Automation Engineer (Senior)

Senior Automation Engineer – Retail Technology

Permanent, Full Time
Salary: £50,000 – £75,000 per annum
Direct applicants only – no agencies please (preferred suppliers already in place)

Spike are retail technology experts delivering end‑to‑end, go‑live confidence for some of the largest and most complex retail brands in the UK and beyond.

This is a senior‑level opportunity within Spike’s Quality Engineering & Automation practice, suited to an experienced Senior Automation Engineer who operates as a trusted technical authority, delivery leader, and coach within complex client environments.

You will lead automation strategy and delivery across multiple retail technology programmes, working across diverse platforms, teams, and delivery partners. You will also play a key role in shaping how Spike designs, delivers, and continuously improves its automation capability.

This role goes beyond hands‑on delivery. At Senior level, you are expected to own automation outcomes, influence stakeholders, mentor others, and contribute to the growth and maturity of Spike’s automation practice.

Role purpose

As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will:

• Take ownership of automation strategy and delivery across complex client engagements
• Act as a senior automation authority within delivery teams and with client stakeholders
• Balance technical quality, delivery outcomes, and pragmatism across multiple projects
• Lead and develop Spike consultants, setting standards for automation quality and engineering excellence
• Contribute to the evolution of Spike’s automation frameworks, tools, and ways of working

Key responsibilities

Automation & Delivery Leadership (Drive Excellence)

• Own and lead automation activity across complex projects and programmes
• Define and implement automation strategies aligned to client delivery models and risk profiles
• Design and build scalable automation frameworks and approaches across web, API, and integrated systems
• Drive automation across functional and non‑functional testing, ensuring meaningful quality outcomes
• Integrate automation effectively into CI/CD pipelines and Agile delivery models
• Act as the senior escalation point for automation‑related risks, issues, and technical decisions

Client Engagement & Technical Consultancy (Grow the Business)

• Act as a trusted automation advisor to client stakeholders, supporting informed technical decision‑making
• Shape automation approaches within proposals, estimates, and delivery models
• Support pre‑sales and solution design activities where automation is a core component
• Identify opportunities to improve automation effectiveness and value for clients
• Help position Spike as a credible, high‑quality automation and quality engineering partner

Leadership, People & Culture (Nurture Our Culture)

• Lead, mentor, and coach Spike consultants on client engagements
• Support the development of less experienced automation engineers and test leads
• Promote high engineering standards, collaboration, and knowledge sharing
• Contribute to internal communities of practice, frameworks, and accelerators
• Demonstrate Spike values through behaviour, decision‑making, and client interactions

Required experience & capabilities

• Proven experience defining and delivering test automation strategies across multiple projects
• Strong hands‑on experience with web and API automation tools and engineering approaches
• Experience integrating automation into CI/CD pipelines and modern delivery models
• Development experience using one or more languages such as Java, C#, Python, or JavaScript
• Experience working in Agile environments, collaborating closely with development teams
• BDD experience using Cucumber, SpecFlow, and/or Gherkin
• Ability to operate autonomously with high levels of accountability

Retail or eCommerce experience is desirable, particularly within complex, multi‑system environments.

Desirable platform & domain experience

• Modern retail and eCommerce platforms
• API‑driven and microservices‑based architectures
• CI/CD tooling and cloud‑based delivery environments

What we offer

• Personal relationships with an open‑door leadership team
• Challenging consultancy‑led work across major retail brands
• Remote‑first working with flexibility and paid travel when required
• A business owned by practising consultants, with shared purpose and principles
• Pick‑and‑mix benefits allowance
• Dedicated career coach and ongoing development support

Plus:
• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays
• Day off for your birthday
• L&D allowance and training days
• Pension with auto‑enrolment after one month

Spike is an equal opportunities employer.