£450 Per day
Outside
Remote
UK - Remote
Summary: The Lead Test Engineer will be responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive test strategy for complex digital products within a leading consultancy supporting a major UK Government programme. This role involves leading the end-to-end testing lifecycle, focusing on AI and machine learning products, and ensuring high-quality, secure, and reliable product releases. The position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in delivery. The successful candidate will need to undergo a basic level of security clearance before starting the assignment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define, implement and execute a comprehensive test strategy for complex digital products
- Take ownership of the full end-to-end testing lifecycle across pre-production environments
- Lead integration testing across multiple systems, services and APIs
- Design and deliver robust automated end-to-end test coverage, ideally using Playwright
- Implement and manage security testing and vulnerability scanning, including OWASP-aligned practices
- Validate the quality, reliability and performance of AI/ML-driven products
- Develop appropriate test frameworks for non-deterministic outputs and evolving model behaviour
- Establish clear evaluation criteria and quality benchmarks for AI-generated outputs
- Work closely with Product, Engineering and Data Science teams to refine requirements and improve testability
- Ensure testing aligns with aggressive delivery schedules without compromising quality
Key Skills:
- Proven experience as a Test Lead, QA Lead, or Senior Test Engineer in agile delivery environments
- Strong track record of defining and executing test strategies in fast-paced, pre-production settings
- Hands-on expertise in automated testing, with strong preference for Playwright
- Extensive experience in integration testing, API testing and system validation
- Practical knowledge of application security testing, including OWASP principles and security scanning tools
- Experience testing AI and machine learning products
- Strong understanding of modern software development and CI/CD practices
- Knowledge of accessibility testing and inclusive design principles
- Familiarity with WCAG 2.2 standards
- Experience using accessibility testing tools such as axe, WAVE or similar
- Opportunity to work on genuinely innovative AI/ML products
Salary (Rate): £450 per day
City: undetermined
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
Lead Test Engineer
- Lead Test Engineer
- £450 per day
- Outside IR35
- 6-month contract (initially)
- Remote working (UK-based)
Skills and Experience:
- Proven experience as a Test Lead, QA Lead, or Senior Test Engineer in agile delivery environments
- Strong track record of defining and executing test strategies in fast-paced, pre-production settings
- Hands-on expertise in automated testing, with strong preference for Playwright
- Extensive experience in integration testing, API testing and system validation
- Practical knowledge of application security testing, including OWASP principles and security scanning tools
- Experience testing AI and machine learning products
- Strong understanding of modern software development and CI/CD practices
- Knowledge of accessibility testing and inclusive design principles
- Familiarity with WCAG 2.2 standards
- Experience using accessibility testing tools such as axe, WAVE or similar
- Opportunity to work on genuinely innovative AI/ML products
Role and Responsibilities:
- Define, implement and execute a comprehensive test strategy for complex digital products
- Take ownership of the full end-to-end testing lifecycle across pre-production environments
- Lead integration testing across multiple systems, services and APIs
- Design and deliver robust automated end-to-end test coverage, ideally using Playwright
- Implement and manage security testing and vulnerability scanning, including OWASP-aligned practices
- Validate the quality, reliability and performance of AI/ML-driven products
- Develop appropriate test frameworks for non-deterministic outputs and evolving model behaviour
- Establish clear evaluation criteria and quality benchmarks for AI-generated outputs
- Work closely with Product, Engineering and Data Science teams to refine requirements and improve testability
- Ensure testing aligns with aggressive delivery schedules without compromising quality
The Opportunity:
We’re seeking a Lead Test Engineer to join a leading consultancy supporting a major UK Government programme, working on meaningful digital projects (Government Digital Services – GDS) that directly impact public services across the UK.
You’ll design, execute and document test cases, collaborating closely with developers, business analysts and delivery teams to drive continuous improvement and excellence in delivery.
We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Test Engineer Lead to join an innovative technology organisation delivering cutting-edge AI and machine learning products.
You will take full ownership of the testing strategy across pre-production environments, ensuring high-quality, secure and reliable product releases.
This role will suit an accomplished test professional who combines strategic oversight with strong technical execution.
You’ll be working within an agile, cross-functional team to ensure the quality, reliability and performance of critical services.
If you are a technically strong, hands-on Test Lead with experience in AI/ML product testing, we would be keen to hear from you.
NB: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic level of security clearance before undertaking the assignment (two weeks’ lead-time).
Applications:
To learn more about this newly created opportunity consulting as a Lead Test Engineer, for an initial 6 month engagement, operating on a remote-working basis; please call and speak with Edward Laing here at ISR Recruitment on 07436 071 872 or please send through a copy of your latest online profile and/or CV for an immediate call back in the strictest confidence.
Please contact Edward Laing here at ISR to learn more about our client and how they are leading the way in developing the next generation of technical solutions through innovation and transformational technology??