AI and Automation

We see AI as an important part of the future of software quality.

We are not looking for someone who simply uses AI to generate test scripts. We want someone interested in understanding where AI genuinely improves QA and where traditional engineering judgement remains essential.

You will be encouraged to investigate and apply AI to areas including:

• Generating initial automated test cases and scripts.
• Turning manual regression scenarios into automation.
• Identifying potential gaps in regression coverage.
• Generating realistic and useful test data.
• Analysing automated test failures and logs.
• Diagnosing flaky or brittle tests.
• Improving and maintaining existing automated tests.
• Exploring AI-driven browser automation.
• Exploring computer-use and agentic testing approaches for legacy desktop applications.
• Supporting exploratory testing and identifying unusual edge cases.

AI-generated tests and results must still be critically reviewed. Strong QA judgement, curiosity and the ability to recognise unexpected behaviour remain central to the role.

What We're Looking For

You should have:

• Commercial experience in software quality assurance or software testing.
• Strong exploratory and manual testing skills.
• Experience testing web applications.
• An understanding of automated regression testing and when automation is appropriate.
• The ability to write scripts or test automation without needing to be a full-time software developer.
• An interest in modern AI-assisted and low-code/no-code automation tools.
• Experience investigating defects and providing developers with clear, reproducible information.
• Experience creating test cases, test scenarios and regression suites.
• An understanding of API testing.
• An understanding of risk-based testing.
• Experience working alongside software developers in an Agile or iterative development environment.
• The confidence to question requirements and identify scenarios that may not have been considered.
• The ability to work independently and establish structure in an environment where the QA function is still developing.
• Most importantly, you should be someone who is curious about how modern tools can improve software quality and willing to experiment, learn and challenge established testing approaches.

Useful Experience

Experience in any of the following would be beneficial, but we do not expect candidates to have everything:

• Playwright, Selenium, Cypress or similar web automation frameworks.
• Windows desktop application automation.
• Testing WinForms, WPF or Delphi applications.
• Testing applications built using React or Angular.
• Testing.NET or Java applications.
• ASP.NET Web Forms applications.
• REST API testing.
• Postman or similar API testing tools.
• Azure DevOps.
• Automated testing within CI/CD pipelines.
• Performance testing.
• Security testing.
• Accessibility testing.
• AI-assisted development or testing tools.
• Agentic automation or computer-use technologies.
• Healthcare, audit or other environments where accuracy, traceability and reliability are particularly important.

What Success Looks Like

During your first year, we would expect you to progressively:

• Establish a clear and pragmatic QA approach across the technology team.
• Create greater visibility of regression coverage and software quality risks.
• Build a maintainable automated regression suite for our highest-value and highest-risk workflows.
• Introduce appropriate automated testing into Azure DevOps pipelines.
• Reduce the amount of repetitive manual regression testing required for releases.
• Establish effective exploratory testing practices alongside automation.
• Demonstrate practical uses of AI that improve testing speed, coverage or maintainability.
• Develop workable approaches for automating appropriate parts of our legacy application estate.
• Improve the quality and consistency of release readiness decisions.
• Help developers consider testing and quality earlier in the development lifecycle.

The Opportunity

This is not a role where you will simply execute someone else's test scripts.

You will have the opportunity to influence how QA develops across the organisation, experiment with new approaches and technologies, and demonstrate what a modern QA function can deliver.

There will be guidance and support from the technology leadership team, but we are looking for someone who wants ownership, is comfortable investigating unfamiliar problems, and is motivated by the opportunity to build something better.

Benefits

• £35,000 - £45,000 per annum, dependant on experience
• Company pension scheme
• Professional development opportunities
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Location

Leeds, Norwich or London – Hybrid / Remote

Athera Healthcare is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.