QA Engineer (Backend)

This role offers the opportunity to take full ownership of backend quality within a growing, engineering-led organisation building technology for the specialty insurance market. As the QA Engineer focused on APIs and backend services, you will design and execute test strategies, strengthen testing standards, and ensure that all backend systems and integrations are reliable, scalable, and ready for production. You'll work closely with a small, collaborative team where your contributions will have immediate impact., * Design, execute, and maintain test cases for REST APIs, backend services, and system integrations

• Validate API behaviour, contracts, and interactions across multiple consumers
• Identify edge cases, boundary conditions, and complex error scenarios
• Report, track, and support resolution of defects with clear and actionable documentation
• Maintain organised test suites, datasets, and documentation
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to understand requirements and influence quality decisions
• Recommend and implement improvements to test coverage, efficiency, and reliability

• Hands-on experience testing APIs with tools such as Postman, Insomnia, or similar
• Ability to write basic test scripts (Python, JavaScript, Bash, etc.)
• Strong understanding of HTTP methods, status codes, and request/response structures
• Experience working with OpenAPI/Swagger specifications
• High attention to detail and a methodical approach to testing
• Strong communication skills for defect reporting and cross-team collaboration
• Experience managing test suites and documenting test cases
• Proven ability to identify meaningful bugs and edge cases
• Collaborative, proactive, and comfortable sharing knowledge
• Must have the right to work in the UK

Desirable but Not Essential

• SQL experience for backend data validation
• Understanding of authentication models (OAuth, JWT, API keys)
• Experience with API versioning and backward compatibility
• Exposure to webhook or asynchronous testing approaches
• Familiarity with automation frameworks for API testing
• Awareness of performance or security testing principles
• Experience using observability tools (logging, metrics, traces)
• Containerisation knowledge (Docker)
• Experience testing public production APIs

A small, fast-moving technology business operating within the specialty insurance sector. The organisation is pragmatic, collaborative, and committed to building high-quality, user-focused software. With a strong engineering culture and ambitious growth plans, the company offers the opportunity to work closely with experienced developers, take ownership of meaningful work, and influence how products and processes evolve. The environment suits individuals who value autonomy, open communication, and practical problem-solving in a low-bureaucracy setting.