QA Test Manager

Overview We currently have an exciting opportunity for a QA Test Manager to join our R&D team in Newcastle. As QA Test Manager, you will have responsibility for the delivery of several on-train product streams and reporting solutions, as well as managing and developing a small team. This role will be based from our Newcastle Head Office with a hybrid working arrangement. About Nomad Digital Nomad Digital is the world's leading provider of passenger and fleet connectivity solutions to the railway industry. Founded in 2002, and headquartered in the UK, currently serving more than 80+ global customers - in more than 40 countries - Nomad designs, builds, deploys and manages passenger Wi-Fi and on-board passenger infotainment systems. Nomad also provides remote online condition-based monitoring and maintenance solutions for optimising fleet management, operational performance and improving fuel economy. When you join Nomad Digital, you will join a forward thinking, fast-growing, fun environment with access to some of the very latest technology in its field. You will work with experts who innovate collaboratively, creating an environment of team work and trustworthiness. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Lead QA Test Team in Embedded System Integration, Functional and Non-functional tests, including testing of deployment and configuration processes. Define and drive the QA team’s AI-augmented testing strategy, evaluating and adopting AI-assisted test generation, execution and maintenance tools. Champion the use of AI-assisted test case generation and self-healing test automation to reduce manual test maintenance overhead. Evaluate AI/ML-based tools for defect prediction and risk-based test prioritisation to focus testing effort where it has the greatest impact. Oversee integration of AI-driven checks into the CI/CD pipeline, including automated visual regression testing and AI-assisted root cause analysis of test failures. Establish governance and review processes for AI-generated test artefacts (test cases, scripts, data) to ensure accuracy, traceability and compliance. Drive the test automation strategy and guide the team in the use of Agile test approach. Work with team Test Lead and SMEs to plan test strategy, provide test impact Assessments and produce test documentation. People Management of QA team, including Coaching & Mentoring, recognising when it is appropriate to escalate matters within the team to ensure that objectives are met. Provide weekly KPI Reporting to key stakeholders to ensure issues and opportunities are identified in a timely manner, diffusing when necessary, escalating as appropriate Coordinate with test leads on remote sites and external global partners to consolidate reporting and test results. Mentor and upskill QA engineers in prompt engineering and the effective oversight of AI-generated testing outputs. Ensure responsible use of AI tools within the QA function, safeguarding data privacy and security when using external or cloud-based AI platforms. Support Internal and External audits of the QA function, covering ISO, EN and SIL compliance Develop and own testing strategies, templates and assets Qualifications Requirements: Degree preferable, or significant experience in a technical discipline. ISTQB accreditation. ISTQB Advanced Test Manager certification or equivalent desirable Solid understanding of network principles – IP subnetting, Routing protocols, Layer 2 protocols & traffic flows. Good level of Linux literacy desirable. Electronics and electrical safety background desirable. Familiarity with AI-assisted testing platforms and tools (e.g. AI-based test generation, self-healing automation, visual AI testing). Working understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI/ML and large language models as applied to software testing Experience Requirements Minimum of 5 years Test Leadership experience, including working with teams distributed over several countries. Experience of managing and developing a team, supervising, and assigning work to others. Experience piloting or implementing AI-based testing tools within a QA or test automation function. Experience leading a team through adoption of new tools or ways of working. Agile lifecycle and transformation experience is essential. Experience of managing Test Automation and migration of manual test sets. Experience of Risk Based test methodologies. Extensive experience of test lifecycle and SDLC adherence. Embedded System Test experience is desirable, as well as an awareness of various hardware architectures. Key Behavioral Competencies: Strong Leadership skills, including ability to lead and develop teams and individuals. Technical aptitude. Intellectual curiosity and openness to continuously learning emerging testing technologies. Healthy scepticism and critical thinking when validating AI-generated outputs rather than accepting them at face value. Sound judgement regarding the responsible and secure use of AI tools. Attention to detail. Pragmatic, structured and calm approach Ability to work well in fast paced and pressurised situations. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal customers. Proactive management of multiple product workstreams. Ability to multitask effectively, ensuring set deadlines are met. Benefits: Health Care Cash Plan. Life Cover & Critical Illness Cover. Contributory Pension Scheme via Aviva. 25 Days of Annual Leave with enhanced leave based on tenure. Annual Leave Purchase Scheme Electric Vehicle Lease scheme Workplace Nursery Scheme Employee Discount Platform Free Gym Access (Newcastle Office) Employee Referral Scheme / Employee Recognition Scheme. Company Sick Plan. Our Commitment: Nomad Digital is committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer, as well as providing equal opportunities in employment and freedom from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age, race, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marital or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, religion or beliefs. We encourage and welcome all job applicants, especially those from diverse backgrounds and ensure everyone is treated equally and without discrimination. Where possible we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements or appropriate reasonable adjustments on request. To discuss further, please email HR@nomadrail.com .