Software Quality Assurance Engineer (UI Automation) (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Quality Assurance Engineer (UI Automation) (m/f/d)

Company: JENOPTIK AG

Location: Monheim am Rhein, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Software Quality Assurance / Testing

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on ensuring the quality and reliability of a React and .NET web application through advanced UI test automation strategies.

• Key responsibilities include developing, maintaining, and scaling end-to-end UI automated test suites using JavaScript and Playwright.

• The position requires close collaboration with development teams to identify, reproduce, and resolve UI defects, emphasizing a proactive approach to quality assurance.

• Successful candidates will integrate automated UI test runs into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines, supporting efficient regression testing and continuous integration practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Software Quality Assurance Engineer," the emphasis on UI automation with specific tools like Playwright and JavaScript for React applications positions this role within a specialized area of QA, often referred to as Test Automation Engineering or Front-End Quality Engineering. The "m/f/d" (male/female/diverse) designation is standard in German job postings and indicates an inclusive hiring practice.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and scale robust end-to-end UI automated test suites using JavaScript and Playwright, ensuring comprehensive test coverage for the React and .NET web application.

• Design and execute automated UI test cases specifically tailored for complex React components and modern web interfaces, focusing on functional correctness and visual integrity.

• Collaborate closely with front-end (React) and back-end (.NET) developers to effectively identify, reproduce, and resolve UI defects and regression issues early in the development lifecycle.

• Build resilient page object models, maintain efficient UI locator strategies, and expertly handle dynamic UI elements to ensure high test reliability and minimize flakiness in automated test execution.

• Manage UI test suites, detailed bug reports, and quality documentation within Jira, ensuring clear communication and traceability of quality-related activities.

• Integrate automated Playwright UI test runs into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines to enable automated regression testing on every build, thereby accelerating feedback loops.

• Perform thorough functional UI testing, cross-browser compatibility testing, and visual regression testing across all target platforms and browsers.

• Analyze automated test execution results, capture essential artifacts (trace files, screenshots, videos), and provide clear, actionable reports and insights to the development team.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for UI testing strategies, adopt modern design patterns, and optimize test execution speed to enhance overall QA efficiency.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in modern JavaScript development, React best practices, and emerging UI testing tools and frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on front-end automation within a full-stack environment (.NET backend). The emphasis on "resilient page objects," "dynamic UI elements," and "minimal flakiness" indicates a need for advanced test automation engineering skills beyond basic script writing. Integration into CI/CD pipelines via Azure DevOps is a critical aspect, requiring understanding of DevOps principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of dedicated experience in software quality assurance, with a significant emphasis on UI test automation for web applications.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+) and demonstrable hands-on expertise with Playwright for web UI automation.

• Deep understanding of DOM manipulation, advanced CSS and XPath selectors, shadow DOM concepts, and effective strategies for handling dynamic React UI elements.

• Direct experience testing complex, modern React-based front-end applications.

• Familiarity with web architectures, specifically .NET back-ends, to effectively trace UI issues to their source and understand integration points.

• Proven experience integrating Playwright automated UI test suites into CI/CD pipelines, specifically within Azure DevOps.

• Strong working knowledge of Jira for defect tracking, sprint planning, and test management.

• Solid understanding of Agile development methodologies and modern QA best practices.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong analytical skills.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, fostering a collaborative, team-oriented mindset. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other UI automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium WebDriver, Cypress) for comparative understanding.

• Knowledge of visual regression testing tools and methodologies.

• Familiarity with performance testing concepts for front-end applications.

• Experience with containerization technologies like Docker for test environment setup.

• Understanding of accessibility testing standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "4+ years of experience" combined with specific tool expertise (Playwright, React, .NET, Azure DevOps) suggests this is not an entry-level role. The emphasis on handling "dynamic React UI elements" and building "resilient page objects" points towards a need for experienced automation engineers who can create stable and maintainable test suites, rather than junior testers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate experience in developing and maintaining automated test suites that have significantly improved product quality or reduced release cycles.

• Provide examples of how you've handled complex UI scenarios, dynamic elements, and asynchronous operations within automated tests.

• Showcase projects where you've integrated automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, detailing the tools and processes used.

