Lead Software Test Engineer - Contract (Inside IR35)
Based at one of these locations: Leeds / Manchester / Birmingham / Newcastle - Hybrid (60% onsite)
Our client is delivering a major digital transformation programme and is seeking an experienced Lead Software Test Engineer / Principal SDET to play a pivotal role in shaping quality and automation across multiple delivery teams. This is a high-impact contract role where you will define strategy, set standards and remain hands-on with modern test engineering practices.
Overview
As a Lead Software Test Engineer you will take ownership of an automation-first testing approach, supporting the transition from legacy monolithic systems to a modern microservices architecture. You will work closely with engineering teams, influencing how quality is embedded throughout the software development lifecycle while actively contributing to frameworks and solutions.
Key Responsibilities
You will define and implement an end-to-end test strategy aligned to microservices architecture. You will establish best practices, standards and patterns that can be scaled across multiple teams, assessing existing approaches and driving continuous improvement.
You will remain hands-on, designing, building and maintaining automated test frameworks across unit, integration, contract, system and end-to-end testing. Working primarily in Java-based environments, you will support teams by actively contributing to automation, not just providing direction. You will collaborate closely with engineers and stakeholders, providing technical leadership, coaching testers and developers, and ensuring testing practices are applied consistently. You will also maintain visibility of quality metrics and delivery outcomes across the programme.
Essential Skills & Experience
Proven experience operating at Lead Test Engineer / Principal SDET level
Strong background defining test strategies for microservices environments
Hands-on automation experience using Java, Selenium and Rest Assured
Solid experience with API, contract and integration testing
Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and Spring Boot applications
Experience with modern testing practices including contract testing, asynchronous messaging (e.g. Kafka) and non-functional testing
Familiarity with MongoDB or other non-relational databasesAdditional Info
Multiple locations - Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham
Due to the requirements of this position, all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance.Reasonable Adjustments
Our client is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to inclusive recruitment. Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let us know.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
Disability Confident Scheme - As a member of the disability confident scheme, our client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, they will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Armed Forces Covenant - Our client is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, they guarantee to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, they will interview the best candidates from within that group.
If you qualify for the above, please notify us within your application.
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This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan