Full job descriptionSenior Test Automation Engineer - CREST Settlement Systems
Location: Hybrid (8 days onsite per month)
Contract: 12 Months
Engagement: Inside IR35
Industry: Financial Services / Capital Markets
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Test Automation Engineer with strong experience across CREST settlement systems, test automation, and financial markets to join a leading financial services organisation.
Working within Agile delivery teams, you will play a key role in defining the overall testing strategy, designing and executing automated and manual test cases, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality software across business-critical settlement platforms.
This is an excellent opportunity to work on complex post-trade and securities settlement systems while collaborating with highly skilled engineering teams in a modern Agile environment.
Key Responsibilities
*Develop and own Test Strategies and recommend the most effective testing approach.
*Present testing strategies and approaches to technical and business stakeholders.
*Review functional and technical specifications to produce comprehensive test scenarios and test cases.
*Execute both manual and automated testing across multiple applications.
*Perform peer reviews of test artefacts to ensure quality standards are maintained.
*Manage defects throughout the testing lifecycle, including investigation, analysis and defect triage.
*Work collaboratively across multiple Agile squads and distributed teams.
*Provide regular progress updates and manage stakeholder expectations throughout delivery.
*Ensure high-quality testing deliverables are produced in line with agreed standards.
*Contribute to sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives and other Agile ceremonies.
*Support continuous improvement of testing practices and automation capabilities.
Essential Skills & Experience
*Extensive experience as a Senior Test Automation Engineer, Quality Engineer, or Senior QA Engineer.
*Proven experience working within Agile software delivery environments.
*Strong Financial Services or Capital Markets background.
*Experience creating and delivering comprehensive Test Strategies and Test Plans.
*Excellent SQL skills.
*Strong automation experience using:
*Selenium
*Java
*UFT
*Experience using:
*Azure DevOps
*ALM (Application Lifecycle Management)
*Experience with:
*CREST settlement systems
*CREST proprietary messaging
*SWIFT messaging
*ISO15022 / ISO20022 messaging
*Windows
*UNIX
*Excellent defect management and root cause analysis experience.
*Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
*ISTQB or ISEB Foundation Certification.
Desirable Skills
*Playwright
*BDD / TDD
*Kafka
*OpenShift
*CI/CD pipelines
*Jenkins
*API Testing
*Post-trade settlement platforms
*Securities processing
*Clearing and Custody systems


*Rates depend on experience and client requirements