Job Specifications
Senior Test Automation Engineer | SDET | Financial Services (Market Data) | London (Hybrid)
Eligibility: Only candidates with recent Banking and/or Financial Services sector experience and recent exposure to Market Data systems & concepts will be considered.
Rate: £445 p/d Outside IR35
Required Sector Experience: Banking / Financial Services / Capital Markets
Working Model: Hybrid - 2–3 days per week onsite in London
Must Have Tech Skills: Python, SQL, Playwright or Cypress (or similar), automation framework design
Strict Requirements – Please Read Before Applying
Only apply if you meet all the following:
Recent Banking or Financial Services experience
Hands-on exposure to Market Data systems & concepts
Strong Python and SQL skills
Automation framework development experience (Playwright/Cypress/Selenium)
Ability to design, build, and own automation end-to-end
Solid understanding of cloud technologies + relational databases
Comfortable operating as the senior QA authority on a project
If you do not tick every box above, this role is not the right fit.
Optimal have partnered with a major financial services organisation that is modernising their Market Data platform. They are seeking a Senior Test Automation Engineer to lead all testing activities across a high-visibility transformation programme.
This is a hands-on, senior technical role where you will architect automation frameworks, execute manual and automated tests, and take full ownership of quality assurance across a critical Market Data initiative.
Core Focus Areas
Automation Framework Ownership
• Build, enhance, and maintain a robust automation framework for Market Data systems
• Playwright, Cypress, Selenium – UI, API, and integration automation
• End-to-end ownership: architecture → scripting → CI integration
Test Execution & Governance
• Design, develop, and execute manual and automated test cases
• Full QA lifecycle: planning, execution, reporting, and defect management
• Ensure compliance with internal reporting templates and governance standards
Data & Market Data Validation
• SQL-based validation across relational databases
• Hands-on testing of cloud-enabled data flows
• Strong understanding of Market Data concepts (pricing, instruments, feeds, vendors, validation)
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
• Work closely with IT Services, engineering teams, and business SMEs
• Support the Principal Test Manager in embedding QA best practices
• Clearly communicate testing progress, risks, and quality metrics
Ideal Background
• Proven experience designing, executing, and reporting on software tests
• Strong hands-on automation engineering skills
• Experience in Market Data environments (highly preferred)
• Strong scripting skills (Python, JavaScript or similar)
• Financial services testing background – banking, trading, data, or investment platforms
• Familiarity with Jira, Agile delivery, and modern DevOps practices
• ISTQB Foundation or equivalent certification
Working Model
Hybrid: 2–3 days per week in London
Engaged, collaborative technology function driving modernisation and quality-first delivery
If this opportunity sounds like the right fit and you meet all of the criteria above, reach out to Optimal for an immediate response.
About the Company
At Optimal, recruitment is more than just matching candidates with roles - it's about building lasting relationships and thriving communities.
Our founder, with over 20 years of technical IT recruitment experience, is a passionate advocate for community engagement and the organiser of the first-ever London Ministry of Testing Meetup. Combining technical expertise with a CT-AI certification, they have made Optimal a true recruitment specialist.
Our core expertise lies in Test, Development, and Quality Engineering. Additiona...
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