Software Engineer in Test

QA Engineer (First SDET Hire) | Social Impact Tech – Remote UK | £45K–£80K

Are you scrolling through roles that all feel the same?

Would you like to use your engineering skills to genuinely improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the UK?

We’re working with a mission-led technology company that uses data and technology to help households access the financial support they’re entitled to. They’ve already helped millions of people unlock billions in unclaimed support and are now entering an exciting scale-up phase.

This is their first dedicated QA / SDET hire , giving you a rare opportunity to shape quality engineering from the ground up in a product that truly matters.

As the QA Engineer, this is far more than a test execution role. You’ll act as the advocate for quality across a growing product suite – from user-facing calculators to complex data and analytics services.

What you’ll be doing

• Owning and defining the QA strategy from scratch as the first SDET in the business
• Expanding test coverage across existing systems while setting standards for the future
• Leading testing across front-end, back-end, integration, and security
• Driving automation and scalability, reducing manual QA through robust frameworks and infrastructure-as-code approaches
• Coaching and mentoring engineers through pairing, code reviews, and promoting meaningful test coverage
• Ensuring reliability and security in mission-critical, data-driven systems that directly impact low-income families

This role is open to mid-level through to senior engineers — mindset, ownership, and motivation matter more than ticking every box.

What they’re looking for

• Experience with (or enthusiasm to learn) JavaScript / TypeScript, Node.js, React, and AWS (Lambda, Fargate, S3)
• Exposure to modern testing tools such as Cypress, Playwright, Mocha, or Chai
• A pragmatic, methodical approach to improving legacy systems while continuing to deliver value
• Strong communication skills and confidence collaborating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• A genuine interest in using technology to drive positive social impact

Why consider this opportunity?

• Meaningful impact – your work directly helps people access essential financial support
• Greenfield QA ownership as the first dedicated SDET
• Clear career progression as the engineering function scales
• Primarily remote (UK-based) with quarterly travel to London (fully paid for)
• Inclusive, supportive culture where people genuinely look out for one another
• The chance to shape QA in a purpose-driven organisation at an early stage

If you’re curious to learn more, feel free to apply or drop me a message for a confidential chat.