QA Engineer - Java, Automation - 12 Month FTC (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds and London)

No specific qualifications are required. Relevant QA or software testing certifications are desirable but not essential. What matters most is demonstrable commercial experience as a QA Engineer , along with strong hands-on Java  skills. Company Description Genomics England is a global leader in enabling genomic medicine and research, focused on creating a world where everyone benefits from genomic healthcare. Building on the 100,000 Genomes Project, we support the NHS’s world-first national whole genome sequencing service and run the growing National Genomic Research Library, alongside delivering numerous major genomics initiatives. By connecting research and clinical care at national scale, we enable immediate healthcare benefits and advances for the future.  Our mission is to provide the evidence and digital systems so that by 2035 genomics could play a role in up to half of all healthcare interactions, whilst securing the UK’s position as the best place to discover, prove and benefit from genomic innovations.  We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.  Behind the Healthcare and Research outcomes, Genomics England delivers through designing, developing and operating complex healthcare software systems.  We're on the cusp of big changes with the real prospect of genomics becoming the fabric of everyday healthcare through the lifetime - from birth to old age. QA Engineer - 12 Month FTC (Java)  At Genomics England, we’re looking for an experienced QA Engineer with strong commercial Java and test automation experience. You’ll play a key role in ensuring quality is engineered into our products from the outset, working closely with Product Managers, Software Engineers, SMEs, and fellow QA Engineers to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure solutions.   Working as part of a cross-functional Agile squad, you'll champion a shift-left approach to quality, building and evolving automated testing frameworks using your expertise and experience in Java, Selenium, and RestAssured, while helping improve test coverage, automation, and delivery confidence across the software development lifecycle.   This is an opportunity to contribute to products that support Genomics England’s mission to transform healthcare through genomics. The work you do will directly support the delivery of high-quality digital services that enable world-leading genomic research and help improve outcomes for patients and families across the UK  Job Description:  The QA Engineer will:  Promote and follow Genomics England's software testing standards, processes, and best practices.  Design, build, maintain, and execute automated test frameworks using Java, Selenium, and RestAssured.  Contribute to quality engineering practices across the full SDLC, supporting both product-level and service-level assurance.  Work collaboratively with engineers to improve unit, integration, API, and end-to-end test coverage.  Help drive shift-left testing practices and ensure quality is built into products from the earliest stages of development.  Ensure requirements, acceptance criteria, test cases, defects, and evidence are traceable and auditable.  Support CI/CD implementation and test automation execution within deployment pipelines.  Participate in Agile ceremonies and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.  Collaborate with stakeholders to identify risks, quality concerns, and opportunities to improve delivery confidence.  Everyday Responsibilities Include:  Designing, developing, and maintaining Java-based automation frameworks and automated test suites using Selenium and RestAssured.   Creating and executing automated UI, API, integration, and regression tests.  Reviewing requirements and acceptance criteria to ensure they are testable and complete.  Creating test cases and scenarios in Gherkin format using clear Given / When / Then structure.  Ensuring traceability between requirements, acceptance criteria, test cases, defects, test execution results, and test evidence.  Working closely with software engineers to improve automated coverage and support shift-left testing.  Executing automated and manual tests and recording results in Jira/Xray.   Investigating defects, supporting root cause analysis, and helping improve product quality.  Managing and preparing test data required for testing activities.  Supporting and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for automated testing.   Producing and maintaining high-quality test documentation, test evidence, and quality reports.  Participating in sprint ceremonies, backlog refinement sessions, solution discussions, and peer reviews.  Working collaboratively with Product Managers, Engineers, QA colleagues, and SMEs to deliver high-quality outcomes.  Supporting non-functional testing activities where required, including performance and security validation Essential Skills and Experience:  Strong experience in Java test automation, including designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks and test suites using Selenium and RestAssured.  Experience automating both UI and API testing using Java-based frameworks.   Good understanding of software testing principles, SDLC, Agile development practices, and quality engineering.   Experienced in functional, regression, integration, API, and end-to-end testing.   Experience reviewing requi