Automation Architect AVP

Sumitomo Group; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 57,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Private medical insurance

Life and invalidity insurance

Learning and development opportunities

Sport & Social Clubs

Job summary

SMBC Group is seeking an Automation Architect to join our IT team in Ireland. You will extend our Java-based automation framework using Playwright and RestAssured, delivering QA automation capabilities across financial systems.

You will lead offshore teammates, review code, and collaborate with stakeholders to define automation targets and ROI. The role offers hybrid working, a competitive benefits package including pension, and a salary range of €57,000–€107,000 with discretionary incentives.

Qualifications

• Proven technical experience in software quality assurance and test automation, focused on finance applications.
• Strong proficiency in Java programming and modern QA tooling.
• Experience integrating test automation into CI/CD pipelines and regulatory contexts.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect enhancements to our test automation framework core.
• Lead offshore team members in enhancing core and application layers.
• Review PRs, merge requests, conduct code reviews vs agreed standards.
• Engage with application teams and testers to align automation scope and ROI.

Skills

Quality assurance

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Tools

Playwright

Selenium

RestAssured

Cucumber

GitHub

Maven

TestNG

IntelliJ

Bitbucket

Bamboo

XRAY

Job description

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United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Summary

We are seeking a skilled Automation Architect to join our dynamic Automation CoE team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in quality assurance methodologies, testing automation frameworks, and a thorough understanding of financial systems and processes.The successful candidate will work on extending our existing in-house Java based automation framework that leverages Playwright and RestAssured to deliver QA automation capability within the bank.

The anticipated salary range for this role is €57,000.00 – €107,000.00, with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision.

Business Area

IT

Long Description

The candidate will be required to lead automation testing initiatives including:

• Design and architect enhancements to our framework core
• Leading offshore team members in enhancing the core and application specific layers
• Approving team PR’s, merge requests, conducting code reviews vs agreed standards and expectations
• Engaging with application teams and manual testers to understand automation target scope, including compatibility with the framework and ROI

The candidate will be expected to work under the guidance of a head of QA Automation and to embed quality through all phases of the programme.

The QA Automation role will focus on the following three key areas:

1. Technical

• Deliver a high-quality test automation framework by adopting good coding practices and software design patterns. Focus on Java and leveraging Playwright and RestAssured libraries.
• Develop and maintain automated test scripts for financial software applications using industry-standard automation tools and frameworks.
• Execute automated test suites to validate software functionality, performance, reliability, and security.
• Continuously improve test automation processes and methodologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness.
• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of Automation best practices, standards, and guidelines tailored to the finance industry.
• Work with the SMBC DevOps team to create and maintain CI/CD integration to automation framework and automated build verification test.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes affecting financial software testing practices.

2. Analysis

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand automaton requirements
• Consulting with QA team stakeholders, reviewing test requirements and identify use‑cases for validation.
• Act as a key facilitator within the team, acting as a bridge between the client stakeholder, QA, PM, Developers and the Automation CoE team.

3. Collaboration and Management

• Maintain good rapport with key stakeholders and ability to adapt in a challenging situation.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other team members, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
• Manage and fulfil expectations of key stakeholders, Project Lead, Head of QA Automation, and project team.
• Uphold high level of integrity and ethics as set by SMBC.
• Organise and deliver test automation training and presentations for project team and other stakeholders where required.
• Good interpersonal and team‑working skills and robust and organized approach to work.

Required Knowledge

• Proven technical experience in software quality assurance and test automation, with a focus on finance‑related applications.
• Strong proficiency in the Java programming language
• Strong understanding of software testing principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Hands‑on experience with test automation frameworks (e.g., Playwright, Selenium, Cucumber, RestAssured) and version control systems (e.g., GitHub).
• Strong experience in developing and implementing test automation frameworks within CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience in implementing test automation using Java, Maven, TestNG, IntelliJ, Playwright, RestAssured, Selenium, Bitbucket, Bamboo, Cucumber reports and XRAY.
• Knowledge of financial industry regulations and compliance standards (e.g., MIFID, GDPR).
• Familiarity with database technologies (SQL, NoSQL) and experience in writing SQL queries for data validation.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment, managing multiple priorities effectively.

Customer Focus

Driving Change

Driving Results

Judgement and Decision Making

Strategic and Visionary

Trust and Integrity

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well‑bring and work‑life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities

About SMBC

A trusted partner for the long term
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, we deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers, including corporate, structured and trade finance, leveraged finance, loan market and treasury products. We can also provide investment banking and advisory services and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.
Find out more about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers