QE Architect - Technology Transformation

QE Architect – Technology Transformation York (Hybrid 2-3 days) | 12 Months - £600pd Our client, a major insurance business, is running a large-scale, multi-year technology transformation programme spanning Digital CX, Data & AI, CRM, and core policy/claims platforms. They're looking for a QE Architect to define and lead the Enterprise Quality Engineering capability across this portfolio — a role that combines strategic architecture with genuine hands-on delivery. You'll own the target-state QE operating model: automation-first, shift-left, risk-based assurance, and continuous testing embedded across the full SDLC. You'll set the automation and test architecture strategy across UI, API, data, integration and AI/ML validation, and you'll be the senior technical authority coaching QE Leads, SDETs and automation engineers across the programme. What you'll be doing

• Defining and owning the Enterprise QE architecture and target operating model across a diverse technology landscape (Digital CX, D365, Power Platform, Data platforms, APIs, cloud and integration).
• Architecting automation frameworks across UI, API, data, integration, non-functional and AI testing, embedded into CI/CD.
• Setting standards for automation, contract testing, data quality testing, performance, security and accessibility testing.
• Leading adoption of AI-assisted and agentic testing — AI-generated test design, self-healing automation, intelligent defect analysis.
• Defining quality gates, release readiness standards and engineering KPIs, and reporting via Power BI/Allure/Azure DevOps.
• Coaching and mentoring QE Leads, SDETs and automation engineers, and building reusable QE frameworks and accelerators. What we're looking for
• Extensive Quality Engineering experience in Software Engineering or Test Automation, including QE Architect / Principal Quality Engineer / Enterprise QE Lead level experience.
• Proven track record designing and scaling enterprise automation frameworks.
• Strong hands-on expertise across TypeScript, JavaScript, C#, Python and SQL.
• Deep experience with tools such as Playwright, BrowserStack, Applitools, Cucumber/Reqnroll, RestAssured/Postman, JMeter/k6, and Azure DevOps.
• Experience implementing TDD, BDD and continuous testing within Agile/DevOps/product-led delivery models.
• Financial services, insurance or other highly regulated industry experience preferred.