OverviewWaracle are looking for a Lead QA Engineer for an exciting role joining our world-class digital technology consultancy and home to a diverse, smart, curious and ambitious community of specialists in technology-driven transformation. We work with ambitious clients to help them solve their biggest business and customer challenges. We help our clients innovate and create intelligent digital products and services, delivering complex IT transformation projects from strategy through design and delivery to operations. This is a hybrid role working from our Dundee or Glasgow offices 2 days a week.The Lead QA is a pivotal role for a highly experienced QA professional who embodies technical mastery, strategic thinking, and a passion for elevating quality. As a Lead, you will be accountable for project-level outcomes and will empower your team to succeed by enabling best practices across the entire software development process. You will be a cornerstone of our project teams and a leader within our QA practice, coaching peers, defining strategic approaches, and championing a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.ResponsibilitiesShape and execute comprehensive test strategies across squads, ensuring robust coverage and clarity on priorities.Facilitate risk workshops, manage dependencies, and apply expert knowledge of SDLC and Agile principles to coach peers and influence the team's direction.Define the automation strategy for your squad, optimizing for speed and reliability, including creating or extending automation frameworks for web and mobile (iOS/Android) and defining quality gates within CI/CD pipelines.Lead and evolve best practices in defect management, participate in or lead triage efforts, and enforce traceability standards. Proactively anticipate and resolve blockers, ensuring clarity of expectations within and outside the team.Mentor peers and junior engineers, providing coaching on best practices and creating a safe space for collaboration and continuous learning.Drive collaboration with clients and delivery teams, delegating effectively to empower others and ensure shared understanding and accountability.Proactively suggest and integrate new testing tools with a keen eye on emerging trends. Develop a deep understanding of project domains and exhibit evangelist qualities by speaking at industry events.RequirementsExtensive experience as a QA Engineer, with a proven track record in a lead or senior capacity, ideally within a digital consultancy.Comprehensive expertise in QA best practices, standards, and methodologies (SDLC, Agile).Proven technical mastery in functional, non-functional, and white-box testing.Advanced automation skills with modern frameworks (e.g., Playwright, Cypress, Appium) and the ability to define squad-level automation strategy.Proficiency with Git and experience defining and integrating quality gates into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions).Exceptional leadership and mentorship abilities, with a track record of delegating effectively, holding teams accountable, and creating an inclusive environment for growth.Strategic mindset demonstrated through defining test strategies that balance speed, quality, and risk, while managing client expectations around scope and priorities.Experience owning key client relationships, advising stakeholders proactively, and managing tensions constructively to build trusted partnerships.Recruitment ProcessThe recruitment process for this role typically includes an initial call with a dedicated Talent Acquisition Partner, followed by a two-stage interview process where you can learn more about the role and showcase your skills and experience. Your Talent Acquisition Partner will guide you through the process to your first day.Our BenefitsWe believe in supporting our team, inside and outside of work. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:Rest & Recharge: 27 days of annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays, totaling 35 days of holiday.Financial Future & Security: Company-matched 5% pension contribution and Death in Service benefit of 2 x annual salary.Health & Wellness: Medicash Health Cash Plans, Employee Assistance Programme, and Group Sickness Cover.Flexible Working: Hybrid working with a home office setup budget.Learning & Development: Access to Udemy Business and a dedicated learning budget for continuous growth.Lifestyle Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and exclusive gym and retail discounts.Family First: Enhanced parental leave policies, including support for fertility journeys.Community & Connection: Regular meet-ups and lunch in the office once a month, plus involvement in Spirit of Waracle for charitable causes locally.We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. #J-18808-Ljbffr