Overview
We are seeking a Lead Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) for a 6-month contract opportunity with a leading energy business. This role requires a highly skilled contractor who can quickly integrate into a collaborative engineering team, focusing on enhancing automation within a complex technology environment. The successful candidate will work on API, UI, and back-end testing to improve delivery confidence and overall software quality.
Responsibilities
- Design and build automated test frameworks across API, UI, and back-end/data layers.
- Integrate test automation into CI/CD pipelines to improve deployment confidence and feedback loops.
- Conduct performance, regression, and exploratory testing across complex, integrated systems.
- Define and document test strategies and standards for use by the wider team.
- Collaborate with developers, architects, and business analysts to shift testing left.
- Produce clear test reports and communicate quality risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Work with data and infrastructure teams to ensure end-to-end coverage across pipelines and integrations.
- Support knowledge transfer and upskilling of permanent team members where required.
Requirements
- 5+ years' experience as an SDET or senior automation engineer, with a strong contracting track record.
- Proven ability to deliver autonomously from the outset — minimal ramp-up time required.
- Strong programming skills in Python and/or Java, capable of writing production-quality test code.
- Demonstrable experience building automation frameworks from scratch, not just maintaining existing ones.
- Deep expertise in API testing — REST/GraphQL — using tools such as Postman, RestAssured, or similar.
- Hands-on experience with CI/CD tooling (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or equivalent).
- Experience testing back-end systems, data pipelines, or ETL processes including data validation.
- Excellent communication skills and comfort presenting quality risks to mixed audiences.