Principal Test Engineer

Team – Vitality Applications

Working Pattern - Hybrid – 2 days per week in any Vitality Office. Full time hours.

• Expertise in Test Automation and Framework Engineering and AI‑augmented testing
• Leadership and Strategic Influence
• Multi-Specialism Technical Expertise

What this role is all about:

Key Actions

• Implement the software test lifecycle: Own and continuously refine the full software test lifecycle, from analysis and design through execution and reporting. You’ll champion automation‑first and AI‑assisted testing approaches that are scalable, efficient, and embedded from the earliest stages of delivery.

•  Recognised technical authority: Act as a trusted technical leader for advanced automation, modern testing, and emerging AI‑enabled quality practices. You’ll set direction, unblock complex challenges, and raise the bar for engineering excellence across teams.

•  Adhere to testing standards: Champion Vitality’s Group test strategy, embedding progressive engineering standards while evolving our approach to incorporate intelligent tooling and smart analytics where they add value.

• Subject matter expert in standards: Serve as the SME for testing standards across Vitality. You’ll lead the adoption of best‑in‑class frameworks, patterns, and tooling, ensuring consistency, maintainability, and continuous improvement — including experimentation with AI where appropriate.

• Engage stakeholders: Work closely with architects, developers, UX designers, product owners, analysts, and delivery leads. You’ll translate complex requirements into robust test strategies, ensuring quality and AI‑enabled insight are tightly aligned to business outcomes. 

•  Build and transfer knowledge: Invest in your own growth through hands‑on learning, mentoring, and exposure to AI engineering capabilities within the business. You’ll coach and inspire engineers, helping to build a high‑performing automation and quality community.
  
  
•  Specialist expertise: Bring deep expertise in two testing specialisms (including automation), while continuing to develop capability in a third. You’ll also have the opportunity to broaden your skill set into AI‑supported testing and quality engineering over time.

•  Collaborate within and across teams: Work collaboratively across squads, sharing knowledge, aligning on best practices, and delivering reliable, scalable solutions at pace.

• AI powered testing automation: Encourage appropriate and ethical use of AI-Powered Test Tools ensuring ethical and secure use of AI , staying informed over emerging AI capabilities & best practices. Ensuring AI enhances your role without compromising accountability, quality and trust.

What do you need to thrive?

• 6+ Years of hands-on Automation Testing experience with extensive knowledge of C#, Java & Selenium.
• Bring a strong capability across at least two areas (such as test automation and a relevant coding language), with a curiosity to keep learning and growing alongside the team.
• Proven experience in shaping and sharing non-functional testing approaches & working closely with others to raise quality across the board.
• Strong experience in API test automation, including scenario design, data setup, and validation
• Experience with synthetic test data management and orchestration, supporting teams to deliver reliable, scalable solutions together.
• Proven ability to lead test teams and coach developing engineers
• Strong communication skills to influence and collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders
• Curiosity and appetite to learn and apply AI engineering concepts within a quality and automation context

We're really excited to announce that we have recently been awarded "Top 10 Best Places To Work" in The Sunday Times Awards 2024!

Vitality is a multi-award-winning UK insurance brand, here to make the world a healthier, happier place.

We’ve been a purpose and values-driven business from day 1- long before it became fashionable. Our core purpose is to make people healthier and enhance protect their lives. Vitality pioneered shared-value insurance. We incentivise people to live healthier longer lives – they benefit, our business benefits, and society benefits. We’re successful because we attract, develop, and retain the best people – and because we care.

At Vitality, we’re committed to diversity and inclusion because it’s good for our employees, for our business, and for society. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Vitality’s approach to sustainability

Vitality is a business that drives positive change. We reward people for making and sustaining healthier choices. But healthy people also need a healthy environment. To learn more please visit our Careers page. #LI-Hybrid

If we are fortunate in receiving a high volume of quality applications we may need to close this vacancy early. If you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible.