Senior QA Automation Engineer

DescriptionBoard Intelligence is a technology and advisory firm that supercharges boards with the science of board effectiveness. We build better businesses and benefit society. Through a suite of AI-powered software tools, evaluation frameworks, and advisory services that distil twenty years of boardroom experience, we improve the efficiency of board processes and the effectiveness of boards. We work with over 80,000 leaders and 3,000 organisations across the world, with clients across the Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and OMX 30. In 2024 we received substantial backing from K1 Investment Management – the leading B2B Enterprise SaaS investors. We are at the beginning of significant growth, and we’re looking for superb talent to join us on this journey. As we grow, we’re fiercely protective of our culture and values. Many of us, including our founders, have families and other priorities, so we know the value of a supportive company. The team is diverse and friendly. We value fun: most days you’ll find a social event or learning opportunity to get involved with, including company socials, away days, and philanthropic activities. Our Mission We unleash the potential of organisations through the science of board effectiveness, building better businesses and benefiting society. The RoleAs Senior QA Automation Engineer, you will be embedded within one of our product councils as the dedicated quality expert, typically for a year-long engagement. You will work across the full product lifecycle, from refinement sessions through to delivery, bringing quality thinking in early rather than bolting it on at the end.Alongside your council work, you will play a significant role in shaping our wider QA function. That means evolving our automation frameworks, mentoring engineers, championing better practices, and contributing strategic input that influences how the whole team operates.This is a senior individual contributor role with real autonomy and visibility. You will be trusted to identify what needs doing and get on with it, whilst also knowing when to bring others along with you.Main Responsibilities Quality leadership and strategyPartner with QA leadership to help shape strategy, standards, and direction across the functionLead initiatives to improve our TypeScript/Cypress (web) and Java/Appium (mobile) automation frameworksIdentify and drive adoption of new testing approaches, tools, and methodologiesEstablish and evolve testing standards across the QA teamMentor QA engineers, helping them grow both their technical and strategic skillsChampion continuous improvement by consistently identifying better ways of workingTesting and automationWrite high-quality automated tests using our TypeScript/Cypress and Java/Appium frameworks, contributing new tests regularlyArchitect and implement improvements to existing test frameworksMaintain and enhance test suite reliability and effectivenessDebug, monitor, and resolve automation pipeline failuresPerform manual testing including ticket verification, test case management, and regression testingLead by example in testing practices and demonstrate what excellence looks likeEmbedded QA within your product councilAct as the sole QA representative within your assigned product councilBuild strong relationships and credibility with developers, product managers, and stakeholdersParticipate in refinement sessions from the earliest stages, influencing quality from the startManage stakeholder expectations and communicate quality status clearly and confidentlyHandle multiple concurrent workstreams effectively within your councilRequirementsWe care more about how you think and operate than whether your CV maps perfectly to the list below. The strongest candidates will likely bring:The essentialsSignificant QA experience with a background in a senior QA or SDET roleExpertise in test automation, with proven experience architecting or significantly improving test frameworksStrong hands-on experience with end-to-end automation frameworks such as Selenium, Cypress, WebDriver, or AppiumDemonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and drive them through to completionExperience mentoring and upskilling other QA engineersA track record of establishing testing standards and best practices within teamsStrong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and advise at all levelsExperience working in Agile environments embedded within product teamsHighly desirableHands-on experience with TypeScript/Cypress or Java/Appium specificallyAPI and contract testing experienceStrong understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practicesExperience with performance and load testingMobile app testing expertiseUnderstanding of test architecture and design patternsThe mindsetComfortable working autonomously to identify problems and implement solutionsAble to influence strategy whilst remaining genuinely hands-on with codeEnergised by mentoring others and helping them growConstructively challenges the status quo to drive meaningful changeBalances strategic thinking with practical executionProactive in identifying what needs doing without waiting to be directedA strong communicator who actively engages across remote and distributed teamsOur tech stackAutomation frameworks: TypeScript with Cypress (web portal), Java with Appium (mobile apps)Product stack: Ruby on Rails backend, React frontend, some Clojure servicesInfrastructure: Kubernetes across cloud and on-premises datacentresBenefits We pride ourselves on our great working environment and package. Here’s some of what’s on offer: Pension scheme Personal performance bonus 26 days holiday each calendar year Bupa health & dental cover Group life assuranceEAPCycle to work scheme Job SummaryID: 5DC7A55AE3Department: Core EngineeringType: full time