Senior Test Automation Engineer

Permanent full time | Wellington based

• Shape practical, maintainable test automation across NZQA's digital products and services
• Maintain and modernise NZQA's automation frameworks, tools and practices
• Make a meaningful difference to how learners' achievements are recognised across Aotearoa

Whakatairangatia ngā kete o te mātauranga ki te ao mārama! E te tai whakarunga, e te tai whakararo, nau piki mai, nau kake mai ki te Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

May the baskets of knowledge (education) be brought into the world of light. We welcome one and all to join us at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Are you an experienced test automation engineer who enjoys building frameworks that teams can rely on? We're looking for a Senior Test Automation Engineer to join our Testing team and help shape how automation supports confident, well-informed releases across NZQA.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Reporting to the Practice Lead Testing, you'll provide technical leadership for test automation and quality engineering within our Information Services unit. This is a hands-on senior role where you will develop and improve NZQA's automation frameworks, tools and test assets across complex web applications, APIs and integrated systems and work as a trusted technical partner to testers, developers, architects and delivery teams. You'll keep our existing automation reliable while identifying and leading opportunities to modernise it. Our current stack includes Java, Serenity BDD, Cucumber, JUnit, Maven, REST API automation, Git and Bitbucket for version control, and CI/CD tooling including Jenkins and AWS pipelines.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the design and maintenance of automation frameworks, reusable components and test assets
• Identify and lead opportunities to modernise our automation frameworks and tooling, including evaluating options and running pilots
• Develop automated tests for web applications, APIs, services and integrated systems, and embed them into CI/CD pipelines for timely feedback
• Improve automation reliability by addressing unstable, duplicated or low-value tests
• Own the quality and maintainability of automation code, and work with testers and developers to improve testability and automation design
• Report on automation coverage, reliability and risk to inform release decisions
• Coach testers and engineers, and share knowledge through NZQA's testing and quality engineering community

He āhei āu | What you'll bring to the role

You're a hands-on automation engineer with strong engineering habits and the judgement to know where automation adds value and where manual testing is still needed. You explain technical issues and risks clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, and you enjoy helping others build their skills.

To be successful in this position, you will have:

• At least 8 years' hands-on test automation experience in agile or hybrid delivery environments
• Experience designing, maintaining and modernising automation frameworks and reusable test components
• Hands-on browser, API and service automation experience, with strong programming skills in Java or another automation language, integrated into CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and AWS pipelines or similar. Experience with Serenity BDD, Cucumber, JUnit and Maven is highly regarded
• Experience in complex enterprise environments with multiple systems, services and integration points
• A strong understanding of risk-based testing and automation strategy, and skill in diagnosing unreliable automation
• Experience mentoring, coaching or providing peer support to testers or engineers
• A Level 7 qualification in Computer Science, IT, software engineering or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience)

Experience with non-functional testing, such as performance or security testing (e.g. Apache JMeter), is desirable but not essential. Knowledge of the New Zealand education sector and an understanding of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi would also be valued.

Ngā Painga o NZQA | Why choose NZQA

Join NZQA and help lift quality and trust across Aotearoa New Zealand's education system through world‑class assessment, quality assurance and qualifications. We are passionate about ensuring learners' achievements are recognised, allowing people to fully participate in employment, society and their communities.

NZQA is committed to lifelong learning and the diverse communities we serve. We welcome people from all backgrounds and provide a supportive environment for Māori and Pacific staff, including active networks that help guide and strengthen our strategic direction.

Discover more about what we offer: NZQA Staff Benefits.

Pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

If you're an experienced automation engineer who wants to shape practical, maintainable test automation and help delivery teams release with confidence, we'd love to hear from you.

For more information about this role and NZQA please refer to the job description, NZQA's Customer Charter and Organisational Values. If you are applying/viewing through Seek, please click ‘apply now' to access these links.

If you would like to discuss further, please contact Christian Manguiat | Christian.Manguiat@nzqa.govt.nz

To apply, please include your CV and cover letter. Applications close 5pm Friday 20 November 2026. We will review applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates or close the vacancy before the closing date. We encourage you to apply early.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this role.

NZQA is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.