QA Technical Lead

This is a hands-on senior individual-contributor role focused on technical testing, cross-system diagnostics, automation and performance. You will work across legacy Windows client, web, API and Azure-hosted SaaS services, taking ownership of investigations and testing projects from scoping through to evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.
The role is designed to add direct technical delivery capacity. Collaboration is expected, but you must be able to run assigned work independently, make risk-based decisions and communicate clearly under time pressure.

• Own and deliver technical QA activities for projects and investigations, including planning, execution and reporting.
• Drive quality input into requirements, user stories and acceptance criteria; challenge ambiguity early.
• Lead test strategy and risk-based coverage across functional, integration and non-functional scenarios.
• Design and execute exploratory, manual and automated tests across legacy UI, web and API layers.
• Investigate defects and incidents using SQL, logs, telemetry and HTTP/network traces; isolate likely causes.
• Use Azure Application Insights/KQL to diagnose behaviour and performance across distributed services.
• Perform API and integration testing using tools such as Postman and Fiddler, including auth and permission flows.
• Plan and execute performance tests (e.g., JMeter), including data preparation, interpretation and actionable recommendations.
• Support urgent release/production issue triage and firefighting when required.
• Work with developers, architects, platform and delivery teams to close quality risks quickly.
• Contribute to improving team practices, automation coverage and technical QA standards.

• Strong demonstrable experience across functional and non-functional testing in complex business systems.
• Proven delivery of technical QA work independently, including investigation ownership and outcome reporting.
• Experience across mixed technology estates (legacy applications plus modern web/API/cloud components).
• ISTQB Foundation level (or equivalent practical capability).
• Strong SQL skills for investigation and data validation (SSMS).
• Solid troubleshooting capability across application, database, network and infrastructure boundaries.
• Hands-on experience with Azure diagnostics and monitoring (especially Application Insights/KQL).
• Practical automation experience (Playwright and/or Reqnroll or equivalent frameworks).
• API testing and debugging experience with Postman/Fiddler and HTTP fundamentals.
• Performance testing experience with JMeter (or equivalent), including workload design and result analysis.
• Understanding of Windows services and IIS in test/investigation contexts.
• Good understanding of authentication/authorisation concepts including service principals, app registrations and APIM context.
• Insurance-domain experience
• Experience with Kubernetes-hosted services and interpreting runtime metrics.
• Experience with CI/CD quality gates and test integration in delivery pipelines.
• Familiarity with reading YAML-based CI/CD pipeline definitions and Infrastructure as Code such as Terraform; expert-level authoring is not required.
• Experience using AI-assisted tools to support test design, scripting or analysis, with appropriate human review and care when handling confidential or client data.
• Coding experience (e.g., C#, .NET, JavaScript) to support robust automation and diagnostics.
• Experience testing SaaS environments and integrations with third-party services

• Experience working in Agile delivery teams.
• Strong defect management, prioritisation and communication skills.
• A pragmatic, risk-based approach: able to balance quality depth with delivery timelines.
• A strong sense of ownership and accountability for outcomes.
• Previous senior or technical lead responsibilities (mentoring/improving practices).

• 25 days holiday plus Public Holidays
• Company pension
• Private health cover
• Free parking at the office
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Company social events

You will work with sharp, collaborative colleagues delivering high-impact software in a fast-paced environment. You will be trusted with meaningful ownership, supported to grow your technical depth, and given opportunities to influence quality engineering practices across the organisation.
We've been building technology for the UK insurance industry for more than 30 years, with a history of challenging established ways of doing things and introducing new technology into the market. Please send your CV by clicking the APPLY button.
We look forward to receiving your application and exploring the possibility of you joining our talented team at RDT.