Automation Test Lead/Test Automation Architect (SC cleared)

Automation Test Lead/Test Automation Architect

Location: London
Working Pattern: Hybrid - 50% onsite
Contract: 6 months initially (high likelihood of extension)
Rate: Up to £425 per day - Inside IR35
Clearance: Active SC Clearance required
Start: ASAP - Targeting the first week of September

The Opportunity

We are recruiting an experienced Automation Test Lead/Test Automation Architect to join a major programme with a leading banking institution.

This is a senior technical leadership role focused on the modernisation, optimisation and governance of enterprise-scale test automation supporting mission-critical systems within a highly regulated financial environment.

You will lead automation architecture decisions, modernise existing frameworks, improve CI/CD integration, reporting and observability, and provide hands-on technical leadership to Automation Engineers and SDETs.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the enterprise automation strategy and roadmap
• Lead the modernisation and re-engineering of existing automation frameworks
• Design scalable, reusable and high-performing automation architecture
• Establish automation standards, governance and engineering best practices
• Consolidate duplicated automation utilities and develop reusable components
• Improve automation execution performance and support large-scale test suites
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines
• Develop and improve HTML/JSON reporting and automation dashboards
• Enhance automation observability, structured logging and diagnostics
• Provide technical leadership, architecture guidance and code reviews
• Mentor and coach SDETs and Automation Engineers
• Manage risks, dependencies, milestones and delivery activities
• Work closely with Architects, Developers, Product Owners and senior stakeholders
• Create technical documentation, training materials and knowledge-transfer plans

Essential Technical Skills

We are looking for strong hands-on experience across:

• Java - 8+ years
• JavaScript - 5+ years
• Python - 3+ years
• Test Automation Framework Design - 8+ years
• Karate Framework - 5+ years
• Selenium WebDriver - 6+ years
• Page Object Model - 5+ years
• API Automation - 5+ years
• CI/CD Automation - 5+ years
• Jenkins
• Azure DevOps
• Git

Integration & Messaging Experience

• Kafka testing
• IBM MQ testing
• Enterprise messaging systems
• XML validation
• XSD validation
• Enterprise integration testing

Database & Engineering Skills

• Oracle
• SQL
• Data validation frameworks
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Design Patterns
• Framework Architecture
• Reusable Component Design
• Automation Scalability
• Performance Optimisation

Banking & Financial Services Experience

Strong experience within Banking, Payments, Financial Services or Capital Markets is highly desirable.

Experience with any of the following would be advantageous:

• RTGS
• Payments systems
• ISO 20022
• SWIFT
• Financial messaging gateways
• Central banking systems

Desirable Skills

• Xray
• JIRA Administration
• Service Virtualisation
• Test Data Management
• Enterprise Monitoring Tools
• Performance Testing
• Agile/SAFe

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an experienced Automation Test Lead, Test Automation Architect, Automation Architect or Lead SDET with a strong combination of hands-on technical expertise and enterprise automation leadership.

You will have experience designing and delivering scalable automation frameworks and be comfortable operating at both an architectural and hands-on technical level.

You must be able to engage with senior stakeholders, lead technical discussions, set automation standards and mentor engineering teams.

Important

Active SC Clearance is mandatory (MUST HAVE)

Banking or Financial Services experience is A MUST.

This is an urgent requirement, with interviews expected to move quickly.

Interested? Please apply with your latest CV, confirming your current SC clearance status, availability and day rate.