Senior Test Automation Engineer

• Deliver high-quality digital solutions through innovative test automation
• Ensure the reliability, performance, and quality of Kāinga Ora’s applications and services
• Permanent Wellington-based role, 5 weeks leave + insurance benefits

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity
Kāinga Ora is looking for a Senior Test Automation Engineer to join our Wellington-based specialist Testing Team. As a senior technical specialist, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining robust automated testing solutions that safeguard the integrity of our systems and enhance the delivery of digital services. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you'll drive quality assurance best practices, provide expert automation guidance, and help shape the future direction of automated testing across the organisation.
Core functions of this role include:

• Designing, creating and executing reusable and maintainable automated test scripts
• Executing agreed Testing methodology (such as Behaviour Driven Development (BDD)) and test management strategy
• Maintaining, extending, and monitoring the automation framework, pipelines and automation source code
• Analysing requirements to build on product knowledge, and feed into test automation development
• Collaborating with the Manual Testers in the scripting of the tests

The Senior Test Automation Engineer will also apply AI-assisted testing techniques to improve testing effectiveness, quality outcomes, and delivery efficiency. Further, they will validate AI-generated outputs and contribute to the responsible adoption of AI across the testing team, promoting continuous learning and improvement.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring
As one of our Senior Test Automation Specialists you will thrive in complex environments and be committed to delivering high-quality digital solutions through automation, innovation, and continuous improvement.
To succeed in this role, you'll bring:

• Extensive experience in software testing and test automation within large, complex enterprise environments, with public sector experience highly regarded
• Strong knowledge of automation infrastructure, environment management, testing tools, programming languages, CI/CD pipelines, and software development processes
• Deep expertise in automation frameworks and methodologies, including BDD (Behaviour Driven Development), Data-Driven Testing, Library Architecture frameworks, and industry best practices
• Proven ability to analyse business requirements and translate them into effective test scenarios, while clearly articulating defects and technical issues to development teams
• Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching, and sharing knowledge with colleagues, helping to uplift testing capability and foster continuous learning across teams
• Industry-recognised certifications such as ISTQB or equivalent test automation qualifications.

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?
We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits
As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities.

Mō mātou - Our Organisation
At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive.
What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa.
We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ō tātou uara - Our values
Our values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day. Our values are:
• Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Whanake – Be Bold
Tūhono mai - Join us
To view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via http://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process. If you have any questions about this role, please contact [email protected]
Applications close Monday 19th October at 5.00pm.
We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.
If you don’t tick all the boxes in this listing but think that you could be a great fit based on your unique background and skillset, we would welcome an application from you. Don’t hesitate, as we may review applications as they are received and reserve the right to close advertising early.