Job Title: Senior QA Analyst (Expertise in payroll systems)
Location: UK-based applicants only
Start Date: Immediate / ASAP
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented QA Analyst (Mid to Senior Level) with deep expertise in payroll systems. You’ll be responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining both manual and automated test suites, with a special emphasis on complex payroll calculations, National Insurance (NI), tax compliance, and desktop software validation.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute detailed manual test cases for payroll-related features using TestRail or similar tools.
- Develop and maintain automated test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python for regression and functional testing.
- Validate payroll calculation logic, including:
- NI contributions (primary and secondary)
- Tax codes and thresholds
- Student loan deductions
- Statutory payments (e.g., SMP, SPP, SSP)
- Simulate and create payroll datasets that cover varied worker scenarios (e.g., full-time, part-time, irregular pay).
- Use API endpoints (e.g., RTI submissions, NVR checks, FPS/EPS generation) to validate system integration.
- Conduct end-to-end testing of desktop-based applications, with a focus on cross-platform compatibility, performance, and UI consistency.
- Log, triage, and track defects using JIRA, GitHub, or similar issue management systems.
- Collaborate in Agile sprints and ceremonies with developers, analysts, and product owners.
- Maintain and configure Dockerised test environments, including CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions.
- Apply robust QA processes throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong payroll testing background with deep understanding of UK payroll cycles, PAYE, and statutory obligations.
- Proven hands-on experience in:
- NI category letters and contribution calculations
- PAYE tax band logic, personal allowances, and thresholds
- Apprenticeship levy and employment allowance interactions
- Working knowledge of desktop payroll applications.
- Solid experience writing test cases and automating test scripts using Selenium with Java or Python.
- Familiarity with technical documentation and API schemas.
- Proficient with version control (GIT) and CI/CD tooling (GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
- Experience using Docker and managing isolated testing environments.
- Strong understanding of manual and automated testing practices within Agile and Waterfall models.
Desirable Skills
- Familiarity with RTI submissions (FPS, EPS), NVR responses, and error message validations.
- Experience creating or maintaining an automated testing framework.
- Confidence in writing test data scenarios that include irregular earnings, leavers/joiners, pension contributions, and holiday pay.
- Cross-platform testing experience: Windows, Linux, macOS.
- Working with virtualisation environments (e.g., Hyper-V, VirtualBox).
- ISEB/ISTQB certification or other industry-recognised QA qualifications.
- Awareness of bilingual testing needs, such as English/Welsh UI compliance (desirable but not essential).
Benefits
- Work on critical national infrastructure systems used by thousands of UK employers
- Deepen your domain expertise in compliance and payroll automation
- Collaborate in a supportive, technically sound QA team
- Long-term visibility with strong extension potential
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