Senior Automation Test Analyst - 12 month contract

Our client, a leading bank based in Sandton, is seeking an experienced Senior Test Analyst on a 12-month contract. The successful candidate will lead testing activities across complex initiatives, ensuring high-quality software delivery while providing mentorship, quality governance, and strategic input into the testing function.

Key Responsibilities

Test Leadership & Planning

• Lead the definition and execution of test strategies, plans, and approaches for projects and releases.
• Analyse complex business and technical requirements to define comprehensive test coverage.
• Estimate testing effort, identify risks, and provide input into delivery planning.
• Ensure testing aligns with organisational quality standards and best practices.

Test Design & Execution

• Design, review, and maintain high-quality test scenarios, test cases, and test data.
• Execute and oversee functional, integration, system, regression, and end-to-end testing.
• Guide automation testing initiatives and identify opportunities for optimisation.
• Ensure non-functional testing requirements (performance, security, usability) are considered.

Defect & Quality Management

• Manage the full defect lifecycle, including logging, prioritisation, and resolution tracking.
• Conduct root cause analysis and recommend quality improvements.
• Provide go/no-go recommendations based on testing outcomes and risk assessments.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with Business Analysts, Developers, Product Owners, and Project Managers.
• Communicate testing risks and issues in a clear, business-focused manner.
• Support and coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities.

Mentorship & Continuous Improvement

• Coach and mentor Test Analysts and junior QA team members.
• Review test artefacts and provide constructive feedback.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing processes, tools, and practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of testing methodologies, SDLC/STLC, and quality assurance practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead testing efforts independently across multiple work streams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong attention to detail with a strategic quality mindset.

Technical Skills

• Test management and defect tracking tools (Jira, Azure Dev Ops, Test Rail, Zephyr, or similar).
• Strong manual testing experience with exposure to test automation frameworks.
• API testing using tools such as Postman.
• SQL for data validation and test analysis.
• Experience working in CI/CD and Agile delivery environments (Scrum / SAFe).

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years' experience in software testing.
• At least 2 years in a senior or lead testing capacity.
• ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst or equivalent certification will be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading banking environment and play a key role in advancing automation testing and quality engineering practices. You will contribute to high-impact digital initiatives, influence automation strategy, and work within a modern Agile and Dev Ops ecosystem.