Software Test & QA Engineer

Shipmate is looking for an experienced Software Test & Quality Assurance Engineer to manage testing and quality across the entire lifecycle of new software projects, features and maintenance updates.

The ideal candidate should excel in software testing techniques, have a keen eye for detail and be an effective communicator. Prior experience in a similar role is essential, with a background in SaaS or eCommerce being advantageous. 

If you’re ready to make a significant impact in a dynamic tech environment, this opportunity could be perfect for you.

About the company

Shipmate is a shipping automation Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for mid-size merchants and local delivery companies. We connect merchant sales channels and order processing systems with domestic and international delivery services provided by all mainstream UK and Ireland carriers.

Shipmate is used to fulfil orders by printing shipping labels and sharing tracking details with merchants and their customers. Shipmate helps speed up and simplify order fulfilment, while reducing potential for human error and ensuring the most cost-effective delivery services are always used.

Shipmate is operated by our parent company, Codemakers, which also provides contract consultancy and development services alongside other industry-specific SaaS products. We are a team of strategic thinkers, inquisitive in nature with an optimistic and determined outlook who solve real-world business challenges with solid, highly functional digital solutions that delight users. Our products and services are trusted by famous brands and used by thousands of people every day.

About the role

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Review business requirements, scoping, specification and design documents to create comprehensive test plans and test cases and provide good practice insight at the analysis and design stage

• Identify relevant test cases, including positive, negative, regression, integration, security and performance

• Define and maintain test data and test coverage metrics, working alongside our development team to maintain local and server-based test environments

• Log, track and manage defects using project management tools such as Jira

• Collaborate with developers on our team to reproduce and resolve issues and defects

• Conduct all forms of testing, both manual and automated as required by the project in hand

• Develop and maintain automated test scripts using tools such as Playwright

• Work alongside our development team to introduce automated testing as part of our CI/CD pipelines

• Prepare test summary reports, including test results, quality metrics and defect trends to support our strive towards continuous improvement

• Participate in project meetings, daily standups and sprint planning, in an agile software development environment

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives towards our software testing and QA processes, including tools and standards

• Support the production of internal and external documentation of features, such as implementation guides, user guides and support documentation

• Provide assistance to our customer support team on recently introduced features and validating account configurations

• Provide assistance relevant to your role in maintaining ISO 9001 and 27001 certification standards

Required skills & experience:

• Relevant education to degree or equivalent level in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology or similar related field.

• Proven experience as a Software Tester, QA Engineer or similar role

• Proficiency in implementing test automation tools

• Working knowledge of SQL to validate database test scenarios

• Scripting skills using Python, JavaScript and similar scripting languages for maintaining test automation tools

• Understanding of SOAP and REST-based APIs and testing using tools such as Postman

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to troubleshoot, with a can-do attitude towards problem solving

• Experience working with UI prototyping tools and familiarity with UX/UI and design terminology, and the design-to-developer asset handoff process

• Familiarity with PHP and the Laravel framework and associated performance testing tools desirable

• Confident and effective written and verbal communication skills and excellent client manner

• Ability to work independently and manage your own time and workload

What’s the working environment like?

We operate from an office in Derby city centre, on a hybrid basis. The office provides a relaxed working environment with all the equipment you need to carry out your role, alongside private on-site parking, kitchen facilities and a generous selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks. We have daily team discussions by video conference and a wealth of remote working applications and tools to support hybrid on-site and remote working.

Initially you will be required to attend the office regularly for on-site training and role familiarisation, with this requirement reducing over your probationary period to occasional office working. You will therefore need to be within a commutable distance to Derby city centre.

What does my employment package include?

• A starting salary of £37,000 – £40,000 depending on experience

• 21 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising by 1 day each year to a maximum of 5

• Hybrid home and office working, would consider remote (UK) applicants

• Time to develop your skills and an annual training allowance

• Flexible working hours

• Bupa medical insurance

The Application Process

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter by email to careers@shipmate.co.uk. Please quote vacancy reference S5TQ1 with your application.

Your application will first be considered by our senior management team and a qualification screening questionnaire may be required depending on the volume of applications we receive.

The initially selected field of candidates will be invited to a short video interview to discuss your application, ensure a good experience and cultural fit in order to be invited to an in-person interview at our offices, which will be limited to four places. We are recruiting one position in this recruitment process.

Shipmate is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age or any other illegal or unfair basis.

This vacancy is open to UK nationals or residents with settled status only.

Important: Recruitment Agencies

We do not use recruitment agencies. All unsolicited communications from recruitment agencies, job board aggregators or outsourcing companies will be ignored and calls disconnected.