Lead Test Engineer Job Manchester area,England UK,IT/Tech

Job title: Lead Test Engineer

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 31 December 2027

Location: Guildford and Manchester

Salary: Guildford - £59,800 to £67,400 and Manchester - £57,400 to £64,700

Working arrangements: Hybrid working, 2 days a week in office

Do you enjoy shaping quality from the ground up, leading Automation testing approaches that improve both products and team performance?

This is a great opportunity to play a key role in delivering reliable, high quality software that supports assessment and learning. This is a chance to use your Automation testing expertise to shape outcomes that directly impact learners while working in a collaborative and forward thinking environment.

You will help ensure that systems are secure, reliable and fit for purpose. Your work will support AQA's mission by enabling fair and consistent assessment for learners of all abilities. You will influence quality across delivery, helping teams make informed and confident decisions while promoting strong testing practices.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

Delivering thoroughly tested software that supports reliable assessment design and delivery and meets customer needs
Supporting agile delivery by shaping Automation testing approaches, providing estimates and advising on quality and risk
Driving strong Automation testing best practices and continuous improvement, while contributing to high quality team outcomes

You'll thrive in this role if you are collaborative, proactive and focused on delivering quality outcomes. You'll bring:

Experience of automated testing within an Agile environment
The ability to design and implement automated testing frameworks using tools such as Selenium, Spec Flow or similar and languages such as Gherkin and C#
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to both technical and non technical colleagues
Experience of API testing and a solid understanding of testing techniques and approaches
An awareness of AI tools and technologies and how they can be used to improve test preparation and efficiency, and the ability to promote their use within the team
A pragmatic, analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and a focus on continuous improvement

You will have the opportunity to develop your skills while working on systems that make a meaningful difference to learners. You'll benefit from:

The chance to work on products that support education and impact learners across the UK
Opportunities to grow your expertise in automation and modern testing practices

Flexible working arrangements that support work life balance
A collaborative, supportive and inclusive team culture
Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone-regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background-is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

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