• Include case studies or examples of how your test automation efforts have directly contributed to identifying critical bugs or preventing regressions, quantifying the impact where possible. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and documenting test strategies, test plans, and test cases for complex web applications.

• Examples of creating and maintaining page object models or similar design patterns for scalable test automation frameworks.

• Documentation illustrating how you've analyzed test results, reported defects, and contributed to process improvements within an Agile QA workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing test automation, a portfolio is crucial. Candidates should prepare to showcase actual code examples (e.g., GitHub repository), detailed case studies of automation projects, and evidence of integration into CI/CD pipelines. This goes beyond simply listing skills; it requires demonstrating practical application and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a mid-level Software Quality Assurance Engineer with 4+ years of experience in UI automation, specializing in Playwright and JavaScript, in the Monheim am Rhein region of Germany, the estimated annual gross salary range is between €55,000 and €75,000. This estimate accounts for the specific technical skills required, the company's industry, and regional cost of living.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.

• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and salary reviews.

• Access to modern office facilities and equipment.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically from Monday to Friday. While flexibility may be offered, core hours are expected for team collaboration and CI/CD integration activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from German job boards and salary aggregators for similar roles in North Rhine-Westphalia, adjusted for the specific technologies (Playwright, React, .NET) and required experience level. Official compensation details will be provided by JENOPTIK AG. The image in the job description likely pertains to company-specific benefits not detailed textually.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates in the high-tech optics and optoelectronics industry, providing innovative solutions for various sectors including semiconductor, industrial, medical, and automotive. This implies a focus on precision, cutting-edge technology, and rigorous quality standards.

Company Size: JENOPTIK AG is a medium to large-sized global technology group, employing thousands of individuals worldwide. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, but potentially also opportunities for impact within specific teams.

Founded: JENOPTIK AG has a long history, tracing its roots back to the foundation of Carl Zeiss in Jena in 1846. This long-standing heritage indicates stability, deep expertise, and a strong foundation in scientific and engineering excellence.

Team Structure:

• The QA Engineer will likely be part of a dedicated software development team responsible for the React and .NET web application. This team will include front-end developers, back-end developers, and potentially a product owner or scrum master.

• The reporting structure would typically involve a QA Lead or Engineering Manager, with direct collaboration across development disciplines.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring close interaction with developers to understand application architecture, troubleshoot issues, and ensure seamless integration of automated tests. Methodology:

• The team likely follows Agile development methodologies (e.g., Scrum or Kanban), emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability.

• Expect a data-driven approach to quality assurance, where test results and defect metrics inform development priorities and process improvements.

• Workflow optimization and automation are key, especially with the integration of automated UI tests into CI/CD pipelines.

Company Website: https://www.jenoptik.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and high-tech industry focus suggest a culture that values precision, innovation, and robust engineering. The QA role will operate within this context, requiring a meticulous approach to testing and automation. The integration with Azure DevOps and React/ .NET points to a modern development stack within a well-established organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level to Senior role within the QA Engineering discipline, specifically focused on UI Test Automation. It requires 4+ years of specialized experience, indicating a level beyond junior QA roles. The responsibilities involve not just execution but also development, maintenance, and improvement of automation frameworks and strategies, suggesting a significant level of autonomy and technical leadership within the automation domain.

Reporting Structure: The QA Engineer will likely report to a QA Manager, Engineering Manager, or a Lead Test Automation Engineer. They will work closely with a cross-functional development team, including React developers, .NET developers, and potentially DevOps engineers.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on the quality, stability, and release velocity of the web application. By developing robust UI automation, the engineer will directly contribute to reducing critical bugs reaching production, improving user experience, and enabling faster, more confident software releases through efficient CI/CD integration. This directly supports the company's goal of delivering high-quality, innovative products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced UI automation techniques, explore other testing domains like performance or security testing, or specialize in specific testing frameworks.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior QA Automation Engineer role, potentially leading automation initiatives, mentoring junior engineers, or architecting test automation frameworks.

• Cross-functional: Transition into roles within the broader DevOps or Software Development lifecycle, leveraging a strong understanding of quality and automation.

