Principal QA Engineer

Cecilian Partners, Inc.

. Define programme-level/value-stream Quality Engineering strategies aligned to business objectives .

Posted 10/2/2026full-timeEdinburgh • United KingdomLead💰 £70,800 - £106,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in defining and implementing Quality Engineering strategies, focusing on automation-first testing approaches and AI-enabled testing solutions. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement in quality metrics across multiple technology domains.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Quality Engineering Strategy DevelopmentAutomation-First Testing ApproachesCI/CD Pipeline ImplementationAI-Enabled Testing SolutionsAgile and DevOps Methodologies

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Quality AssuranceTest Automation FrameworksPerformance TestingSecurity TestingNon-Functional AssuranceContinuous Testing SolutionsTechnical Quality GatesQuality Metrics EstablishmentRisk ManagementPredictive Testing Capabilities

Soft Skills

LeadershipMentoringStakeholder InfluenceCross-Functional CollaborationTeam Development

Tools & Technologies

Cloud-Based Testing ToolsCI/CD ToolsAI Testing ToolsDevOps SolutionsQuality Engineering Tools

Industry Keywords

Financial ServicesRegulated IndustriesAgileDevOpsContinuous DeliveryTDDBDD

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define programme-level/value-stream Quality Engineering strategies aligned to business objectives
Establish technical quality governance, reporting and assurance frameworks
Define, implement and govern technical quality gates
Ensure compliance with Definition of Ready and Definition of Done
Lead and govern technical testing for automation, non-functional requirements validation and release readiness
Drive proactive identification of technical, delivery and operational risks
Define and drive automation and AI testing strategies using automation-first delivery models
Ensure automated testing forms part of all CI/CD pipelines
Promote ownership of quality across delivery teams
Establish quality metrics including coverage, deployment success and stability
Drive continuous improvement through engineering excellence and automation
Lead adoption of AI-enabled testing and govern test engineering practices
Act as technical quality representative for strategic technology initiatives
Manage relationships across internal teams, suppliers and delivery partners
Shape and evolve the organisation's Quality Engineering strategy
Mentor, manage and develop team members
Provide end-to-end Quality Engineering leadership across multiple delivery teams, products and technology domains
Oversee implementation of Quality Engineering and DevOps solutions from inception through production operation

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proven experience defining and driving Quality Engineering strategies across large-scale technology environments
Experience influencing and leading cross-functional teams without direct line management authority
Experience delivering automation-first testing approaches, CI/CD pipelines and modern Quality Engineering practices
Experience establishing quality standards, technical quality gates and assurance frameworks, and managing technology delivery risks
Proven experience evaluating, implementing and governing AI-enabled testing solutions
Experience transforming testing and quality assurance practices within complex organisations
Experience leading QA, Testing or Quality Engineering teams and building high-performing functions
Experience designing and implementing test automation frameworks, cloud-based testing tools and continuous testing solutions
Experience in performance testing, security testing, observability and non-functional assurance
Proven experience applying AI-driven, predictive or intelligent testing capabilities
Experience working within Agile, DevOps, Continuous Delivery, TDD and BDD environments
Experience influencing stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, to embed quality-first principles
Experience leading QA Engineering functions across large-scale business and technology transformation programmes
Experience managing third-party suppliers and outsourced delivery partners
Experience operating within regulated industries, particularly Financial Services
Experience building, mentoring, developing and scaling QA Engineering teams
Experience with enterprise architecture principles and end-to-end software delivery lifecycles
Right to work in the UK
Satisfactory credit and criminal record checks and references

Benefits

Comp & perks

Enhanced pension scheme: employee contributes 3% and employer contributes 9%; contributions can be matched up to a combined total of 20% of salary (7% employee and 13% employer)
Discretionary bonus depending on personal and company performance
34 days leave per year including bank holidays, pro-rated for part-time
Private medical cover
Life assurance
Critical illness cover
Enhanced parental leave
Retail discount vouchers
Cycle2work scheme
Subsidised restaurant
Online GP appointments
Hybrid working model