Overview
Waracle are looking for a Lead QA Engineer for an exciting new role joining our world-class digital technology consultancy and home to a diverse, smart, curious and ambitious community of specialists in technology-driven transformation. We work with ambitious clients to help them solve their biggest business and customer challenges, innovating and creating intelligent digital products and services. This is a hybrid role working from our Dundee or Glasgow offices 2 days a week.
The Lead QA is a pivotal role for a highly experienced and influential QA professional who embodies technical mastery, strategic thinking, and a passion for elevating quality. As a Lead, you will be accountable for project-level outcomes and will empower your team to succeed by enabling best practices across the entire software development process. You will be a cornerstone of our project teams and a leader within our QA practice, coaching peers, defining strategic approaches, and championing a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
What you'll do
* Shape and execute comprehensive test strategies across squads, ensuring robust coverage and clarity on priorities.
* Facilitate risk workshops, manage dependencies, and apply expert knowledge of SDLC and Agile principles to coach peers and influence the team's direction.
* Define the automation strategy for your squad, optimising for speed and reliability, including creating or extending automation frameworks for web and mobile (iOS/Android) and defining quality gates within CI/CD pipelines.
* Lead and evolve best practices in defect management and actively participate in or lead triage efforts and enforce traceability standards. Proactively anticipate and resolve blockers, ensuring clarity of expectations within and outside the team.
* Mentor peers and junior engineers, providing coaching on best practices and creating a safe space for collaboration and continuous learning.
* Drive collaboration with clients and delivery teams, delegating effectively to empower others and ensure shared understanding and accountability.
* Proactively suggest and integrate new testing tools with a keen eye on emerging trends.
* Develop a deep understanding of project domains and exhibit evangelist qualities by speaking at industry events.
Requirements
* Extensive experience as a QA Engineer, with a proven track record in a lead or senior capacity, ideally within a digital consultancy.
* Comprehensive expertise in QA best practices, standards, and methodologies (SDLC, Agile).
* Proven technical mastery in functional, non-functional, and white-box testing.
* Advanced automation skills with modern frameworks (e.g., Playwright, Cypress, Appium) and a proven ability to define squad-level automation strategy.
* Proficiency with Git and experience defining and integrating quality gates into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions).
* Exceptional leadership and mentorship abilities, with a track record of delegating effectively, holding teams accountable, and creating an inclusive environment for growth.
* Strategic mindset demonstrated through defining test strategies that balance speed, quality, and risk, while managing client expectations around scope and priorities.
* Experience owning key client relationships, advising stakeholders proactively, and managing tensions constructively to build trusted partnerships.
Recruitment process
The recruitment process for this role includes an initial call with your dedicated Talent Acquisition Partner who will discuss Waracle, your goals, salary expectations, notice period and benefits. You will then be invited to a two-stage interview process where you can learn more about the role and demonstrate your skills and experience. Your Talent Acquisition Partner will guide you through the process to your first day with us.
Benefits
* Rest & Recharge: 27 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (35 days total).
* Financial Future & Security: Company-matched 5% pension contribution and Death in Service benefit (2 x annual salary).
* Health & Wellness: Medicash Health Cash Plans, Employee Assistance Programme, and Group Sickness Cover.
* Flexible Working: Hybrid working with a home office setup budget.
* Learning & Development: Access to Udemy Business and a dedicated learning budget.
* Lifestyle Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and exclusive gym/retail discounts.
* Family First: Enhanced parental leave policies including fertility journey support.
* Community & Connection: Regular meet-ups, monthly lunch in the office, and Spirit of Waracle charity involvement.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
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