Automation Test Team Lead

We have an exciting opportunity for an Automation Test Team Lead to join our successful and expanding company.

This role is largely internally facing, working within an agile software development team.

The primary focus of the role is to develop the Automation Test Strategy alongside the Solution Assurance Director, to include assisting in the identification, selection and implementation of automation tools, technology, and best practice. To implement the initial Automation Test Strategy. To develop and continuously improve Automated tests as new system features and enhancements are developed. Execute automated tests and to manage the resulting defect logs. To ensure the appropriate automation test environments are in place and kept up to date. Documenting the Automation test process and mentoring the relevant Solution Assurance Test Analysts in the use of the test framework adopted. Providing test estimates for automation test development/execution.

Essential Functions of the job / Personal Responsibilities

• Define/Create/Assist/Troubleshoot the development of Test Automation Framework, Standards, Procedures,
• Processes, Toolsets and Best practices as related to Test Automation
• Manage the Daily/Weekly activities of the Test Automation Team Members and support the onboarding of new team members
• Provide technical guidance and expertise to team members, colleagues and/or customers
• Contribute to program/project review meetings. Support Quality Assurance Management in
• Determining status, assessing problem areas, suggesting and reviewing corrective actions,
• Directing/planning necessary extra work, and rework and re-plan activities
• Maintain and Guide Test Automation Suites Execution and undertake analysis of results to ensure that software meets or exceeds specified standards and/or client and technical requirements
• Work with project stakeholders to determine the appropriate quality initiatives to implement during
• Support Quality Assurance Lead in upward stakeholder management and day-to-day
• Management of the Automation Test team
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with other IT services, IT solution functions and customers to expedite delivery of IT solutions
• Work within quality assurance frameworks to ensure stability, efficiency and scalability
• Take responsibility for integrity of testing and acceptance activities and coordinates the execution of these activities
• Provide authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of test planning and execution
• Assist in the development of quality assurance and testing policies, standards and procedures, processes, and best practices as related to automation through a Community of Practice
• Contribute to program/project review meetings. Support Quality Assurance Management in determining status, assessing problem areas, suggesting and reviewing corrective actions, directing/planning necessary extra work, and rework and re-plan activities
• Support the onboarding of new team members
• Work with project stakeholders to determine the appropriate quality initiatives to implement during system development life cycles
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with other IT services, IT solution functions and customers to expedite delivery of IT solutions
• Provide feedback and suggestions to improve the application of basic principles and practices related to Software Development Process Improvement
• Review requirements and specifications, and define test automated test solutions

Analytical/Decision Making Responsibilities:

• Proactive approach to identifying issues and presenting solutions and options, and where appropriate, leading to resolution
• Ability to clearly articulate both problems and proposed solutions
• Ability to prioritize personal and team workloads to best meet organizational objectives
• Empowered to make decisions and recommend approach based on the results from quality reviews

Knowledge and Skills Requirements:

• Expertise in both Defining and Creating Test Automation Frameworks
• 4+ Years of experience in Agile environment and DevOps
• Solid understanding of VSTS/Azure CI/CD Pipelines
• Expertise in setting up Automation Suites in CI/CD Environment
• Experience developing API automated testing solutions using UFT, Selenium, JUnit, Soap UI and JMeter
• Ability to determine strategic direction and not just tactical
• Strong programming and technical experience as this role will require digging into code and interfacing with developers and delivery managers
• Knowledge of tools and processes for results reporting
• Experience with testing big enterprise, high-traffic and multi-tier applications using MS Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Experience managing teams of Automation Engineers strongly preferred
• Excellent attention to detail
• Good interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Maintains knowledge of specific technical specialisms, provides detailed advice regarding their application, and executes specialized tasks
• Motivated by delivery and speed to outcome
• Ability to determine strategic direction not just tactical
• The ability to work and team effectively with clients and other management personnel across geographies
• Flexibility to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, ambiguity and rapid change
• Ability to deal efficiently with escalations and difficult situations under pressure
• Knowledge of Agile Software Development Lifecycle and Test Driven development
• Knowledge of Quality Management techniques
• Intermediate understanding of the customer services and business processes
• Knowledge of Agile and automation processes
• Demonstrates the ability to research, formulate relevant questions and seek advice about specific concepts and practices to deepen learning and application skills related to Quality Management
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of key principles related to Software Development Process Improvement

Supervision Responsibilities:

• Provide supervision and direction to team members and staff
• Delegate, coach, coordinate and lead co-workers and project team members
• Responsible for training and standards for functional team performance
• Has direct responsibility for supervising personnel (i.e. set goals, assigns work, review performance, and conducts career development discussions)

Why work for us: We aim to offer an inclusive and great place to work. We are passionate about building diverse teams and celebrating individuality. We love seeing our people grow and develop their careers and in return we reward talent with competitive salaries and great benefits.
When you choose a career with us you also get access to a wide range of excellent, highly competitive benefits such as:

• Career progression
• 23 days holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
• Flexible/Hybrid/Remote working (depending on the role)
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Company contributory pension scheme, life assurance, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, two weeks paternity pay…and plenty more

About SSS Public Safety SSS Public Safety (formerly Capita Secure Solutions and Services) is a leading solution provider to the Police, Criminal Justice, Emergency Services and Critical Responder sectors across the world; helping our clients deliver effective public services.
We pride ourselves on being innovative and our integrated portfolio of solutions is testament to the continued investments we make. Our solutions encompass Control Rooms and Contact Centres, Integrated Communications, Digital Evidence Management, Records Management, Duties Management and full-lifecycle Device Managed Services supported by 24/7 field engineering and support services.
Find out more at www.sss-publicsafety.com

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £65,000.00-£70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chippenham