Test Automation Engineer III

To serve as a senior technical specialist in test automation, architecting and driving the implementation of scalable, enterprise-grade automation solutions across multiple product lines and complex systems.

To define automation strategy and standards, evaluate and introduce cutting-edge tools and frameworks and act as the technical authority on automation best practices, mentoring and developing automation engineers across the team, ensuring consistent quality and technical excellence in all automation deliverables.

What you'll do:

• 1. Automation Architecture and Strategy
  • Architect and design enterprise-level test automation frameworks that are scalable, maintainable, and reusable across product lines
  • Define and drive the automation strategy in alignment with organisational goals and technology roadmaps
  • Evaluate, recommend, and implement new automation tools, technologies, and methodologies
  • Evaluate and define the mobile app automation toolchain (e.g. Appium, WebdriverIO, cloud device farms such as BrowserStack) as part of the overall automation strategy, ensuring native/mobile testing is architected with the same rigor as web/API automation
  • Establish coding standards, design patterns, and best practices for all automation development
  • Drive the adoption of shift-left testing practices and integration of automation into CI/CD pipelines
  • Conduct proof-of-concepts for emerging automation technologies and present findings to leadership
• 2. Advanced Automation Development and Optimisation
  • Develop and maintain complex automation solutions for critical business systems
  • Optimise existing automation frameworks for performance, reliability, and execution speed
  • Implement advanced testing patterns: parallel execution, containerised testing, cloud-based test infrastructure
  • Design and implement comprehensive API and service-level automation testing strategies
  • Architect and maintain native mobile app automation solutions across iOS and Android using Appium-based frameworks integrated with WebdriverIO, including cross-platform device/gesture handling and app-specific quirks (deep links, biometrics, OTP/push flows, app state resets)
  • Design and manage cloud-based device testing strategy (e.g. BrowserStack device farms), including parallel multi-device execution, device/OS coverage matrices, and real-device vs. simulator/emulator trade-offs
  • Drive test data management strategies and implement automated data provisioning
  • Ensure automation solutions integrate seamlessly with version control, CI/CD, and reporting tools
  • Conduct code reviews of automation scripts ensuring quality and adherence to standards
• 3. Quality Metrics and Reporting
  • Define, implement and track automation coverage metrics and KPIs
  • Develop automated reporting dashboards for test execution, coverage and defect trends
  • Analyse test results to identify systemic quality issues and recommend preventive measures
  • Report on automation ROI and efficiency gains to senior stakeholders
  • Drive continuous improvement through data-driven decision making
• 4. Technical Leadership and Mentorship
  • Serve as the technical authority and escalation point for complex automation challenges
  • Mentor and develop Level I and Level II automation engineers
  • Conduct technical training sessions and knowledge-sharing workshops
  • Participate in hiring and technical assessment of automation candidates
  • Collaborate with development leads and architects on testability requirements
  • Represent the automation function in cross-team technical forums and architecture reviews
• 5. Defect Prevention and Process Excellence
  • Drive defect prevention strategies through root cause analysis and trend identification
  • Implement automated quality gates in CI/CD pipelines
  • Define and enforce test automation standards across teams
  • Collaborate with development teams on improving software testability and quality
  • Lead post-mortem analysis of production defects that escaped automation
  • Perform manual testing when required

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field plus Test Automation Certification
• Relevant certifications such as AWS and DevOps Certification

• 5-8 years' hands-on experience in automation testing, including designing and implementing automation frameworks at scale
• Experience developing advanced automated test solutions across complex systems
• Experience architecting and scaling native mobile app automation frameworks (Appium, WebdriverIO) across iOS and Android, including cloud device farm strategy (e.g. BrowserStack)
• Advanced analytical skills
• Communication skills (technical and non-technical audiences)
• Experience working with data-driven and integrated systems, including databases and event-driven environments
• Interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Experience implementing and optimising CI/CD pipelines and automated testing within delivery workflows
• Numerical reasoning skills
• Experience with API and service-level testing in distributed architectures
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Experience designing and executing non-functional testing (e.g. performance, resilience)
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Experience managing and provisioning test data in complex environments and working within cloud-based and containerised environments
• Negotiation skills
• Experience mentoring and developing automation engineers
• Strategic thinking
• Technical leadership
• Advanced knowledge of automation frameworks, patterns, and scalable design practices
• Strong understanding of programming/scripting concepts for test automation
• Knowledge of mobile app testing considerations: platform fragmentation (iOS/Android/Harmony OS), device/OS version coverage, native app lifecycle and permissions, and mobile CI/CD app build/distribution pipelines
• Deep understanding of data management, database concepts, and validation techniques
• Strong knowledge of system integration, APIs, and event-driven architectures
• Knowledge of cloud platforms and distributed system design principles
• Understanding of CI/CD practices and DevOps principles
• Knowledge of performance, load, and non-functional testing concepts
• Understanding of test data strategies and environment management
• Knowledge of quality engineering principles, standards, and best practices

Other information applicable to the opportunity:

• Contract position
• Location: Stellenbosch

Why work for us?

Want to work for an organization that solves complex real-world problems with innovative software solutions? At iOCO, we believe anything is possible with modern technology, software, and development expertise. We are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovative solutions across multiple industries using an array of technologies.?

You will be part of a consultancy, working with some of the most knowledgeable minds in the industry on interesting solutions across different business domains.?

Our culture of continuous learning will ensure that you will have all the opportunities, tools, and support to hone and grow your craft.?

By joining IOCO you will have an open invitation to developer inspiring forums. A place where you will be able to connect and learn from and with your peers by sharing ideas, experiences, practices, and solutions.?

iOCO is an equal opportunity employer with an obligation to achieve its own unique EE objectives in the context of Employment Equity targets. Therefore, our employment strategy gives primary preference to previously disadvantaged individuals or groups