Lead Software Development Engineer in Test, SDET
Neara
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Sydney • Australia
Visit company websiteExplore more
Job Level
About the role
- Build & Lead Test Automation
- Design, build, and own Neara’s automated testing framework for acceptance and integration testing, ensuring coverage across UI, API, and backend layers.
- Select and implement modern test automation tools (e.g. Selenium, Playwright, Cypress), integrating them into our CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation.
- Translate product test plans into efficient, maintainable automation scripts that enhance release reliability and developer confidence.
- Define the testing architecture, infrastructure, and documentation that will scale with the product and the business.
- Engineer for Quality & Velocity
- Embed quality early in the development lifecycle by collaborating closely with engineers and product managers.
- Analyse results, identify root causes, and drive the resolution of quality issues through proactive test design.
- Build quality metrics and dashboards that clearly communicate release readiness and product health.
- Balance automation with smart manual testing and designing efficient processes for areas that require human validation.
- Run and champion “Test Parties” to engage teams in collective quality ownership.
- Shape the Future of QA at Neara
- Establish and scale the company’s QA automation function from the ground up: Defining the tools, processes, and standards that will guide quality for years to come.
- Continuously evolve QA practices to reduce customer-facing bugs, prevent regressions, and validate the accuracy of complex calculations in a sophisticated SaaS environment.
- Serve as Neara’s trusted quality advisor, ensuring that testing strategies align with business outcomes and product goals.
- Drive a measurable increase in release confidence and a reduction in manual testing overhead through automation coverage.
Requirements
- Strong software engineering fundamentals with the ability to write clean, maintainable code in Python or JavaScript
- Deep hands-on experience with modern test automation frameworks (Selenium, Playwright, Cypress)
- Proven experience in API test automation using Postman, Insomnia, or custom scripts
- Working knowledge of CI/CD environments (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions)
- Experience testing complex, cloud-based SaaS platforms
- Experience leading or mentoring others in QA automation is a plus, as we expect this function to scale over time
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 3–5+ years in a software development or test automation role.
Benefits
- Competitive salary + ESOP
- Fully flexible working arrangements with a well-stocked office in Redfern
- Highly meritocratic, non-bureaucratic, and no-ego work culture
- Significant career development and growth opportunities
- The opportunity to work on complex, meaningful products and real-world problems
- The opportunity to play a direct, critical role in the trajectory of a high growth company
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
test automationautomated testing frameworkAPI test automationclean codePythonJavaScriptcloud-based SaaS testingCI/CDtest designquality metrics
Soft skills
collaborationproblem-solvingleadershipmentoringcommunicationquality ownershipproactiveanalytical thinkingadaptabilityprocess design
Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer ScienceBachelor’s degree in Engineeringrelated field degree