Senior QA Engineer

Darwin Partners; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Partners in Amsterdam is seeking a Senior SQA Automation Engineer to join a highly technical project. The role is hands-on, with roughly 70% test automation and 30% performance testing, focusing on automated tests across frontend, backend, API and database layers in a cloud-native environment.

You will design and maintain Robot Framework tests, develop Python utilities, integrate tests into GitLab CI/CD, use SQL for data validation, and explore AI/GenAI tools to improve test automation,

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in Test Automation / SQA.
• Robot Framework is a key requirement.
• Solid Python programming/scripting skills.
• Experience automating frontend, backend, API and database testing.
• Strong CI/CD understanding with GitLab.
• Experience in cloud-native environments (GCP preferred).
• Docker and Terraform familiarity is a strong plus.
• Performance testing tools (OctoPerf, JMeter, LoadRunner) appreciated.
• AI/GenAI for test automation is a plus.
• Fluent English and ISTQB certification appreciated.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain automated tests using Robot Framework and Python.
• Automate testing across frontend, backend, API and database layers.
• Develop reusable Robot Framework keywords, libraries and Python utilities.
• Integrate automated tests into GitLab CI/CD pipelines with shift-left mindset.
• Maintain existing test suites, reduce flakiness and improve reliability.
• Use SQL for test setup, data validation and troubleshooting.
• Leverage AI/GenAI tools to generate and optimize test automation.
• Support performance testing using OctoPerf or equivalent tools.
• Analyze performance results and identify bottlenecks in complex environments.
• Collaborate with Developers, Business Analysts and QA Engineers in Agile/Scrum.

Skills

Robot Framework

Python

CI/CD

Test automation

English fluency

Agile/Scrum

Jira/Xray/Confluence

Tools

GitLab

Docker

Terraform

OctoPerf

JMeter

LoadRunner

GCP

SQL

Job description

Amsterdam preferred – Open to candidates based elsewhere with regular travel (4 days per month)

Start date : ASAP / To be discussed

At Darwin Partners, we don't just recruit: we support our consultants throughout their careers by connecting them with projects that match their expertise and ambitions.

With a dynamic, impact-driven culture, we connect top IT talent with ambitious projects while building strong, authentic and long-term relationships.

Innovative companies across a wide range of industries, working on high-value projects covering software development, QA & testing, infrastructure, cloud, data, functional roles and agility.

Regular follow-up, active listening and genuine proximity with our consultants and partners.

Challenging projects, real flexibility and opportunities that match your skills and career ambitions.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it

We are currently looking for a Senior SQA Automation Engineer to join one of our clients on a highly technical and business-critical project.

The position is strongly hands-on, with approximately 70% Test Automation and 30% Performance Testing.

Your core focus will be designing, developing and maintaining automated tests using Robot Framework and Python, covering frontend, backend, API and database layers within a modern cloud-native environment.

• Design, develop and maintain automated tests using Robot Framework and Python
• Automate testing across frontend, backend, API and database layers
• Develop clean, reusable and maintainable Robot Framework keywords, libraries and Python utilities
• Integrate automated tests into GitLab CI/CD pipelines following a shift-left approach
• Maintain and stabilise existing automated test suites, reducing flakiness and improving reliability
• Use SQL for test setup, data validation and troubleshooting
• Leverage AI / GenAI tools to generate, maintain, refactor and optimise test automation
• Support performance testing, including load, stress and latency testing using OctoPerf or equivalent tools
• Analyse performance results and identify potential bottlenecks and stability issues
• Perform functional and exploratory testing on complex business scenarios when required
• Collaborate closely with Developers, Business Analysts and QA Engineers within an Agile/Scrum environment

The profile we're looking for

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in Test Automation / SQA
• Strong hands-on expertise with Robot Framework – this is a key requirement
• Solid programming and scripting skills in Python
• Experience automating frontend, backend, API and database testing
• Good understanding of CI/CD and shift-left testing, ideally with GitLab
• Experience with cloud-native environments – GCP is preferred
• Knowledge of Docker; familiarity with Terraform is a strong plus
• Experience or exposure to performance testing with OctoPerf, JMeter, LoadRunner or equivalent is appreciated
• Experience using AI / GenAI for test automation is a strong plus
• Strong functional and analytical mindset, with the ability to understand complex business scenarios
• Experience with Jira, Xray and Confluence or equivalent tools
• Previous experience with complex, high-volume or transactional environments is a plus
• Fluent English is mandatory
• ISTQB certification is appreciated

What makes Darwin Partners different

• A human and personalised approach: more than 160 employees and consultants involved in high-impact projects.
• Strategic and technically challenging assignments
• Tailored career support with opportunities to develop your expertise and career.
• Contractual flexibility: Permanent, freelance, contracting... We adapt to your preferences.
• An international environment with opportunities to work on complex and business-critical projects.

Our recruitment process

• First HR discussion – A conversation about your experience, expectations and career ambitions
• Technical interview – Validation of your expertise with our managers and technical teams
• (Bis) Technical assessment or expert discussion – Depending on the position, a technical test or an in-depth discussion with one of our consultants
• Client interview – Meet our partner before the final GO

Darwin Partners is committed to inclusion and diversity. All our positions are open to people with disabilities. We believe that diverse backgrounds and individual experiences make teams stronger, and that skills make the difference.