• Technical Skills: Expand knowledge in related areas such as cloud platforms (Azure), containerization (Docker), or advanced JavaScript/React development practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within test automation engineering. The emphasis on Playwright and React suggests an opportunity to become a subject matter expert in these modern technologies within the company. The integration with CI/CD also opens doors to understanding and contributing to the broader DevOps landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Monheim am Rhein, Germany. This indicates a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration, team meetings, and access to company resources are standard.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Monheim am Rhein, Germany. Candidates should verify specific office amenities and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative office setting designed to foster teamwork and communication. This may include open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated workspaces.

• Access to modern development and testing tools, including high-performance workstations, necessary software licenses, and potentially specialized testing hardware or devices.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with fellow QA engineers, developers, and other team members, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. While the role is on-site, there might be some flexibility in start and end times, subject to team and project needs. The focus on CI/CD integration may occasionally require attention outside of standard hours if critical issues arise during build deployments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is a key characteristic. Candidates should assess their comfort with an in-office environment and the potential benefits of direct team interaction versus remote work. The company's global presence might also mean occasional interaction with international colleagues across different time zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more technical interviews focusing on JavaScript, Playwright, React testing concepts, and automation best practices. This may include live coding exercises or discussions about past projects.

• Case Study/Take-Home Assignment: A practical exercise might be assigned to evaluate your ability to design and implement automated UI tests for a given scenario, or to analyze and improve existing test code.

• Team/Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager and potentially team members to discuss your approach to collaboration, problem-solving, and how you align with the team's methodology and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Code Quality: Ensure any code samples in your portfolio are clean, well-documented, and follow established coding standards. Focus on demonstrating your ability to write maintainable and scalable automation scripts.

• Problem-Solving: Highlight specific challenges you faced in previous automation projects (e.g., handling complex UI elements, flaky tests) and clearly explain your solutions and the impact they had.

• Framework Design: If you've designed or significantly contributed to an automation framework, be prepared to explain its architecture, design patterns used (like Page Object Model), and how it supports efficient testing.

• CI/CD Integration: Showcase examples or explain your experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps in this case), detailing the setup and benefits achieved.

• Metrics & Reporting: Be ready to discuss how you report on test results, defect trends, and the overall quality of the application, demonstrating how your work provides actionable insights.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice writing JavaScript code, focusing on common patterns and asynchronous operations.

• Familiarize yourself with Playwright API documentation and common use cases for web UI automation.

• Review concepts related to React component testing and how to interact with them via automation.

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with Jira for bug tracking and Azure DevOps for CI/CD.

• Consider preparing a brief presentation or discussion points for a sample automation project from your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "UI Automation," "JavaScript," "Playwright," and "React" suggests that the technical interviews and any practical assignments will heavily scrutinize your hands-on skills in these specific areas. A well-prepared portfolio that demonstrates practical application of these skills will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Playwright: The core tool for developing and executing web UI automated test suites. Proficiency in its API, advanced features, and integration capabilities is essential.

• JavaScript (ES6+): The primary programming language for writing automation scripts. Strong understanding of modern JavaScript features is required.

• React: Familiarity with React component structure and how to interact with them programmatically through automation is crucial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Jira: Used for defect tracking, test case management, sprint planning, and overall quality documentation. Experience in managing test artifacts and workflows within Jira is expected.

• Azure DevOps: The platform for CI/CD pipeline integration. Experience in setting up and maintaining automated test execution within Azure Pipelines is a key requirement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how the UI interacts with back-end systems (.NET) is important for effective troubleshooting.

• Automation within the context of CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps is a significant aspect of this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is clearly defined: JavaScript/Playwright for automation, React for the front-end, .NET for the back-end, Jira for test management, and Azure DevOps for CI/CD. Candidates must demonstrate practical experience with these tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality Focus: A strong commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable software through diligent testing and robust automation practices.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on working closely with development teams, fostering open communication, and sharing knowledge to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset geared towards constantly refining testing strategies, improving automation frameworks, and optimizing processes for greater efficiency.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance testing capabilities and stay at the forefront of QA practices.

• Precision: Reflecting the company's heritage in optics and optoelectronics, a meticulous and detail-oriented approach to testing is highly valued.

Collaboration Style:

• The team likely operates with an Agile, collaborative approach, encouraging direct communication and feedback loops between QA, development, and potentially product management.

