System Test Lead

We’re working with a fast-growing engineering company that builds complex, integrated systems combining software, hardware and multiple sensor technologies. They’re looking for a System Test Lead to own system testing end-to-end, from strategy through to hands-on execution.

The Role

This is a genuine lead-level position. You won’t be inheriting an existing test approach, you’ll build the strategy, baseline protocol and automation from the ground up, starting by writing and running the first tests personally before growing a team around the work.

You’ll be testing a full system in both lab and field conditions. The direction is towards a mature automation cadence (smoke tests, overnight runs, multi-day soak tests) with results feeding directly into release decisions.

There’s a clear path to building and leading a small test team as the function scales, while staying hands-on with the tools and the testing itself.

What You’ll Do

• Set the test strategy and roadmap, derived from what the product needs to deliver
• Build and run integrated hardware/software tests, including real sensors and physical infrastructure
• Develop test automation personally (Python-based stack) until a team is in place to share it
• Grow the automated test estate towards a regular, evidence-producing cadence
• Report test results, risk and readiness clearly to engineering and product leadership
• Recruit, lead and develop a small test team as the role scales

What We’re Looking For

• A demonstrable track record of building and shipping test automation, harnesses and protocols personally
• Strong "tests as code" experience: UI automation, integration testing, scripting and environment setup
• Solid understanding of how software systems are built (services, messaging, data layers, failure modes)
• Experience shaping test strategy from product/business requirements
• Experience leading a small technical team while remaining hands-on
• Confident Linux user, comfortable working with containerised environments (Docker or similar)
• Experience testing integrated hardware and software, including physical/real-world equipment
• Clear communicator, able to present technical evidence to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience with Python and behaviour-driven test frameworks (e.g. Behave)
• Experience with test reporting/observability tooling (e.g. Allure)
• Full UK driving licence