Lead Test Engineer

Lead Test Engineer * £450 per day * Outside IR35 * 6-month contract (initially) * Remote working (UK-based) Skills and Experience: * Proven experience as a Test Lead, QA Lead, or Senior Test Engineer in agile delivery environments * Strong track record of defining and executing test strategies in fast-paced, pre-production settings * Hands-on expertise in automated testing, with strong preference for Playwright * Extensive experience in integration testing, API testing and system validation * Practical knowledge of application security testing, including OWASP principles and security scanning tools * Experience testing AI and machine learning products * Strong understanding of modern software development and CI/CD practices * Knowledge of accessibility testing and inclusive design principles * Familiarity with WCAG 2.2 standards * Experience using accessibility testing tools such as axe, WAVE or similar * Opportunity to work on genuinely innovative AI/ML products Role and Responsibilities: * Define, implement and execute a comprehensive test strategy for complex digital products * Take ownership of the full end-to-end testing lifecycle across pre-production environments * Lead integration testing across multiple systems, services and APIs * Design and deliver robust automated end-to-end test coverage, ideally using Playwright * Implement and manage security testing and vulnerability scanning, including OWASP-aligned practices * Validate the quality, reliability and performance of AI/ML-driven products * Develop appropriate test frameworks for non-deterministic outputs and evolving model behaviour * Establish clear evaluation criteria and quality benchmarks for AI-generated outputs * Work closely with Product, Engineering and Data Science teams to refine requirements and improve testability * Ensure testing aligns with aggressive delivery schedules without compromising quality The Opportunity: We’re seeking a Lead Test Engineer to join a leading consultancy supporting a major UK Government programme, working on meaningful digital projects (Government Digital Services – GDS) that directly impact public services across the UK. You’ll design, execute and document test cases, collaborating closely with developers, business analysts and delivery teams to drive continuous improvement and excellence in delivery. We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Test Engineer Lead to join an innovative technology organisation delivering cutting-edge AI and machine learning products. You will take full ownership of the testing strategy across pre-production environments, ensuring high-quality, secure and reliable product releases. This role will suit an accomplished test professional who combines strategic oversight with strong technical execution. You’ll be working within an agile, cross-functional team to ensure the quality, reliability and performance of critical services. If you are a technically strong, hands-on Test Lead with experience in AI/ML product testing, we would be keen to hear from you. NB: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic level of security clearance before undertaking the assignment (two weeks’ lead-time). Applications: Please contact Edward Laing here at ISR to learn more about our client and how they are leading the way in developing the next generation of technical solutions through innovation and transformational technology??