Jobs in Sunderland, United Kingdom

Automation Tester

Activate Group

We are seeking a skilled Automation Tester to ensure the quality of our software products through comprehensive automated testing. This role focuses on building and maintaining test automation frameworks using Playwright, working closely with developers to ensure high-quality deliverables. The ideal candidate will have strong testing expertise and experience with modern automation tools.

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test suites using Playwright
• Create end-to-end tests for web applications built with React and .NET
• Implement cross-browser testing strategies (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Build API test automation for RESTful services
• Develop visual regression tests to catch UI changes
• Maintain and enhance the test automation framework
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps)
• Monitor and report on test execution results
• Debug failing tests and work with developers to resolve issues
• Implement performance testing for critical user journeys

• Participate in requirement reviews to ensure testability
• Create comprehensive test plans and test cases
• Perform exploratory testing on new features
• Validate bug fixes and verify resolved issues
• Ensure test coverage metrics meet team standards
• Review and test database operations and data integrity
• Test message queue implementations (RabbitMQ)

• Work closely with developers during sprint planning
• Provide early feedback on feature implementations
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and contribute to process improvements
• Document test strategies and maintain testing documentation
• Mentor team members on testing best practices
• Communicate test results and quality metrics to stakeholders

Note: While proficiency in the Core Technologies listed below is required, we recognize that candidates may not have experience with every technology in the Additional Technical Skills section. We’re looking for candidates who have experience with some of these technologies and are eager to learn others.

• Test Automation: Playwright – 2+ years experience
• Programming: JavaScript/TypeScript/C# for test development
• Web Technologies: Strong understanding of HTML, CSS, and web applications
• API Testing: Experience with REST API testing tools and techniques
• Version Control: Git proficiency

• End-to-end testing strategies
• Cross-browser testing
• Mobile responsive testing
• Visual regression testing
• Performance testing basics

• Accessibility testing knowledge
• Test data management

• Test environment configuration

• CI/CD integration experience, Azure DevOps preferred
• Basic understanding of .NET and React applications
• SQL knowledge for database validation
• Container testing with Docker
• Basic Kubernetes knowledge for testing deployed applications
• Observability tools for test monitoring
• Experience with test reporting tools
• AI-powered testing tools experience

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in finding and documenting issues
• Communication: Clear bug reporting and status communication
• Critical Thinking: Ability to think like a user and identify edge cases
• Collaboration: Works effectively with developers and product owners
• Problem-Solving: Analytical approach to debugging test failures
• Time Management: Balances automation development with testing needs
• Adaptability: Flexible with changing requirements and priorities

• Experience: 3-5 years in software testing with 2+ years in test automation
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

• Certifications: ISTQB or similar testing certifications are a plus

• Agile/Scrum experience required
• Shift-left testing approach
• Continuous testing in CI/CD pipelines
• Risk-based testing strategies

• Comprehensive Playwright test suite
• Automated regression test coverage
• Integration with Azure DevOps pipelines
• Test execution reports and metrics
• Performance test baselines
• Testing documentation and runbooks

• Primary: Playwright, JavaScript/TypeScript, VS Code
• Applications: React frontends, .NET APIs
• Databases: MySQL, MSSQL
• Infrastructure: Docker, Kubernetes, Azure
• CI/CD: Azure DevOps
• Messaging: RabbitMQ
• Search: Elasticsearch
• Monitoring: Application Insights, test analytics tools

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Personal health cash plan – claim back the cost of things like dentist and optical check ups
• Enhanced maternity / paternity / adoption / shared parental pay
• Life assurance: three times basic salary
• Free breakfasts and fruit
• Birthday surprise for everybody!

At Activate Group, looking after team members is a major priority. Whether you’re at our offices or working from home, we’ll support your success. We offer benefits that prioritize health and wellbeing, along with rewards like employee of the month, free fruit, and cereal.

Named by the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s 100 fastest-growing private companies, we employ over 700 team members nationwide. We support drivers involved in road incidents through our repair centers and network of independent partners. Our purpose is to make someone’s bad day better, guided by our values: Make it happen, Strive for better, Win together.

Expected salary and location: United Kingdom. Job posting date: Tue, 19 Aug 2025. Please indicate where you saw this job in your application.