Explore our vision: Incredible, effortless recruitment
IT Recruitment

How to Hire a QA Test Engineer in the UK (2026)

Making sure software works before your customers find out it doesn't. Hiring a QA Test Engineer.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Charles leads Coburg Banks IT, placing technology professionals from helpdesk to CTO for businesses across the UK.
Mark's Linkedin Profile

A QA Test Engineer stops bugs reaching your customers - through manual testing, automation and a truly critical eye. Good QA is the difference between a product people trust and one they abandon.

⚡ In short

A UK QA Test Engineer typically earns £35k-£60k depending on automation skill. Expect a placement in 4-8 weeks. Coburg Banks recruits them with no fee until your hire starts.

£35k-£60k

Typical base salary

4-8 weeks

Time to hire

48 hrs

To first shortlist

12 wks

Replacement guarantee

What to look for in a QA Test Engineer

1

Testing mindset

Ask how they'd try to break a feature - the good ones think like an adversary.

2

Manual and automation balance

Match the mix of manual and automated testing to your needs and their skills.

3

Attention to detail

QA lives in the detail. Screen for thoroughness and clear bug reporting.

How to run the hire

1. Define the testing need
Be clear on manual versus automation, the stack and the product.

2. Score for rigour
Weight a genuine testing mindset over tool familiarity.

3. Source and screen
Approach candidates with relevant testing experience.

4. Test with a scenario
Give a feature and ask how they'd test it - listen for edge cases.

5. Reference quality
Confirm their work reduced escaped bugs.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire a QA Test Engineer?

Fees typically run 15-20% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront.

Nothing is due until your hire starts.

How long does it take to hire a QA Test Engineer?

Usually 4-8 weeks.

Automation skill and specific frameworks are the main variables.

What does a QA Test Engineer do?

A QA Test Engineer checks that software works as intended before release - through manual testing, automated tests, and finding the edge cases developers miss.

They protect quality and the customer's trust in your product.

Do I need manual or automation testing?

Usually both. Automation covers repetitive checks at scale; manual testing catches the subtle, exploratory issues.

We'll help you scope the right balance and find someone who fits it.

What should I ask a QA Test Engineer at interview?

Try: Here's a feature - how would you test it?
Tell me about a serious bug you caught.
How do you decide what to automate? and How do you write a clear bug report?

Do you recruit automation and manual testers?

Yes, across manual, automation and hybrid QA roles.

We match the skill balance to your needs, from exploratory manual testing to automation framework specialists.

External citations

Ready to hire your next QA Test Engineer?

Tell us about your role and a specialist IT recruiter will call you. No fee until your hire starts.