Software Development Engineer in Test

Quality Assurance holds a vital place in River Island Engineering Strategy and is an integral part of the development team. It is indeed an exciting time for RI Tech as we are transitioning to microservices architecture and embracing a DevOps culture. We strive to continuously improve our development and testing processes to shorten feedback loops and maximise value., * Champion a shift-left approach to in-sprint testing

• Advocate continuous testing approach within the team * Promote consistent usage of test pyramid approach to have effective coverage across various test levels

• Guide the team to factor in testing impacts as part of solution design and development

• Pursue automation first approach whilst testing any solution

• Provide automation best practice solution within the product team and drive continuous improvements in our test automation frameworks

• Mentor the wider team members to guide them through the automation journey

• Propose path breaking initiatives within testing to help driver faster feedback loop, * Ensure that requirements/user stories/acceptance criteria stated are correct, unambiguous, and testable.

• Work as an embedded tester in an agile cross-functional product team. This might involve - evaluating complexity of user stories, estimating during sprint planning, assessing risk, developing and performing tests.

• Identify any potential risks to product quality and plan tests focused on the identified risks.

• Adopt a user perspective in testing end-user facing applications.

• Design and build robust and scalable test automation frameworks for the entire tech stack and develop test automation in accordance with agile test pyramid and industry best practices.

• Create high quality, maintainable, and performant test code. * Proactively identify opportunities to improve the quality assurance processes and actively contribute to test automation initiative across the RI IT function covering all phases of testing

• Ensure defects are documented in sufficient detail to be reproducible.

• Manage defects found and work with stakeholders/team to analyse, prioritise and resolve them.

• Proactively share knowledge and information with others * Mentor team on quality assurance and test automation best practices * Ensure all work is completed in a timely manner and in accordance with established processes, practices, procedures and quality standards

• Actively contribute to relevant Communities of practice

• Adopt an automation first approach and work in parallel with development to develop automation tests.

• Proactively identify improvements to the current dev, build and test processes with a focus on increasing value and shortening feedback loops. Work closely with test manager and Engineering managers to implement process and ways of working changes.

• Collaborate with business analysts, developers and test on development iterations.

• Create documentation around the framework, best practices, and learnings

• Actively contribute to Test Automation Community of Practice, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing changes in their own teams.

• Mentor/Coach team members on developing automated tests.

• Conduct demos and workshops on Automation for wider RI Tech team

We are looking for experienced Software Development Engineer in Test to champion QA in our cross functional teams. With a thorough working knowledge of agile methodologies and test automation best practices, you will engage proactively with the team to provide test automation expertise in a cross functional product team. You will understand business requirements, elaborate user stories and define acceptance criteria and plan, define and execute testing of all project deliveries; triage issues found and report on progress. As a champion of quality assurance, you will help align testing strategy to enable us to be better and faster., Customer-Focused Approach -Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required to orient the seller's organization around delivering to the key needs of their customers. Data Control - Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on acquiring, organizing, protecting and processing data to fulfil business objectives In-Depth Questioning - Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others to explore the depth and breadth of a problem, draw out the implications of not changing, and help clients self-discover and articulate the value of a solution. Seeks to understand the client's situation; Explores client problems and solutions; Differentiates between complaining and a desire for action. Action Planning - Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on developing appropriate plans or performing necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements. Data Collection and Analysis - Works independently and provides guidance and training to others on analysing data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making

• Significant experience of automation test approaches and setting up test automation frameworks from scratch * Experience of developing tests at all levels of agile test automation pyramid

• Extensive experience with quality assurance tools and practices

• Understanding of agile methodologies such as test driven development, continuous integration, agile testing

• Experience of planning, executing and validating tests across the full test spectrum (functional, non-functional, regression, integration, UAT, OAT etc)

• In depth knowledge of Exploratory testing techniques, Rapid software testing and Session based testing, testing heuristics

• Experience of testing complex enterprise applications

• Experience with API testing using tools like Postman and testing frameworks like RestAssured.

• Experience in Service Oriented/Micro-Services architecture

• Experience of working in IaS and PaS

• Experience of Docker containerization and CICD at scale

• Test Automation using Selenium WebDriver, Cucumber-JVM, Appium, Webdriver.io

• Strong coding skills in languages like Golang, Python, Java, or JavaScript

• Object oriented design patterns

• Deeper understanding of HTTP requests, responses, and status codes

• Build tools like Maven, Gradle or similar

• CI Tools like Teamcity, Jenkins or similar

• Cloud infrastructure like AWS, Azure or similar

• Project/Issue tracking tools such as Jira

• Agile - Scrum/Kanban

• Github

• Relational(Oracle, SQL Server) and noSQL databases(MongoDB, DynamoDB or similar)

• Test Management tools such as Zephyr, Quality Center, X-ray or similar

• Performance Test Tools such as Load Runner, JMeter, Gatling etc

• Security Test Tools such as ZAP, Nessus etc

• Familiarity with tools like Swagger for API documentation and understanding different API formats like JSON

Behavioural Competencies: Manages Complexity - Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations. Accurately defines the key elements of complex, ambiguous situations Optimizes Work Processes - Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, uses metrics and benchmarks to monitor accuracy and quality. Takes steps to make methods productive and efficient. Promptly and effectively addresses process breakdowns Communicates Effectively - Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing Courage - Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. For example, shares own ideas and points of view openly, regardless of potential criticism or risk; shows conviction when faced with adversity and challenges; raises difficult topics to be sure they are addressed Action Oriented - Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. For example, takes timely action on important or difficult issues. Identifies and pursues new opportunities that benefit the organization Ensures Accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.

• Focused, consistent and results-driven
• Communicates in a clear, confident and articulate manner
• Possesses a strong command of the English language
• Passionate about Quality Assurance and has a keen eye to detail
• Actively engages with team in all phases of development
• Demonstrates a flexible, pragmatic and collaborative approach
• Builds positive and constructive relationships with colleagues
• Demonstrates energy and resourcefulness in addressing business needs and requirements
• Takes a positive and proactive approach to identifying and raising awareness of risks and issues
• Cultivates a culture of team ownership of quality
• Enthusiastic about learning new technologies and improving skills

Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!

Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.

A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.

Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!

Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.

Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and receive matched funding.

Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.

A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.

The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.

• ️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!

We're a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together - and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.