• Expect regular team meetings, stand-ups, and retrospectives to discuss progress, challenges, and process improvements.

• Knowledge sharing is encouraged, whether through pair programming, code reviews for automation scripts, or internal documentation and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's background in high-tech optics suggests a culture that values precision, thoroughness, and technical excellence. The QA team will likely embody these values, contributing to the overall quality and reliability that is critical in such industries.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Test Stability: Dealing with the inherent flakiness of UI tests, especially in dynamic applications, and implementing strategies to ensure high reliability.

• Keeping Pace with Development: Ensuring automated test suites evolve in sync with frequent application updates and new feature deployments in a React environment.

• Cross-Browser/Platform Consistency: Effectively testing and ensuring consistent UI behavior across various browsers, operating systems, and screen resolutions.

• Integration Complexity: Seamlessly integrating UI automation into the Azure DevOps CI/CD pipeline, troubleshooting build failures, and optimizing execution times.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Playwright Techniques: Deepening expertise in Playwright's advanced features, parallel execution, reporting, and custom assertion capabilities.

• React Ecosystem: Gaining a more profound understanding of React development patterns and how they impact testability.

• CI/CD Best Practices: Expanding knowledge in setting up and optimizing CI/CD pipelines within Azure DevOps for various testing stages.

• Emerging Testing Tools: Exploring and evaluating new tools and frameworks in the UI automation landscape.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Opportunities to learn about .NET development, DevOps principles, or other aspects of the software development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a role focused on modern web UI automation. Successfully navigating these will require strong analytical skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, which in turn provides excellent growth opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to building a robust and scalable UI automation framework for a React application. What design patterns would you employ?" (Focus on Page Object Model, modularity, error handling).

• "How would you handle dynamic UI elements and asynchronous operations in Playwright tests to ensure stability and reliability?" (Discuss waits, selectors, retry mechanisms).

• "Walk me through your experience integrating UI automation tests into a CI/CD pipeline using Azure DevOps. What were the key steps and challenges?" (Detail pipeline configuration, triggers, reporting).

• "How do you prioritize test cases for automation? What criteria do you use to decide what to automate and what to leave for manual testing?" (Focus on risk, frequency of execution, ROI).

• "Describe a complex UI defect you uncovered. How did you reproduce it, what was the root cause, and how did your automation help prevent it in the future?" (Prepare a specific case study). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about JENOPTIK AG and our industry?" (Research the company's products, markets, and values).

• "How do you approach collaboration with developers and other team members?" (Highlight communication, feedback, and problem-solving skills).

• "Describe a time you disagreed with a team member on a technical approach. How did you handle it?" (Focus on constructive conflict resolution).

• "What are your expectations for a QA team's role within an Agile development process?" (Emphasize proactive involvement, feedback, and quality ownership). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly stating the problem, your solution (automation framework/scripts), the technologies used, and the results achieved.

• Demonstrate Code: Be prepared to show snippets of your code, explaining key sections and design choices. Focus on clarity, maintainability, and efficiency.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible. For example, "Reduced regression testing time by X%," "Identified Y critical bugs before release," or "Increased test coverage by Z%."

• CI/CD Integration: If possible, show or describe how your automation was integrated into a CI/CD pipeline, including screenshots or diagrams of the workflow.

• Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the challenges you faced and how your technical skills and creative problem-solving led to successful outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be heavily technical, focusing on practical application of JavaScript, Playwright, and automation principles. Having a strong, well-prepared portfolio that showcases your ability to build and maintain effective UI automation solutions is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Software Quality Assurance Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the official JENOPTIK AG careers portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience with JavaScript, Playwright, React, .NET, Jira, and Azure DevOps. If you have a portfolio or GitHub repository, ensure it's easily accessible and showcases relevant automation projects.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your years of experience in UI test automation and specific tools used. Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., "Reduced manual testing time by 50% through automation").

• Interview Preparation: Practice coding exercises in JavaScript and be ready to discuss your approach to Playwright automation, framework design, and CI/CD integration. Prepare specific examples from your experience to answer behavioral and technical questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with JENOPTIK AG's products, services, and company values. Understand their position in the high-tech optics and optoelectronics industry to better align your responses with their mission and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with JENOPTIK AG before making application decisions.