Head of QA Engineering

Ford Motor Company; Basildon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000

Job description

As our Head of QA Engineering, you'll be the driving force behind testing excellence. You'll actively participate in the design and implementation of cutting-edge testing solutions, tackling complex technical challenges head-on. You'll mentor and inspire a team of talented software engineers and QA professionals, fostering a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and industry-leading best practices. Your strategic vision will guide our testing roadmap, ensuring we consistently deliver high-quality, scalable, and performant software applications within the highly regulated financial services landscape. You'll also collaborate closely with senior leadership and the Chief Technology Officer, influencing strategic testing directions and decisions that impact the entire organization. This role demands a deep understanding of the unique challenges and regulatory requirements of the financial sector.

You're a natural leader, equally adept at hands-on technical work and strategic planning. You thrive on solving complex problems, demonstrating creativity and innovation in your approach. You're not just technically proficient; you're a respected mentor and role model, empowering your team to reach their full potential. You possess exceptional communication skills, enabling you to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders, from engineers to senior executives. Crucially, you bring a proven understanding of the financial services industry, its regulatory landscape, and its unique technological challenges.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience with a Master's or PhD.
• Extensive hands-on experience in software testing and quality assurance within the financial services industry (automotive lending or banking/finance preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor both technically and strategically.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strategic thinker with a proven track record of achieving long-term quality goals in a regulated environment.

Education is important to us; ideally, you’ll have a degree, but if that’s not the case and you have extensive experience/skills you feel are relevant and beneficial to the role, we are open to discussing your suitability.

If you are concerned about applying due to disability, please contact us; we’re an inclusive team and would like to discuss what adjustments we can make to support your application.

Note: Banking and Compliance training including fair treatment of customers is mandatory for all FCE employees. Necessary training will be given to any successful candidates that require it.

Ford is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of gender, marital status, civil partnership status, parental status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief, gender reassignment and gender identity, age and those with caring responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Deep technical proficiency: You possess extensive hands-on experience in software testing and quality assurance, including designing and implementing test strategies, guidelines, policies, and processes. Proficiency in test automation, CI/CD tools (like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Tekton), and various programming languages (Java, Kotlin, Python, JavaScript) is essential. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), SQL and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB), and frameworks (Spring Boot, React, Angular) is highly valued.

Strategic leadership: You have a proven track record of developing and executing strategic roadmaps for testing initiatives. You can translate high-level strategies into actionable plans, managing resources, timelines, and budgets effectively.

Exceptional communication: You can clearly articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, influencing decisions at all levels of the organization.

Mentorship and team leadership: You're passionate about developing talent, providing guidance and support to your team members, and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Financial Services Expertise: You possess significant experience working within the automotive lending or banking and finance sectors, demonstrating a strong understanding of relevant regulations, compliance requirements, and industry best practices.