Test Automation (Farnborough).

• Location: Farnborough 3-4 days a week on site.
• Hours: 37.5 per week
• Duration of contract: 4-6 months
• Rate: Negotiable depending on experience
• IR35: Inside
• Clearance Required: Clearance to Start: DV

Top 3:

• Python Test Automation experience
• AWS Testing Experience
• Security Testing experience

The company are seeking a mid level Test Automation Engineer to join its UK team in the Farnborough area on an initial four-month contractor engagement. The role will support the delivery of secure, reliable technical solutions through a combination of manual testing, Python-based test automation, AWS, database and security-testing expertise. The successful contractor will be a seasoned technical individual contributor who is fully proficient in applying testing principles, theories and concepts, can become productive quickly, and can work independently on technically difficult or unclear problems within a time-bound assignment.

What You Will Be Doing

• Define, develop, execute and maintain manual and automated test approaches across functional, integration, system and regression testing.
• Design and implement scalable Python test automation frameworks, reusable libraries and supporting utilities.
• Test AWS-hosted services and applications, including interfaces, data flows, permissions, logging and operational behaviour.
• Plan and perform security testing against applicable CIS Security Controls and Safeguards, confirming that required controls are implemented, configured correctly and supported by suitable evidence.
• Assess security controls across AWS, applications, databases and supporting infrastructure, including secure configuration, identity and access management, vulnerability management, audit logging, data protection, network monitoring and application security.
• Document security test plans, control-to-test traceability, findings, evidence, residual risks and remediation recommendations, and verify corrective actions through retesting.
• Validate relational and/or non-relational databases through data interrogation, reconciliation, integrity checks and backend testing.
• Analyse requirements, designs and acceptance criteria to determine test coverage, traceability and risk-based priorities.
• Investigate failures, identify root causes, record high-quality defects and collaborate with engineering teams through resolution and retest.
• Produce clear test plans, test cases, automation assets, evidence, results and completion reports.
• Support estimation, planning, technical reviews and continuous improvement of test practices, tooling and quality controls.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching and constructive review to less experienced technical staff.
• Communicate technical findings, risks and recommendations to internal stakeholders, project leaders and client team members.

What We Are Looking For

• Strong practical experience of manual testing, including test analysis, design, execution, defect management and reporting.
• Proven experience creating and maintaining automated tests using Python.
• Hands-on experience testing applications or services hosted in AWS.
• Practical security testing experience focused on assessing CIS Security Controls and Safeguards, including the ability to translate control requirements into measurable test cases and evidence-based findings.
• Experience testing security controls within cloud and hybrid environments, with particular attention to secure configuration, access control, logging, vulnerability management, data protection and application security.
• Strong database testing skills, including the use of SQL for data validation and fault investigation.
• Ability to develop solutions to difficult or unclear technical testing problems through deep analysis and collaboration with internal experts.
• Deep understanding of software testing principles, test techniques, quality risks and the software development lifecycle.
• Broad awareness of related engineering disciplines, including software development, infrastructure, security and deployment practices.
• Experience working independently and taking ownership of complete testing projects or processes within a technical area.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence project and team leaders on test design, process and technical approach.

Desirable Skills

• Experience integrating automated tests into continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Experience using Selenium for browser-based test automation.
• Proficiency with Git-based version control, branching, pull requests and peer review.
• Experience with API testing, test doubles, service virtualisation or performance testing.
• Familiarity with containerised environments and infrastructure-as-code delivery practices.
• Experience working within Agile delivery teams.

Level Requirements

• Operate as a seasoned technical individual contributor, fully proficient in applying technical principles, theories and concepts within the testing discipline.
• Work independently to deliver objectives that have a significant impact on operational results or project deliverables.
• Take responsibility for entire projects or processes within the assigned technical testing area.
• Develop solutions to technical issues that are difficult, unclear and dependent on deep technical knowledge.
• Collaborate with internal experts and consider the impact of testing solutions on the end product or service.
• Communicate effectively with internal and client project team members.
• Influence project and team leaders regarding solution design, processes and technical approaches.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the technical testing domain and a broad understanding of related specialist areas.
• Coach and review the work of lower-level technical staff where required.