Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

• Love writing Python code that makes complex things work seamlessly?
• Enjoy building automation frameworks, solving tricky technical problems and finding smarter ways to test software?
• Want to take ownership of automation improvements and have a real say in how testing is done?

If that sounds like you, this could be a brilliant next move.

Our client is looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join their growing engineering team in Oxford.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys the development side of test automation. You'll be working with an established Python-based framework, finding ways to make it faster, more reliable and easier to maintain, while helping to shape the team's approach to software quality.

It's a role where your ideas will be valued, your technical skills will be put to good use and you'll have the freedom to make meaningful improvements.

Why This Role is Great

If you enjoy getting stuck into code, improving how things work and seeing the results of your efforts, there's plenty here to get excited about.

Make automation your own: Play a key role in developing and enhancing an existing Python automation framework, using tools such as Selenium and Behave.
Build things that last: Create reusable libraries, utilities and testing solutions that make life easier for developers and testers alike.
Solve the interesting problems: Investigate flaky tests, tackle performance bottlenecks and find ways to make automated testing more stable and efficient.
Shape how testing is done: Bring fresh ideas to automation architecture, coding standards and best practices, helping the team continuously improve.
Automate more, manually test less: Identify opportunities to expand automation coverage and streamline testing processes.
Get involved in the bigger picture: Work with CI/CD pipelines, test reporting and development workflows to make quality an integral part of software delivery.
Share what you know: Support and mentor other engineers, helping to develop technical skills and encourage an automation-first mindset.
Keep developing your expertise: Gain exposure to structured quality processes and further strengthen your approach to building reliable, well-tested software.

This is an opportunity to do more than maintain automated tests. You'll help influence how automation evolves and contribute to the wider engineering team's success.

About You

We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys writing code, understands what makes a great automation framework and likes finding better ways to solve technical challenges.

You'll have the chance to build on your existing experience with:

Python: Writing clean, maintainable and reusable code, using object-oriented programming principles and good software design practices.
Test automation: Developing and maintaining automated test frameworks using Selenium, Playwright or similar tools.
BDD frameworks: Working with Behave or comparable behaviour-driven testing approaches.
Automation design: Applying patterns such as Page Object Model (POM) to create well-structured, scalable test suites.
API testing: Building automated API tests using Python Requests or equivalent libraries.
CI/CD and version control: Using Git and tools such as GitLab CI to support efficient development and testing workflows.
Problem-solving: Debugging unreliable tests, identifying root causes and improving test performance.
Test insights: Using logging, reporting and test analysis to understand results and drive improvements.

You'll enjoy collaborating with other engineers, sharing knowledge and taking a proactive approach to technical challenges.

A Few Extras That Would Be Great

If you've also worked with any of the following, that's a bonus:

Docker and containerised environments.
Linux command-line tools.
AWS or other cloud platforms.
Allure or similar test reporting tools.
Test data management and environment configuration.
Automated testing within deployment pipelines.
Formal software quality, verification or validation processes.

Don't have experience with everything listed? That's absolutely fine.

If you're confident with Python, have a solid background in automation and enjoy learning new technologies, our client would be keen to hear from you.

What's in It for You?

This is a great opportunity for an engineer who wants to have a genuine impact rather than simply work through a testing checklist.

You'll get the chance to:

Take ownership of technical improvements and help guide automation development.
Work with modern engineering tools and explore new ways to improve testing efficiency.
Develop your technical depth in Python, automation architecture and CI/CD.
Influence best practices and contribute ideas that make a difference.
Grow your leadership skills through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
Work on technically interesting software where quality, performance and reliability are important.

You'll be joining a team that values thoughtful engineering, continuous improvement and people who enjoy solving problems.

Ready for Your Next Challenge?

Whether you're currently a Software Development Engineer in Test, Python Automation Engineer, Automation Test Engineer or Software Engineer with a passion for testing, we'd love to hear from you.

If you enjoy building robust automation solutions, improving frameworks and making software better, this could be exactly the opportunity you've been looking for.

Apply today to learn more about this SDET opportunity in Oxford.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Humand Talent and our client are committed to providing equal opportunities and creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including those with transferable skills who may not meet every preferred requirement. We believe that different perspectives, curiosity and a passion for learning help build stronger teams.