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: Quality Assurance / Software Testing

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

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

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

• Key activities involve integrating automated tests into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and managing test documentation within Jira.

• The position demands a strong understanding of modern front-end development practices, particularly with React, and the ability to collaborate effectively with development teams to resolve UI defects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title specifies "Software Quality Assurance Engineer," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily lean towards a specialized "UI Automation Engineer" role within a broader QA function. The emphasis on React, JavaScript, and Playwright positions this as a critical contributor to the front-end development lifecycle, bridging the gap between development and deployment for user interface quality.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

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

• Design and execute automated UI test cases specifically tailored for React components, modern web interfaces, and complex user interactions.

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

• Build resilient page object models, maintain effective UI locator strategies, and adeptly handle dynamic UI elements to guarantee high test reliability and minimize flakiness in automated test runs.

• Manage UI test suites, detailed defect reports, and quality documentation within Jira, facilitating efficient sprint planning and tracking of quality metrics.

• Integrate automated Playwright UI test runs into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated regression testing on every build and ensuring continuous quality feedback.

• Perform thorough functional UI testing, cross-browser compatibility checks, and visual regression testing across all target platforms and browsers to guarantee a consistent user experience.

• Analyze automated test execution results meticulously, capture essential artifacts such as trace files, screenshots, and videos, and provide clear, actionable reports to the development team for prompt issue resolution.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for UI testing strategies, design patterns, and test execution speed, fostering a culture of efficiency and innovation within the QA process.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in modern JavaScript development, emerging UI testing tools, and best practices to continuously enhance the team's automation capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and integrated approach to quality assurance. The role requires not just execution but also design, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the automation framework. The specific mention of React components, page objects, and handling dynamic elements indicates a need for deep technical expertise in front-end automation beyond basic script writing.

🎓 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 progressive experience in software quality assurance, with a significant focus and proven track record in UI test automation.

Required Skills:

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

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

• Direct, practical experience testing complex React-based front-end applications, including component-level and end-to-end flows.

• Proven experience integrating automated Playwright UI test suites into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines for automated regression testing.

• Strong knowledge and practical application of Jira for defect tracking, sprint planning, test case management, and overall quality reporting.

• Familiarity with modern web architectures, specifically .NET back-ends, enabling effective tracing of UI issues to their root causes.

• Solid understanding of Agile development methodologies, including Scrum or Kanban, and modern QA best practices.

• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, coupled with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset essential for cross-functional teamwork. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other JavaScript testing frameworks (e.g., Jest, Cypress) for broader context.

• Familiarity with visual regression testing tools and methodologies.

• Knowledge of containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) for test environment setup.

• Experience with performance testing or security testing principles as they relate to UI.

• Understanding of front-end build tools and package managers (e.g., Webpack, npm, yarn).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "4+ years" suggests a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The requirement for deep understanding of DOM, selectors, and dynamic elements points towards a need for someone who can troubleshoot complex UI automation challenges and build robust, maintainable test frameworks, not just record and playback scripts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of end-to-end UI automation frameworks developed using JavaScript and Playwright, demonstrating robust design patterns (e.g., Page Object Model).

• Include case studies detailing how automated tests were integrated into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Azure DevOps) to provide continuous feedback on build quality.

• Provide evidence of managing test cases, bugs, and test cycles within Jira, illustrating effective test management practices.

• Demonstrate experience in handling complex UI scenarios, dynamic elements, and ensuring high test reliability and minimal flakiness.

• Present metrics on test execution speed, defect detection rates, and the impact of automation on release cycles. Process Documentation:

• Documented workflows for developing and maintaining UI automation test suites, including version control strategies and code review processes.

• Clear guidelines for identifying automation candidates, writing effective test cases, and implementing reusable automation components.

• Established procedures for analyzing test results, reporting defects, and tracking their resolution through to closure within Jira.

• Processes for ensuring cross-browser compatibility and visual consistency through automated testing methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI Automation Engineer role, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of automation skills is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their code, explain design choices, and articulate the impact of their automation efforts on product quality and release velocity. The emphasis on Jira and Azure DevOps suggests that integration and workflow management are key components of the role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer with 4+ years of experience in UI automation specializing in JavaScript/Playwright, located in Germany, the estimated annual gross salary range is €55,000 - €75,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan options.

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

• Generous paid time off (vacation days, public holidays, special leave).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Access to modern office facilities and a collaborative work environment.

• Employee assistance programs and potential for company-sponsored events.

Working Hours: Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. There may be some flexibility, but the role is primarily on-site, requiring consistent presence during core business hours for team collaboration and development activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general German market data for experienced QA engineers in the technology sector, adjusted for the specific skill set (UI automation, Playwright, React, Azure DevOps). Actual compensation will be determined by JENOPTIK AG based on internal salary bands and the candidate's profile. The provided benefits are typical for a company of this nature and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: High-tech optics and optoelectronics industry, focusing on photonics solutions for various markets including semiconductor, industrial, and medical technology. This context implies a need for precision, reliability, and robust engineering practices in software development.

Company Size: JENOPTIK AG is a medium-to-large enterprise, employing thousands of people globally. This suggests a structured yet dynamic work environment with established processes and opportunities for impact within a significant organization.

Founded: JENOPTIK AG was founded in 1991, indicating a company with a long-standing history and deep expertise in its core technological fields. This stability provides a solid foundation for career growth and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The QA team is likely integrated within broader development teams, working closely with front-end (React) and back-end (.NET) engineers.

• Reporting structure will involve a QA Lead or Engineering Manager, with direct collaboration across multiple development pods or project teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, involving developers, product owners, and potentially DevOps engineers to ensure seamless integration of automated testing into the development pipeline. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to quality assurance, leveraging test results and metrics to inform development decisions and process improvements.

• Emphasis on Agile methodologies, likely Scrum or Kanban, for iterative development and continuous feedback loops.

• Workflow optimization through automation, aiming to increase efficiency, reduce manual effort, and accelerate release cycles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The