software test lead.

💰 Salary: £60,000 per annum

We are seeking an experienced Software Test Lead to drive our software quality strategy as we expand our RF spectrum monitoring and data visualisation platforms. This role requires a strong leader who can combine strategic oversight with hands-on technical expertise to ensure the reliability of mission-critical systems used in defence and regulatory environments.

You will play a key role in defining testing approaches, advancing automation, and embedding quality across the development lifecycle. Acting as a bridge between Product Management and Engineering, you will ensure our solutions are not only defect-free but also robust and fit for real-world operational demands.

🎯 Key Responsibilities

📊 Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive testing strategy covering functional, regression, integration, and performance testing.
• Champion best practices in quality assurance across the organisation.

👥 Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of test engineers.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and technical excellence.

📝 Test Planning & Execution

• Own the full testing lifecycle for major releases, including requirements analysis, test planning, execution, and final sign-off.
• Deliver clear and structured release reporting.

⚙️ Automation & Tooling

• Assess current testing processes and drive the adoption of an effective balance between manual and automated testing.
• Define and implement an automation roadmap.

🛡️ Quality Advocacy

• Act as the primary advocate for quality in cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Product Owners and Architects to ensure testability is embedded from the design stage.

🐞 Defect & Issue Management

• Oversee bug triage and prioritisation.
• Ensure timely and efficient resolution of defects aligned with project timelines.

🔄 Process Improvement

• Continuously evolve Quality Management System (QMS) processes to align with Agile methodologies while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

✅ Requirements

💼 Core Experience

• Extensive experience in software testing, including leadership roles (Lead, Senior, or Principal level).
• Proven ability to design and implement testing frameworks and processes from scratch.

🧠 Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of software architecture, including desktop and web applications, APIs, and embedded systems.
• Expertise in test management tools such as Jira/Xray.
• Experience implementing automation frameworks.

🤝 Leadership & Communication

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate risks, priorities, and quality metrics to senior stakeholders.

🚀 Mindset

• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Genuine interest in learning complex systems, including software interacting with hardware.

⭐ Desirable Skills

• Experience with automation tools such as Pytest, Selenium, or Playwright.
• Familiarity with integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, Jenkins).
• Understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/UDP and high-speed data streaming.
• ISTQB Advanced Level (Test Manager) certification or equivalent.

If this sounds like you, please apply directly.

Randstad Technologies Ltd is a leading specialist recruitment business for the IT & Engineering industries. Please note that due to a high level of applications, we can only respond to applicants whose skills & qualifications are suitable for this position. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.