Functional Test Engineer

Sepura Limited; Waterbeach; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Sepura Limited is seeking an experienced Functional Test Engineer in Waterbeach to join their product development teams. This position involves verifying features of complex embedded communication systems through rigorous functional testing and automation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in Agile environments, demonstrating proficiency in designing effective test cases and using various test automation tools. Strong collaboration with developers and stakeholders is essential for optimal product quality.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on functional testing experience within Agile/Scrum software teams.
• Experience testing complex or embedded systems.
• Proficiency designing functional test cases using structured techniques.

Responsibilities

• Verify new features and changes during the sprint.
• Review user stories and specifications for clarity and testability.
• Develop and execute automated test cases for LTE and TETRA products.

Skills

Functional testing experience

Agile methodology

Test automation tools (Selenium, Robot Framework)

Log analysis and debugging skills

Defect reporting skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field

ISTQB certification

Tools

Jira

Python

C#

Git

Job description

We are looking for experienced Functional Test Engineers with hands‑on software testing experience to join our product development teams.

You will work inside a software scrum team, performing functional testing on complex embedded communication systems (TETRA/LTE devices), ensuring features meet expected behaviour, reliability and customer expectations. This role requires a strong technical tester who can analyse requirements, design effective test cases, uncover edge cases, perform detailed investigations and contribute to maintaining product quality throughout the sprint. You will also contribute to automation of high‑value checks to support sprint efficiency and reduce regression cycles.

This role is primarily on‑site in our Waterbeach office, within a collaborative environment that supports rapid learning and innovation across electronics, hardware, mechanical and software design, development and testing.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a software scrum team, verifying new features and changes during the sprint.
• Read and understand requirements documentation provided by the Product Definition Team and Product Strategy Team.
• Review user stories, acceptance criteria and specifications to ensure clarity and testability.
• Participate in test planning, test execution, defect tracking and reporting to stakeholders.
• Design clear, thorough and traceable functional test cases and execute them across embedded devices, software components and APIs.
• Develop and execute automated test cases for Sepura’s LTE and TETRA products.
• Perform exploratory testing to uncover unexpected behaviours, usability issues and edge-cases.
• Validate fixes and confirm regression risk areas following developer changes.
• Analyse logs, system traces and debug output to support accurate defect reporting.
• Participate in sprint activities: planning, backlog refinement, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews and retrospectives.
• Collaborate closely with developers to investigate issues, interpret logs and reproduce complex defects.
• Work with Product Owners to ensure acceptance criteria are testable and complete.
• Provide clear concise updates on test progress, risks blockers and readiness.

Collaboration & Agile Responsibilities

• Participate in sprint activities: planning, backlog refinement, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews and retrospectives.
• Collaborate closely with developers to investigate issues, interpret logs and reproduce complex defects.
• Work with Product Owners to ensure acceptance criteria are testable and complete.
• Provide clear concise updates on test progress, risks blockers and readiness.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics, Telecommunications or a related field.
• ISTQB certification (preferred but not mandatory).
• Full clean driving licence and own car (role may require travel). Travel expenses paid.
• Potential future requirement for Security Clearance.

Must‑have Experience

• Strong hands-on functional testing experience within Agile/Scrum software teams.
• Experience testing complex or embedded systems (telecom, networking, radio, IoT, devices or similar).
• Proficiency designing functional test cases using structured techniques (equivalence, boundary, state-based, risk-based).
• Take responsibility for the development, maintenance and full ownership of the team’s Test Strategy.
• Ability to perform effective exploratory testing and identify edge-cases.
• Confident analysing logs, debugging issues and collaborating directly with developers.
• Strong defect reporting skills with clear reproduction steps, evidence and impact details.
• Strong knowledge of test automation tools (e.g. Selenium, Robot Framework, Appium) and experience writing automated test scripts (Python/C#) for sprint-level testing.
• Familiar with test management and issue tracking tools (Jira, Jama, Azure DevOps).
• Ability to analyse logs from embedded systems, Linux or radio firmware.
• Knowledge of protocol testing, RF testing and communication interfaces (TCP/IP, UDP, Serial, Bluetooth) is a plus.
• Experience using Git, Bitbucket or similar version control systems.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability – proactive in strengthening the test net.

Nice‑to‑have Experience

• Experience testing telecom protocols, embedded software or RF-based devices.
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI, DevOps).
• Familiarity with Git, branching strategies and code reviews related to automated tests.
• Experience with performance, soak or reliability testing (not essential).

Personal Attributes

• Strong attention to detail and methodical approach.
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative and works effectively within cross-functional Agile teams.
• Curious, proactive and eager to uncover issues before they reach customers.
• Takes ownership of quality and raises risks early.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in fast-paced iterative environments.
• Passionate about continuous improvement and personal development.