Job Description
Job Title: Contract Mid/Senior QA Analyst
Location: Remote – UK-based applicants only
Start Date: Immediate / ASAP
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About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented QA Analyst (Mid to Senior Level) with deep expertise in payroll systems.
This is a fully remote contract role, open to UK-based professionals only. You’ll be responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining both manual and automated test suites, with a special emphasis on complex payroll calculations, National Insurance (NI), tax compliance, and desktop software validation.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
* Design and execute detailed manual test cases for payroll-related features using TestRail or similar tools.
* Develop and maintain automated test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python for regression and functional testing.
* Validate payroll calculation logic, including:
o NI contributions (primary and secondary)
o Tax codes and thresholds
o Student loan deductions
o Statutory payments (e.g., SMP, SPP, SSP)
* Simulate and create payroll datasets that cover varied worker scenarios (e.g. full-time, part-time, irregular pay).
* Use API endpoints (e.g., RTI submissions, NVR checks, FPS/EPS generation) to validate system integration.
* Conduct end-to-end testing of desktop-based applications, with a focus on cross-platform compatibility, performance, and UI consistency.
* Log, triage, and track defects using JIRA, GitHub, or similar issue management systems.
* Collaborate in Agile sprints and ceremonies with developers, analysts, and product owners.
* Maintain and configure Dockerised test environments, including CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions.
* Apply robust QA processes throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
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Essential Skills & Experience
* Strong payroll testing background with deep understanding of UK payroll cycles, PAYE, and statutory obligations.
* Proven hands-on experience in:
o NI category letters and contribution calculations
o PAYE tax band logic, personal allowances, and thresholds
o Apprenticeship levy and employment allowance interactions
* Working knowledge of desktop payroll applications.
* Solid experience writing test cases and automating test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python.
* Familiarity with technical documentation and API schemas.
* Proficient with version control (GIT) and CI/CD tooling (GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
* Experience using Docker and managing isolated testing environments.
* Strong understanding of manual and automated testing practices within Agile and Waterfall models.
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Desirable Skills
* Familiarity with RTI submissions (FPS, EPS), NVR responses, and error message validations.
* Experience creating or maintaining an automated testing framework.
* Confidence in writing test data scenarios that include irregular earnings, leavers/joiners, pension contributions, and holiday pay.
* Cross-platform testing experience: Windows, Linux, macOS.
* Working with virtualisation environments (e.g., Hyper-V, VirtualBox).
* ISEB/ISTQB certification or other industry-recognised QA qualifications.
* Awareness of bilingual testing needs, such as English/Welsh UI compliance (desirable but not essential).
Benefits
Why This Role?
* Work on critical national infrastructure systems used by thousands of UK employers
* Deepen your domain expertise in compliance and payroll automation
* Collaborate in a supportive, technically sound QA team
* Long-term visibility with strong extension potential
Requirements
Key Responsibilities Design and execute detailed manual test cases for payroll-related features using TestRail or similar tools. Develop and maintain automated test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python for regression and functional testing. Validate payroll calculation logic, including: NI contributions (primary and secondary) Tax codes and thresholds Student loan deductions Statutory payments (e.g., SMP, SPP, SSP) Simulate and create payroll datasets that cover varied worker scenarios (e.g. full-time, part-time, irregular pay). Use API endpoints (e.g., RTI submissions, NVR checks, FPS/EPS generation) to validate system integration. Conduct end-to-end testing of desktop-based applications, with a focus on cross-platform compatibility, performance, and UI consistency. Log, triage, and track defects using JIRA, GitHub, or similar issue management systems. Collaborate in Agile sprints and ceremonies with developers, analysts, and product owners. Maintain and configure Dockerised test environments, including CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions. Apply robust QA processes throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Essential Skills & Experience Strong payroll testing background with deep understanding of UK payroll cycles, PAYE, and statutory obligations. Proven hands-on experience in: NI category letters and contribution calculations PAYE tax band logic, personal allowances, and thresholds Apprenticeship levy and employment allowance interactions Working knowledge of desktop payroll applications. Solid experience writing test cases and automating test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python. Familiarity with technical documentation and API schemas. Proficient with version control (GIT) and CI/CD tooling (GitHub Actions, Jenkins). Experience using Docker and managing isolated testing environments. Strong understanding of manual and automated testing practices within Agile and Waterfall models. Desirable Skills Familiarity with RTI submissions (FPS, EPS), NVR responses, and error message validations. Experience creating or maintaining an automated testing framework. Confidence in writing test data scenarios that include irregular earnings, leavers/joiners, pension contributions, and holiday pay. Cross-platform testing experience: Windows, Linux, macOS. Working with virtualisation environments (e.g., Hyper-V, VirtualBox). ISEB/ISTQB certification or other industry-recognised QA qualifications. Awareness of bilingual testing needs, such as English/Welsh UI compliance (desirable but not essential).