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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Automation Test Lead - **Company:** Vallum Associates - **Location:** Sheffield, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, JIRA, Build Automation, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, Batch Processing, Cloud Computing, Cloud Computing Security, Cloud Testing, Continuous Integration, DevOps, Github, Identity and Access Management, Python (Programming Language), Lightweight Directory Access Protocols (LDAP), OpenID, Role-Based Access Control, Test Case, Test Data, Strategies of Testing, Policy as Code, Google Cloud, Data Ingestion, Spring Cloud, Backend, Event Driven Architecture, Pytest, Bug Reporting, Apache Kafka, Restful APIs, Automation Anywhere, Api Management, Servicenow - **Published:** August 6, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.totaljobs.com/job/automation-test-lead/vallum-associates-limited-job107803594 ## About the Role ·Extensive experience in Identity and Access Management (IAM). ·Strong backend automation experience using Python and Pytest, with 5+ years leading automation projects. ·Proven experience testing functions and decision logic defined "as code", including policy-as-code. ·Experience validating event-driven platforms (Pub/Sub, queues, Kafka, etc.) and batch processing. ·Experience with identity warehousing and protocols/formats for data ingestion including SCIM, REST API, LDAP, OIDC, and CSV. ·Experience with policy-based testing (RBAC / ABAC / ReBAC / PBAC). ·Experience in consumer-driven contract testing. ·Experience in risk-based test prioritisation. ·DevOps & CI/CD integration experience, including integrating automation tests into GitHub and CI/CD pipelines and implementing shift-left testing practices. ·Strong experience in cloud testing approaches and methodology, especially GCP; additional exposure to AWS, Azure, Entra, Ali Cloud, and systems such as ServiceNow, AD, and ADLDS. ·Extensive experience using JIRA and Zephyr (mandatory). ·Experience executing defined test plans including coordination, tracking, and reporting. ·Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven stakeholder engagement at all levels. ## Description We are looking for a highly skilled Automation Test Lead with strong expertise in Identity and Access management (IAM), skilled in identity orchestration, API testing, data ingestion and transformation, and event-driven (Pub/Sub) architectures. This role focuses on testing secure, scalable workload identities and access workflows across Google Cloud Platform, integrating identity services with custom APIs, Pub/Sub pipelines, and cloud-native applications. Using an automation first approach, you will collaborate closely with tech leads, Cloud Security, DevOps, and Application Engineering teams to thoroughly test robust IAM, identity lifecycle workflows, and secure service integrations that support enterprise-level cloud and Identity operations. Key Responsibilities Test Architecture, Strategy and Governance (Hands-on + Strategic) ·Define and maintain an overall test strategy that describes the approach, environment, scope, risks, and required resources. ·Establish test strategies that cover deterministic and non-deterministic AI behaviours ·Define and maintain test entry and exit criteria. ·Ensure FR/NFR traceability. ·Perform test case reviews/QA to ensure coverage and traceability to requirements/design. ·Establish automation testing standards, best practices, and governance frameworks across the organisation. ·Liaise with business areas and technical leads on scenario definition across SIT/OAT/UAT and the wider testing lifecycle, as required. ·Generate regulatory evidence as needed. Automation Engineering and CI/CD * Plan, develop, execute, maintain, and continuously improve automated test frameworks and automated test scripts for IAM applications. * Build automation frameworks that integrate AI capabilities for test generation, analysis, failure triage, self-healing, and intelligent reporting (supporting capability). * Validate AI workflows, orchestration engines, and event-driven systems (Pub/Sub, queues, etc.). * Create and manage CI/CD pipelines to run automated tests, generate reports, and notify teams of test results. * Test and validate functions and decision logic defined "as code", including policy-as-code. * Generate synthetic and anonymised test data. Test Delivery, Defects and Stakeholder Management ·Develop and execute test plans, test cases, test data, test scenarios, and associated testing documentation aligned to requirements and technical specifications. ·Report and track defects and issues by writing (or automating) clear and thorough bug reports; attend triage meetings and verify fixes. ·Identify process and application issues and provide suggestions for improvement. ·Communicate progress regularly to senior stakeholders and programme leads, tailoring the level of detail to the audience. ## Related Videos - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Keeping applications secure by evolving OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100152-keeping-applications-secure-by-evolving-oauth-2-0-and-openid-connect) - [pytest: Simple, rapid and fun testing with Python](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/213-pytest-simple-rapid-and-fun-testing-with-python) - [Continuous testing - run automated tests for every change!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/190-continuous-testing-run-automated-tests-for-every-change) - [Collaboration Quantified: Lessons from Open Source Developer Networks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1422-collaboration-quantified-lessons-from-open-source-developer-networks) - [Enabling automated 1-click customer deployments with built-in quality and security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/83-enabling-automated-1-click-customer-deployments-with-built-in-quality-and-security) ## Related Articles - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [13 AI Tools for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/302-13-ai-tools-for-developers) - [What is a Test Plan: Guide to Test Planning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/191-what-is-a-test-plan-guide-to-test-planning) - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)