Senior Engineering Manager Test & Automation

About the Company

Smiths Detection, is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

About the Role

The Senior Engineering Manager - Test & Automation is responsible for leading and developing a high-performing Software Quality Assurance and Test Automation team through technical leadership, mentorship, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. This role drives the delivery of high-quality software solutions by defining and executing effective test strategies, automation frameworks, and engineering best practices. Working closely with product, engineering, and business stakeholders, the position ensures successful project execution, risk mitigation, and alignment with organizational objectives.

As per company policy, this role requires presence in the office 4 days per week.

Responsibilities

Leadership, Mentorship & Cultural Awareness

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of software test engineers, fostering professional growth and technical mastery.
• Conduct regular one-on-one sessions, performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback.
• Demonstrate strong communication, empathy, and active listening skills to build trust and cohesion within the team.
• Cultivate an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and working styles.
• Adapt leadership approaches to different cultural contexts, ensuring collaboration across global or cross-functional teams.
• Promote psychological safety, encouraging open dialogue, respectful debate, and constructive feedback.

Onboarding & Knowledge Transfer

• Drive effective onboarding processes for new team members, ensuring they quickly gain the technical and domain knowledge needed to contribute successfully.
• Establish and maintain clear documentation, coding standards, and best practices to support long-term team efficiency.
• Promote structured knowledge-sharing sessions, pair programming, and cross-training to reduce single points of failure and build resilience within the team.
• Foster a culture where expertise is openly shared, enabling smooth transitions when responsibilities shift and ensuring continuity across projects.
• Leads and develops employees through strong influential skills & using a performance management and development process that provides an overall context and framework to engage employee contribution with goal setting, feedback, and performance development planning.
• Collaborates with Human Resources to build and develop capabilities, reduce single points of failure, depth, and diverse team to deliver against the product and technical roadmaps.
• Leverage resource capacity including assignments, training, leave management, telecommuting and administers continuous performance review program to ensure effectiveness, compliance, and equity within the organization.

Technical Ownership & Project Delivery

• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of software solutions.
• Ensure adherence to coding standards, best practices, and architectural guidelines.
• Participate in reviews and contribute to hands-on development when needed.
• Collaborate with product managers, product owners, designers, and stakeholders to define requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Manage sprint planning, task allocation, and delivery timelines.
• Identify risks, resolve blockers, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.
• Strive for 100% say-do ratio, meaning we deliver on our commitments.
• Owner of technical competencies within assigned area and facilitator/promoter to ensure these technologies are leveraged across the wider organization.
• Suggests and supports changes to systems, tools and processes to optimize overall business performance.
• Participates in strategic planning process for the relevant product.
• Works with Service to implement service concepts and requirements into new designs, technology and development.
• Works with Quality to ensure product quality during design and production.
• Collaborates closely with product line teams to transfer digital technologies from development into the new product introduction process.
• Adheres to the digital development process as well as the product lifecycle process whilst also actively driving improvements for best practice.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Drive process adherence, improvements, automation, and efficiency within the team.
• Champion a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Troubleshooting & Problem Solving

• Act as the escalation point for complex technical issues, guiding the team in diagnosing and resolving problems efficiently.
• Apply and teach structured problem-solving techniques to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Encourage a proactive mindset within the team, ensuring potential issues are anticipated and mitigated before they impact delivery.
• Balance short-term fixes with long-term improvements to maintain system stability and scalability.
• Think solutions rather than problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in software quality assurance, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong proficiency in testing methodologies, test management and automation tools.
• Certificate of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management advantageous.
• Solid understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and agile methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to balance technical depth with strategic leadership.
• Significant progressive experience in product development and engineering. Prior experience with system integration and/or as an architect in multiple software/system projects.
• Knowledgeable in program management; hardware, software & product design development activities including advanced process & development technology.
• Understanding of technical challenges within key markets digital preferred.
• Effective communicator and leader, makes commitments and delivers on promises.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures.