Lead Test Automation Engineer - Join One of NI's Most Forward-Thinking Tech Teams Are you ready to own the automation testing strategy at a company that truly values quality engineering? Want to manage and mentor a global QA function while shaping the future of test tooling and frameworks? How about leading greenfield automation initiatives that you design and implement from scratch? The Role You'll join a modern, delivery-focused engineering team as their Lead Test Automation Engineer. You'll take full ownership of the company-wide testing strategy - building frameworks, selecting tools, and mentoring both local and offshore QA engineers. This is a greenfield opportunity where the current stack includes TypeScript and Playwright, but you'll have the autonomy to define and introduce new technologies as the team scales. You'll work cross-functionally with engineering, product, and infrastructure to embed testability into everything they do. What's In It For You? Very competitive salary 15% bonus 30 days annual leave + 6 stats Private medical, dental & optical cover (for you and your family) Flexible hybrid working (1-3 days in office, no mandated days) Pension plan Enhanced parental leave Online learning platforms and engineering certification programmes High-trust, autonomous culture with a focus on engineering excellence One of the best retention rates in the NI tech scene Technical Skills Required 8+ years' experience in software engineering or QA automation Strong coding skills in a modern language (e.g. TypeScript, Java, Python) Hands-on experience with UI and API test tools (e.g. Playwright, Cypress, Postman, Selenium) Proven experience leading test strategy and automation initiatives Strong CI/CD pipeline integration knowledge Experience managing or mentoring QA teams Deep understanding of software testing principles and lifecycle A third-level degree in a related IT or Computer Science field Bonus Points For Experience with performance/load testing tools (e.g. k6, JMeter) Familiarity with cloud-based test environments (AWS preferred) Knowledge of observability tools (e.g. Datadog, Grafana) Background in test data strategy and test isolation techniques Contributions to internal or open-source test frameworks Experience building quality-first engineering cultures About You You're a great fit if: You want to step up into a role where you set the testing direction for the org You enjoy mentoring teams and building scalable frameworks from scratch You've worked with distributed or offshore teams and know how to lead remotely You're passionate about using the right tool for the job - and excited to help pick them Why People Join This is a company where engineers are trusted to do what's right - no micromanagement, no red tape. With zero redundancies, strong product-market fit, and one of the best team retention rates in Belfast, it's the ideal place to take the next step in your QA leadership career. Skills: Lead QA Automation Playwright Benefits: Work From Home