QA Automation Engineer (m/f/d) - AI-First Quality Engineering

job description We are modernizing a business-critical Payroll product where correctness matters. As part of this transformation, we are building quality engineering AI-first and automation-first from the beginning. This is not a traditional manual QA role, and it is also not a conventional test-automation role where AI is simply used to work faster. We want to use AI as a core part of how we understand existing behaviour, create test coverage, generate and manage test data, identify gaps, analyse failures and continuously improve quality. You will help establish this capability from the ground up. your tasks Build an AI-first, automation-first quality engineering approach for Payroll Create automated regression coverage for existing and newly modernized Payroll capabilities Use AI as the primary tool to discover, generate and continuously improve relevant test scenarios Create characterization and golden-master style tests for existing behaviour that is not sufficiently protected today Build automated API, integration and service-level testing Establish AI-driven test-data management as a core capability: generate realistic and controlled test data create variations and edge cases maintain reusable test-data sets identify missing scenarios manage data safely and reproducibly Work with Payroll domain experts to translate complex business rules into automated, repeatable validation Use AI to analyse existing system behaviour and identify regression risks Use AI to analyse test failures, cluster defects and help identify likely root causes Integrate automated quality controls and quality gates directly into the delivery process, making quality engineering part of development rather than a separate phase at the end your profile Several years of experience in QA automation, quality engineering or software testing, with a strong understanding of automated testing principles Practical experience with API, integration and backend testing as well as CI/CD pipelines and automated quality gates Good scripting skills and the ability to automate repetitive technical tasks Strong analytical thinking and the ability to understand complex business rules, working closely with engineers and domain experts An automation-first mindset: repetitive validation is automated by default, not performed manually An AI-first mindset: you naturally consider AI and automation when solving quality-engineering challenges. Payroll knowledge is not required, you will work closely with experienced Payroll domain experts. Mandatory: AI-first test data management A core requirement of this role is the ability to use AI as a fundamental part of the quality strategy when creating and managing test data. This includes generating representative Payroll scenarios, producing controlled variants and edge cases, identifying gaps in existing test data, and maintaining reusable, deterministic data sets as business rules evolve, ensuring test data remains explainable and suitable for automated regression testing. your benefits Collaboration within an empathetic and supportive team You can put your knowledge and personal strengths to good use, and continue to develop your skills and grow You’ll start with a structured onboarding process and learn ‘on the job’, through training sessions or informal learning formats and working in interdisciplinary and international teams You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from our hybrid work concept, which includes working in the office, from home, on the move and on workations A modern tech stack and agile working methods are a given A wide range of benefits, e.g. pension scheme, health management – right through to staff discounts Well-behaved dogs are very welcome at all our locations i look forward to receiving your application Svenja Krüßel D-49835 Wietmarschen-Lohne Tel.: 0170-7888740 E-Mail: Originally posted on Himalayas