Lead Python Test Automation Engineer

We are looking for a Lead QA Automation Engineer with strong Python expertise and hands-on experience with AI-assisted engineering practices to join our engineering team. In this role, you will combine advanced test automation skills with a modern approach to AI-assisted software quality engineering, taking ownership of QA initiatives and driving improvements across the testing lifecycle.

You will work with LLMs and AI-assisted workflows to decompose complex QA tasks, create and manage engineering artifacts, improve test design and automation efficiency, and critically evaluate AI-generated output. At the same time, you will apply strong engineering judgment to build reliable automation solutions and continuously improve QA practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated tests for user-facing and back-office applications using Python and Pytest
• Develop and maintain UI and REST API automation, expanding automated coverage across different layers of the application
• Apply AI-assisted engineering practices to test analysis, scenario design, automation development, documentation, and other QA activities
• Decompose complex QA and engineering tasks into clear, structured steps suitable for AI-assisted workflows
• Create, use, and manage relevant artifacts as part of AI-assisted development and testing processes
• Analyze requirements, identify gaps and ambiguities, and translate them into clear, testable scenarios
• Apply Specification-Driven Development (SDD) principles and recognize common AI-assisted engineering anti-patterns
• Critically evaluate AI-generated output and validate its correctness, quality, and applicability
• Work with databases, perform SQL queries, and validate data programmatically
• Contribute to non-functional testing and broader QA automation initiatives
• Review and improve existing QA frameworks, processes, and automation practices
• Collaborate closely with developers, engineers, and stakeholders to introduce effective and sustainable QA approaches
• Take ownership of QA initiatives, proactively identify improvement opportunities, and drive them through implementation

Requirements

• Strong commercial experience with Python and test automation
• Solid hands-on experience with Pytest, Pydantic, and Requests
• Strong experience with UI automation, including Page Object Model, CSS selectors, and XPath
• Experience with REST API testing and Allure
• Practical understanding of modern LLMs, including their capabilities, limitations, and guardrails
• Experience applying AI tools in software engineering or QA workflows
• Understanding of how to structure and decompose tasks for effective AI-assisted execution
• Ability to critically assess AI-generated code, test scenarios, documentation, and other artifacts
• Understanding of Specification-Driven Development (SDD) and common AI-assisted engineering anti-patterns
• Basic knowledge of SQL and relational databases
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with incomplete or evolving requirements
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to drive improvements constructively and handle different perspectives
• High level of ownership, initiative, and ability to work independently

Nice to have

• Experience with Faker, Locust, Allure TestOps, MySQL, or PostgreSQL
• Experience introducing or improving QA practices and automation frameworks within an established engineering environment
• Experience with performance or load testing
• Experience applying AI-assisted approaches to software quality engineering

Benefits

We connect like-minded people

• Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impact
• Enjoyable working environment, whether it is the vibrant office or the comfort of your own home
• Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months per year
• Relocation opportunities within our offices in 55+ countries
• Corporate and social events

We invest in your growth

• Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programs
• Certifications, including GCP, Azure and AWS
• Unlimited access to EPAM's internal learning database
• Free English classes with certified teachers

We cover it all

• Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Monetary bonuses for engaging in the referral program
• Comprehensive medical & family care package
• Five trust days per year (sick leave without a medical certificate)
• Benefits package (sports activities, a variety of stores and services)

We connect like-minded people

• Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impact
• Enjoyable working environment, whether it is the vibrant office or the comfort of your home
• Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months per year
• Relocation opportunities within our offices in 55+ countries
• Corporate and social events

We invest in your growth

• Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programs
• Certifications, including GCP, Azure and AWS
• Unlimited access to EPAM's internal learning database
• Free English classes with certified teachers

We cover it all

• Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Monetary bonuses for engaging in the referral program
• Comprehensive medical & family care package
• Four trust days per year for personal needs
• Discounts for fitness clubs
• Benefits package (hotels, restaurants, stores and services)

We connect like-minded people:

• Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impact
• Enjoyable working environment, whether it is the vibrant office or the comfort of your own home
• Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months per year
• Relocation opportunities within our offices in 55+ countries
• Corporate and social events

We invest in your growth:

• Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programs
• Certifications, including GCP, Azure and AWS
• Unlimited access to EPAM's internal learning database
• Free English classes with certified teachers
• Discounts in local language schools, including online courses for the Kazakh language

We cover it all:

• Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Monetary bonuses for engaging in the referral program
• Medical & family care package
• Six trust days per year (sick leave without a medical certificate)
• Coverage of psychology sessions of your choice
• Benefits package (sports activities, a variety of stores and services)
• Housing support program: preferential mortgage access via Otbasy Bank partnership

We connect like-minded people:

• Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impact
• Enjoyable working environment, whether it is the vibrant office or the comfort of your own home
• Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months per year
• Relocation opportunities within our offices in 55+ countries
• Corporate and social events

We invest in your growth:

• Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programs
• Certifications, including GCP, Azure and AWS
• Unlimited access to EPAM's internal learning database
• Free English classes with certified teachers

We cover it all:

• Monetary bonuses for engaging in the referral program
• Medical & family care package
• Six trust days per year (sick leave without a medical certificate)
• Coverage of psychology sessions of your choice
• Discounts for fitness clubs and sports programs
• Benefits package (sports activities, a variety of stores and services)

We connect like-minded people:

• Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impact
• Enjoyable working environment, whether it is the vibrant office or the comfort of your own home
• Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months per year
• Relocation opportunities within our offices in 55+ countries
• Corporate and social events

We invest in your growth:

• Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programs
• Certifications, including GCP, Azure and AWS
• Unlimited access to EPAM's internal learning database
• Free English classes with certified teachers

• Discounts in local language schools, including offline courses for the Uzbek language

We cover it all:

• Monetary bonuses for engaging in the referral program
• Medical & family care package
• Four trust days per year (sick leave without a medical certificate)
• Discounts for fitness clubs, dance schools and sports programs
• Benefits package (sports activities, a variety of stores and services)

We connect like-minded people:

• Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impact
• Opportunity to work abroad for up to two months per year

We invest in your growth:

• Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programs
• Unlimited access to EPAM's internal learning database
• Free English classes with certified teachers

We cover it all:

• Comprehensive medical & family care package
• Seven trust days per year (sick leave without a medical certificate)
• Discounts from 800+ partners (sports activities, restaurants, stores and services)