Software Development Engineer in Test

Webexpenses is looking for a hands-on SDET / Test Automation Lead to lead a step-change in how our Engineering team tests software. Over a 12-month fixed-term contract, you’ll design, build and maintain automated test coverage across UI, API and performance layers using Playwright and AI-assisted test generation tools, while mentoring colleagues and embedding automation practices that outlast the contract itself.

This is a role for someone who loves both writing great automation and helping others get better at it. You’ll be driving Engineering’s shift from manual to automated testing, not just within QA.

What you’ll do

• Lead the automation of existing manual test coverage, prioritising high-value regression and repetitive scenarios.
• Design, build and maintain Playwright-based end-to-end and API test frameworks using TypeScript/JavaScript.
• Develop API endpoint test coverage and integrate it into the CI pipeline.
• Introduce and embed performance testing practices for key services and workflows.
• Use AI tools such as Claude to accelerate test generation, failure triage and documentation, critically validating AI-generated output.
• Mentor and coach the engineering team through pairing, structured training and code review.
• Deliver training sessions and reference documentation to raise automation capability across the wider Software Testing team.
• Integrate automated tests into Azure DevOps CI pipelines and monitor pipeline health and flakiness.
• Collaborate with developers and product owners to define acceptance criteria and testable requirements.
• Contribute to sprint ceremonies, test strategy and defect reporting.
• Establish automation standards, patterns and documentation the team can sustain independently after the contract ends.

• Strong hands-on experience with Playwright for end-to-end and API test automation (TypeScript and/or JavaScript).
• Practical experience testing API endpoints (e.g. Postman, REST Assured) and integrating these into CI pipelines.
• Working knowledge of performance testing tools and principles (e.g. JMeter, k6).
• Practical experience using AI tools to generate, review or maintain automated tests.
• Familiarity with CI pipelines and delivery tooling, ideally Azure DevOps.
• A track record of translating manual or ad-hoc test coverage into scalable automated suites.
• Strong coaching and knowledge-sharing skills, able to explain automation concepts clearly to testers without a coding background.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail.
• Comfortable in IntelliJ IDEA and/or VS Code, with solid Git practice.
• Experience delivering within Agile/Scrum teams.
• ISTQB Foundation or Advanced certification is desirable.
• Mobile automation (Appium), SQL, backend testing (Java/SpringBoot), or cloud platform experience (AWS) is a plus but not essential.

Why this role

You’ll have real scope to shape how an engineering organisation tests software, introducing tools, standards and a coaching culture that stick well beyond a 12-month contract. If you’re proactive, quality-obsessed, and genuinely enjoy building capability in others, we’d love to hear from you.