Xpert: Lead Automation Test Engineer (UK based)

<p>Role: Lead Automation Test Engineer </p> <p>Type: Long-term contract </p> <p>Location: UK remote, with occasional UK client visits as required, travel expenses covered </p> <p>Clearance required: Active SC, or SC + NPPV3 </p> <p>Summary </p> <p>We’re building a network of remote based, SC cleared Lead Automation Test Engineers across the country for </p> <p>upcoming opportunities during 2026. This is not an immediate live vacancy, but a proactive market-mapping </p> <p>exercise to identify cleared professionals for future client demand. Roles could become active imminently or </p> <p>within 3 months. We are interested in speaking with senior automation testing specialists who can lead test </p> <p>automation activities, improve quality engineering practices, and support delivery across modern software </p> <p>environments. Candidates must already hold active SC clearance or SC clearance plus NPPV3. Clearance </p> <p>must be current, or within 3 months of expiry. </p> <p>Key responsibilities </p> <p>• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of automated test solutions across complex systems. </p> <p>• Build and improve scalable automation frameworks for web, API, and service-based testing. </p> <p>• Work closely with developers, analysts, and delivery teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout </p> <p>the software lifecycle. </p> <p>• Review manual test cases and identify opportunities for automation and test optimisation. </p> <p>• Execute automated functional, regression, and integration testing across evolving releases. </p> <p>• Raise, track, and manage defects through to resolution, ensuring issues are clearly documented. </p> <p>• Contribute to test planning, effort estimation, reporting, and release readiness activities. </p> <p>• Support shift-left testing practices and help improve automation maturity within CI/CD environments. </p> <p>Essential skills and experience </p> <p>• Strong experience in test automation within enterprise or regulated environments. </p> <p>• Hands-on experience with Selenium and strong working knowledge of C# and/or JavaScript. </p> <p>• Experience designing and executing automated test cases for user interfaces and service-based apps. </p> <p>• Experience building, maintaining, or improving automation frameworks. </p> <p>• Strong understanding of defect management, QA processes, and software testing best practice. </p> <p>• Able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. </p> <p>• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively within distributed teams. </p> <p>Desirable skills and experience </p> <p>• Experience with Playwright or similar modern automation tools. </p> <p>• Experience with Azure DevOps and working within CI/CD pipelines. </p> <p>• Experience with cloud-based test tools such as BrowserStack or equivalent. </p> <p>• Knowledge of reporting frameworks such as Allure, Extent, or similar. </p> <p>• Experience testing across UI, API, middleware, and database layers. </p> <p>• Relevant certifications such as ISTQB or equivalent. </p> <p>• Experience working with offshore or distributed QA teams. </p> <p>Security clearance requirement </p> <p>• Applicants must already hold: </p> <p>o Active SC clearance, or </p> <p>o Active SC clearance plus NPPV3 </p> <p>• Clearance must be live, or due to expire within the next 3 months. </p> <p>• This opportunity pipeline is not suitable for candidates who would need to obtain clearance from </p> <p>scratch. </p> <p>InspiredXpert is a specialist IT Talent Solutions company providing high-quality contract or perm talent </p> <p>across software development, cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and data-driven roles. We connect skilled </p> <p>professionals with innovative companies, offering exciting opportunities to work on impactful projects </p> <p>across the globe.</p>