Ocho
QA Automation Specialist

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QA Automation Specialist (Exchange & Clearing Systems) Hybrid role
At a Glance
Individual contributor QA role at a high-growth prediction markets trading firm
Core stack: Java, Python, FIX, SQL, Cucumber, Playwright, JUnit
Salary: £45,000 - £60,000 plus discretionary annual bonus
3+ years experience required, financial services testing background preferred
Central role in quality for a CFTC regulated exchange and clearing platform
About the Company
Our client is a specialist prediction markets trading firm, operating at the frontier of financial markets in partnership with major institutional players. They are building the premier prediction market platform, empowering traders to take positions on real-world events and generating market-driven forecasts for decision makers. The platform sits behind a CFTC regulated exchange and clearing business, and the engineering team is lean, highly skilled, and building infrastructure that operates at genuine exchange scale.
The Role
As QA Automation Specialist you will drive quality across the firm's Exchange, Clearing and Instrument Management systems, working closely with Product and Engineering to extend the Java based QA automation framework and build out comprehensive front-end and back-end test coverage. This is a hands-on, detail-focused role suited to an engineer who takes genuine ownership of quality across a regulated, high-stakes trading platform. You will test everything from FIX protocol and proprietary binary message interfaces through to Admin and Customer facing UIs, ensuring the platform performs reliably under real exchange conditions.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities
- Extend and maintain the Java based QA automation framework supporting the exchange, clearing and instrument management platforms
- Design and execute manual and automated test cases across new products and features
- Test FIX protocol, proprietary binary message formats and file based interfaces for both internal and external consumption
- Automate Admin and Customer UI testing using Playwright alongside targeted manual test cases
- Validate data integrity, security compliance and performance under expected load
- Partner with Product and Engineering to review, triage and resolve bugs
- Define and enforce rigorous quality standards across the platform in collaboration with Product and Engineering
- Monitor test platform performance and reliability to meet the demands of a regulated exchange
- Maintain up to date knowledge of current testing methodologies and tooling
What You'll Need
Essential:
- 3+ years experience in a QA or software testing role, ideally within financial services
- Strong proficiency in Java, Python, FIX and SQL
- Hands-on experience with Cucumber, Playwright and JUnit, plus test reporting and analysis
- Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related discipline
- Right to work in the UK on a permanent, indefinite basis (no visa sponsorship available)
Desirable / Nice to Have:
- Experience with derivative contracts (futures, options) and financial markets
- Exposure to testing regulated exchange or clearing infrastructure


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Why Apply?
- £45,000 - £60,000 salary plus discretionary annual bonus
- Central role in quality for a CFTC regulated exchange and clearing platform, not a ticket-driven testing role
- Genuine ownership of automation strategy across exchange, clearing and instrument management systems
- Full-time, in-person hybrid working model
- Pension scheme, plus health, dental and vision cover
- Generous paid time off and wellbeing support
- Join a high-growth prediction markets trading firm working alongside major institutional partners
- Inclusive, values-led workplace that invests in career development
How to Apply
If you believe you meet the criteria for this role and are excited about the opportunity, please apply via the link. Alternatively, reach out to Phil Gamble directly for an informal chat via LinkedIn or WhatsApp.
About Phil Gamble:
Phil Gamble has over 21 years of experience recruiting in global software engineering markets, delivering high-quality technical hires for scaling organisations. His relationship-driven approach ensures candidates are supported throughout the entire process.
Recent LinkedIn Testimonials:
"I cannot recommend Phil and Ocho enough…Phil is a professional who does not treat his candidates as resources…"
"Phil was by far the best recruiter I have ever dealt with…I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Phil to my friends or colleagues."
"Phil has helped me find new roles more than once…he takes the time to understand what I'm looking for…"
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
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