Test Automaton Engineer
Test Automation Engineer
Location: Farnborough, UK
Security Clearance Level: DV
UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL
Leidos is seeking a Test Automation Engineer to join its UK team in the Farnborough area. The role will support the delivery of secure, reliable technical solutions through a combination of manual testing, Python-based test automation, AWS and database expertise. The successful candidate will be a seasoned technical individual contributor who is fully proficient in applying testing principles, theories and concepts, and who can work independently on technically difficult or unclear problems.
Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people and our community. Our mission and our values guide the way we do business. The foundation of our Leidos culture is our Values, Beliefs and Expectations by which we select, recognise and reward employees. They create the environment that drives us toward our mission.
Inspired to make a difference, we are committed to solving the world’s toughest problems.
Are you ready for your next challenge?
Come join our team and further develop your skills as we deliver and support systems key to the defence of the UK and partner nations. Being part of the Leidos team is a commitment to push yourself and those around you to do better, constantly adapt and learn new technologies. We’re a passionate team and are committed to developing and growing our staff. Leidos is a global science and technology solutions leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in defence, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 33,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers.
Your Key Role and Responsibilities
Define, develop, execute and maintain manual and automated test approaches across functional, integration, system and regression testing.
Design and implement scalable Python test automation frameworks, reusable libraries and supporting utilities.
Test AWS-hosted services and applications, including interfaces, data flows, permissions, logging and operational behaviour.
Plan and perform security testing against applicable CIS Security Controls and Safeguards, confirming that required controls are implemented, configured correctly and supported by suitable evidence.
Assess security controls across AWS, applications, databases and supporting infrastructure, including secure configuration, identity and access management, vulnerability management, audit logging, data protection, network monitoring and application security.
Document security test plans, control-to-test traceability, findings, evidence, residual risks and remediation recommendations, and verify corrective actions through retesting.
Validate relational and/or non-relational databases through data interrogation, reconciliation, integrity checks and backend testing.
Analyse requirements, designs and acceptance criteria to determine test coverage, traceability and risk-based priorities.
Investigate failures, identify root causes, record high-quality defects and collaborate with engineering teams through resolution and retest.
Produce clear test plans, test cases, automation assets, evidence, results and completion reports.
Support estimation, planning, technical reviews and continuous improvement of test practices, tooling and quality controls.
Provide technical guidance, coaching and constructive review to less experienced technical staff.
Communicate technical findings, risks and recommendations to internal stakeholders, project leaders and client team members.
Your skills and experience
Strong practical experience of manual testing, including test analysis, design, execution, defect management and reporting.
Proven experience creating and maintaining automated tests using Python.
Hands-on experience testing applications or services hosted in AWS.
Practical security testing experience focused on assessing CIS Security Controls and Safeguards, including the ability to translate control requirements into measurable test cases and evidence-based findings.
Experience testing security controls within cloud and hybrid environments, with particular attention to secure configuration, access control, logging, vulnerability management, data protection and application security.
Strong database testing skills, including the use of SQL for data validation and fault investigation.
Ability to develop solutions to difficult or unclear technical testing problems through deep analysis and collaboration with internal experts.
Deep understanding of software testing principles, test techniques, quality risks and the software development lifecycle.
Broad awareness of related engineering disciplines, including software development, infrastructure, security and deployment practices.
Experience working independently and taking ownership of complete testing projects or processes within a technical area.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence project and team leaders on test design, process and technical approach.
Desirable Skills
Experience integrating automated tests into continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Experience using Selenium for browser-based test automation.
Proficiency with Git-based version control, branching, pull requests and peer review.
Experience with API testing, test doubles, service virtualisation or performance testing.
Familiarity with containerised environments and infrastructure-as-code delivery practices.
Experience working within Agile delivery teams.
Career-Level Requirements
Operate as a seasoned technical individual contributor, fully proficient in applying technical principles, theories and concepts within the testing discipline.
Work independently to deliver objectives that have a significant impact on operational results or project deliverables.
Take responsibility for entire projects or processes within the assigned technical testing area.
Develop solutions to technical issues that are difficult, unclear and dependent on deep technical knowledge.
Collaborate with internal experts and consider the impact of testing solutions on the end product or service.
Communicate effectively with internal and client project team members.
Influence project and team leaders regarding solution design, processes and technical approaches.
Demonstrate a deep understanding of the technical testing domain and a broad understanding of related specialist areas.
Coach and review the work of lower-level technical staff where required.
Education and Experience
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology or a related technical discipline, with relevant experience; or a master’s degree of relevant experience. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered.
Clearance and Location
Employment type: Full time, permanent.
Location: Farnborough, United Kingdom.
Dynamic working: This is a hybrid role requiring onsite attendance in Farnborough for a minimum of three days per week. Additional onsite attendance may be required to meet customer, programme or security needs.
Clearance: This role requires UK Developed Vetting (DV). Applicants must hold, or be eligible and willing to obtain and maintain, DV clearance for the duration of the role. Appointment and continued employment are subject to satisfying the applicable vetting requirements.
At Leidos, everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, employees and communities. This role offers the opportunity to apply modern testing practices to complex technical challenges and contribute to solutions that support a safer United Kingdom.
Are you ready to make an impact? Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career, share your CV with us today!
What we do for you:
At Leidos we are PASSIONATE about customer success, UNITED as a team and INSPIRED to make a difference. We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.
We provide an employment package that attracts, develops and retains only the best in talent. Our reward scheme includes:
Contributory Pension Scheme
Private Medical Insurance
33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
Flexi-TIme
Commitment to Diversity:
We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.
Who We Are:
Leidos UK & EUROPE - we work to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering and science.
Leidos is a growing company delivering innovative technology and solutions focused on safeguarding critical capabilities and transformation in frontline services, our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety and security, and transportation.
What Makes Us Different:
Purpose: you can use your passion and abilities at Leidos to keep the people you care about safe. We are at the forefront of machine learning, AI, cyber security and solutions. Using your skills in the technology frontline by helping to build a safer world. You can inspire change.
Collaboration: having flexibility to do your job is one of our core benefits, enabling you to become part of our extraordinary team. We have been empowering our people to work flexibly for years. Whether you work from home, the office or on customer sites, we will give you the digital tools and the flexibility to work smarter and align your needs and ours.
People: Leidos empowers people from every background to be themselves and gives you the tools to learn new skills by enabling growth whilst developing. We believe that extraordinary people need opportunities to grow, to be inspired and to inspire others. At Leidos, we invest in technical academies, career rotations and a career development plans that enhance your future.
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
£44,700.00-£57,300.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.