, and problem-solving acumen to drive quality across our engineering processes. You will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining robust automation and performance testing frameworks using open-source tools, while also mentoring and guiding other engineers.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Plan and lead large-scale, complex testing activities, managing risks and identifying opportunities to improve quality and efficiency.
• Technical Ownership: Build, maintain, and evolve automation frameworks using open-source technologies.
• Process Improvement: Lead investigative work into existing processes to identify gaps and implement improvements.
• Test Design & Execution: Design and execute a wide range of testing techniques including functional, performance, and automated testing.
• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate test results and insights effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Review and enhance test environments and processes to support ongoing quality improvements and maintain high standards.
• End-to-End testing: Specialising in validating data pipelines, source-to-target mapping, and data integrity testing.
• Test Automation: Implement and maintain test automation using Virtuoso and other relevant tools.
• Test Management: Oversee test planning, execution, and reporting aligned with the Test strategy.
• Defect Management: Manage defect lifecycle and ensure timely resolution and reporting.
• Database/ETL Testing: Perform thorough testing of database systems and ETL processes to ensure data accuracy and reliability.

Qualifications

• Required Skills & Experience:
• Proven experience in leading testing teams and strategic testing initiatives.
• Strong hands-on experience with automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Playwright, Cypress)
• Experience with Virtuoso for test automation or similar tool.
• Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines, test environment management.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and mentor others.
• Experience in Agile and DevOps environments.
• AI tooling experience.
• Expertise in database and ETL testing.
• Familiarity with test management and defect tracking tools.
• SC eligible preferred

Benefits & Additional Information

• Why Version 1?
• At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.
• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits.
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance.
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme.
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies.
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform.
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.
• And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.