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

QA Engineer - 12 Month FTC (Python)  At Genomics England, we’re looking for an experienced QA Engineer with strong commercial Python 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 Python, 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 is meaningful and directly supports the delivery of high-quality digital services that enable world-leading genomic research and help improve real 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 Python.  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 Python-based automation frameworks and automated test suites.   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 Python test automation, including designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks and test suites.  Experience automating both UI and API testing using Python-based frameworks.   Good understanding of software testing principles, SDLC, Agile development practices, and quality engineering.   Experience in functional, regression, integration, API, and end-to-end testing.   Experience reviewing requirements and acceptance criteria, creating test cases in Gherkin (Given/When/Then) format, and ensuring full traceability between requirements, acceptance criteria, test cases, defects, and test evidence.  Strong understanding of test design techniques, requirements analysis, test planning, test execution, and defect management.   Experience creating and maintaining test documentation, including test plans, test cases, test scripts, test reports, and test evidence.   Experience working in Agile squads and collaborating effectively with Product Managers, Software Engineers, SMEs, and QA colleagues.   Experience using Jira, Xray, Confluence, Git, and other software delivery and quality management tools.   Experience executing automated tests within CI/CD pipelines and maintaining automation execution processes.   Experience managing test data and validating data across multiple systems and databases.  Experience reporting, triaging, and tracking defects through to resolution.   Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.   Ability to contribute to shift-left testing practices and work collaboratively to improve quality across the SDLC.   Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to clearly articulate risks, issues, and quality recommendations.  ISTQB Foundation Certification (or equivalent software testing qualification).  Desirable Skills and Experience:  Experience working in a regulated environment such as Healthcare, NHS, Genomics, Medical Devices, Life Sciences, or other highly governed industries.  Experience with AWS cloud technologi