Test Automation Engineer

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About the VitalityLife Systems

VitalityHealth, is a UK-based company specialising in private medical insurance sold to the UK market. The company is a subsidiary of Discovery Limited and alongside VitalityLife and Vitality Corporate Services it forms Discovery Limited's UK insurance offering. Working for VitalityHealth, you'll experience an exciting mix of creativity and innovation, within a framework of challenging objectives and a passion for delivering the best. We think work should be fun and sociable, and we want our people to get the most out of every day. Our people are chosen for their skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and attitude but above all, their belief that anything can be achieved. Help us change insurance for good and be part of the Vitality success story

Key Purpose

The Primary Function of this role is identifying and testing business functional requirements. Designs test cases and test scenarios based on an analysis of the business specifications. Needs to ensure that all the identified defects are resolved. Contributes to the continuous improvement of the Test process and methodologies. 

Role Overview 

Position: Intermediate Automation Test Engineer 

Location: Sandton (Johannesburg) 

 
Employment Type: Full-time Hybrid 

 
Experience: 3–5 Years 

Description: 

We are seeking a skilled Automation Test Engineer with expertise in both manual and automated testing for backend applications, focusing on REST APIs and PostgreSQL databases. This role requires a hands-on tester who can seamlessly switch between manual validation and API automation while taking full ownership of backend quality throughout the development lifecycle—from design to release. You will collaborate closely with development, product, and DevOps teams to ensure backend services are reliable, scalable, and thoroughly tested, delivering high standards of performance and security. Experience in Agile/Scrum environments is essential. 

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to

• Design, develop, and execute manual and automated test cases for backend services. 

• Perform REST API testing (manual and automated), including JSON/XML validation, authentication, and test data management. 

• Develop and maintain Java-based automation test suites to ensure robust coverage. 

• Validate data integrity using PostgreSQL and advanced SQL queries. 

• Analyze test results, identify defects, and manage them through resolution. 

• Participate in Agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives. 

• Collaborate closely with developers and business analysts for early defect detection and requirement clarity. 

• Extract requirements, design test cases, create/extract test data, and execute tests across end-to-end solutions. 

• Take part in formal requirement reviews and select optimal test design techniques. 

• Ensure completion of Functional, Integration, and End-to-End testing as required. 

• Continuously improve test coverage, automation stability, and overall testing processes. 

• Retain ownership of testing issues and follow up to ensure timely resolution. 

• Mentor the team in automations and ensure incremental adoption 

Personal Attributes and Skills 

• Strong team player with effective collaboration and communication skills  

• Comfortable working in an Agile/Scrum environment  

• Quality-focused with a strong sense of ownership and accountability  

• Good analytical and problem-solving skills  

• Proactive, adaptable, and open to continuous learning  

• Strong on both sides of knowledge transfer 

• Strong mentorship and training skills, teaching from first principals 

Education and Experience

Technical Skills and Tools 

• Core Java (8 or higher) – Intermediate level   

• Strong understanding of String handling and Collection frameworks   

• Strong experience with JDBC for database validation (PostgreSQL preferred)   

• REST Assured for API automation   

• Cucumber (BDD framework)   

• TestNG / JUnit   

• API Testing – Manual & Automation   

• Writing SQL Databases Queries 

• Strong working knowledge of SQL (PostgreSQL preferred)   

• Version Control: Git / Bitbucket / GitHub   

• Experience working with JIRA, Confluence, qTest.   

• Experience working with performance testing tools like JMETER    

Testing Expertise 

• Excellent skills in test case design, test execution, and automation development  

• Strong understanding of backend systems, APIs, and database validations  

• Ability to balance manual exploratory testing with structured automation 

Personal Attributes and Soft Skills 

• Strong team player with effective collaboration and communication skills  

• Comfortable working in an Agile/Scrum environment  

• Quality-focused with a strong sense of ownership and accountability  

• Good analytical and problem-solving skills  

• Proactive, adaptable, and open to continuous learning  

• Strong on both sides of knowledge transfer 

• Strong mentorship and training skills, teaching from first principals 

Skills:

• MS Office (intermediate)


• Analysis of Information (advanced)


• Verbal and written communication (advanced)


• MS Office (intermediate)


• Analysis of Information (advanced)


• Verbal and written communication (advanced)

Employment Equity  

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   
                             
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.