QA Engineer (Manual Automation)

Location: Hybrid with 1 day per week in our Manchester office (could be based in surrounding areas ie Leeds/Liverpool) Who are we? We’re the original pioneers in connected commerce marketing. Since 2008, we’ve been partnering with major retailers, powering global brands, and building meaningful connections with shoppers. We simplify the mind-boggling complexity of today’s retail media landscape. We deliver impactful campaigns that connect with people where it matters. We create seamless and personalised shopping experiences. Above all, we deliver amazing results for our partners, driven by our unshakeable desire for growth. Time after time, we change the game. SMG is home to a world-class suite of commerce advertising capabilities powered by data and cutting-edge technology. We constantly push ourselves, our tech and our industry to discover innovative new ways to connect, sell and grow. About the role Part of SMG, Plan-Apps is a cutting-edge technology company specialising in B2B SaaS solutions tailored for the dynamic landscape of the retail media industry. Our innovative platform empowers retailers to optimise their media estates, streamlining the full marketing campaign cycle - connecting brands and retailers to use data to plan, manage and measure marketing campaigns effectively. As we continue to expand our offerings, we are looking for a brilliant, highly motivated and experienced QA Engineer (Manual & Automation) to join our team in shaping the future of retail media. This individual will validate functionality, performance, and usability, identifies defects early, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure our software meets the highest standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and a passion for driving software quality. What you'll do Develop and execute manual and automated test cases that align with product requirements Create and maintain automated test scripts using Cypress / Playwright for UI, API, and end-to-end testing Defining the scope of testing and its phases within the context of each new feature or release in Agile Methodology Collaborate with developers, QA engineers, and product managers to define test scenarios and ensure software quality Implement test automation strategies and integrate them into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Git, BitBucket) Debug and troubleshoot test failures and report issues using Jira Ensure cross-browser compatibility testing, analyze test results, identify issues, and work with developers to resolve defects Comprehensive test documentation, including test cases, test reports and automation strategies. Identify, document, and track defects using Jira and Xray; ensure timely resolution Identifying areas for improvement and driving continuous enhancement to overall QA function and team performance Generate detailed test automation reports, automation strategies, and maintain QA documentation in Confluence What you'll bring Proven experience as a QA Engineer with a successful track record in both functional and automation testing Deep understanding of QA methodologies, automation tools, and processes Strong understanding of UI testing, API testing, and end-to-end testing Good understanding of HTML, CSS, and DOM manipulation for debugging issues using browser dev tools and logs Implementation of Automation Frameworks and familiarity with BDD/TDD methodologies Ability to read and write test code in JavaScript/TypeScript/Node.js Hands-on experience integrating tests into CI/CD pipelines Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with engineering teams and stakeholders Solid organisation, planning, and prioritization skills, with a keen attention to detail Familiarity with Agile and Scrum methodologies in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment Experience in non-functional testing, particularly in performance, security, and load testing, is highly desirable We're looking for people who enjoy the buzz of change, the satisfaction of building something better, and the joy of working with a close-knit, values-driven team. If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role. Don’t meet every single requirement? We still want to hear from you. If you believe you’d thrive in this role, your unique perspective might be just what we’re looking for. Why SMG? At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. Do you have the potential to help shape our business? We’re looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us - people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams. We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it’s not just about filling a role but building the future together. And here's what we have to offer: 10% discretionary bonus £1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary!) Free Headspace subscription £500 yearly “Uni Fund” for learning 4 extra Wellbeing Days off per year Summer & Winter conferences + year-round celebrations 4pm finishes every Friday Flexible and hybrid working Explore all our benefits here Useful Links Before You Apply Learn about our agencies Our values Our hiring process EDI at SMG FAQs Our full data retention policy can be found here .