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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Test Automation Lead - **Company:** Gapstars - **Location:** ALMERE, Netherlands - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** JavaScript (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Applications Architecture, Automation of Tests, Continuous Integration, Github, Load Testing, Systems Development Life Cycle, Regression Testing, TypeScript, Web Application Frameworks, Cypress (Programming Language), Integration Tests, Playwright - **Published:** September 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://gapstars.net/tech/career-listings/job-1647/ ## About the Role What You'll Bring (Requirements) * Around 8+ years of experience in QA, Quality Engineering, or Test Automation. * Experience owning an automation suite or QA automation practice end to end. * Strong JavaScript / TypeScript testing experience. * Strong experience with modern automation frameworks such as: - Playwright - Cypress - Similar modern JavaScript-based frameworks * Strong API and integration testing experience. * Experience with performance and load testing. * Experience building automated testing into CI/CD pipelines. * GitHub Actions experience is preferred. * Strong understanding of test architecture and regression strategy. * Comfortable working with AI coding agents and AI-assisted engineering workflows. * Able to understand application architecture and identify testability risks. * Strong English communication skills. * Comfortable working directly with engineers, Product Managers, and stakeholders in the Netherlands. * Able to take ownership and challenge release decisions where quality risk is high. The existing specification emphasizes automation ownership, modern frameworks, API/contract testing, scalable pipelines, architecture awareness, and the ability to communicate quality risks to both technical and product stakeholders. Nice to Have * Security testing experience. * Experience modernizing an unstable or legacy automation suite. * Experience implementing production quality metrics. * Experience testing feature flags and rollback mechanisms. * Experience introducing AI-native QA practices into an engineering organization. ## Description The Client is a product-led technology company transforming how the automotive repair industry connects and operates. The company is building the next generation of its platform, with a focus on creating a scalable and reliable system supporting users across Europe and beyond. We are looking for a Senior Test Automation Lead to take ownership of the automated QA practice from end to end. Client is moving from a more manual testing approach toward a modern, automation-led quality engineering model. The current automation suite is based on Playwright, but there is significant freedom to improve, redesign, or replace the existing setup.This role goes beyond maintaining test scripts. You will own the QA architecture, automation strategy, CI/CD integration, regression approach, production quality monitoring, and release readiness. AI will also play an important role. The expectation is to use AI agents as part of the testing and engineering workflow, including supporting the creation and maintenance of automated tests. What You'll Do * Own Clients's automated QA practice end to end. * Review and improve the existing Playwright automation suite. * Decide whether to improve the current framework, rebuild it, or introduce another modern solution. * Design scalable test automation architecture using JavaScript / TypeScript. * Build and maintain automated regression coverage. * Own API and integration testing. * Establish performance and load testing practices. * Build and maintain QA pipelines through GitHub Actions / CI/CD. * Improve automation stability, execution speed, and feedback cycles. * Introduce measurable quality and production-performance metrics. * Track escaped defects and ensure production issues receive permanent regression coverage. * Shift quality earlier into product design and development. * Extend QA into production monitoring and issue management. * Use AI agents to support the creation and maintenance of automated tests. * Work closely with engineers and Product Managers on testability and release risks. * Guide other engineers and QA professionals on automation and AI-native testing practices. * Act as the quality gate for releases where significant risk exists. The role is expected to own quality throughout the SDLC rather than treating QA as a final handover stage., Senior Test Automation Lead ## Related Videos - [How to add test automation to your project: The good, the bad, and the ugly](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1668-how-to-add-test-automation-to-your-project-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly) - [Innovating Developer Tools with AI: Insights from GitHub Next](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1268-innovating-developer-tools-with-ai-insights-from-github-next) - [Do TypeScript without TypeScript](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/327-do-typescript-without-typescript) - [Boost Productivity with AI: Figma & Playwright MCP Workflows - Aris Markogiannakis](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1768-boost-productivity-with-ai-figma-playwright-mcp-workflows-aris-markogiannakis) - [Are Classical Automation Frameworks Dead? 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