Lead Test Engineer - DWP - G6

Manchester Digital; Highgate; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital service provider in the UK is seeking a Lead Test Engineer to shape quality across digital products and services. You will define and drive quality strategy, mentor QA engineers, and ensure excellence in testing practices. This position offers you an opportunity to impact one of the UK’s significant digital transformations. Candidates may be required to travel to various digital hubs, making this role pivotal in driving continuous improvement within the organization.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in quality assurance and test strategy development.
• Ability to inspire teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of QA and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the test and quality assurance strategy for DWP Digital Payment Services.
• Embed quality into the development process from the start.
• Guide and mentor QA engineers across different competencies.
• Track and report on quality performance metrics.

Skills

Quality assurance strategy

Test frameworks

Automation pipelines

Mentorship

Collaboration

Job description

Within DWP Digital Payment Services (DPS), we’re modernising and transforming our digital products and services. As we integrate industry‑leading solutions, we need a Lead Test Engineer to define and drive our quality strategy. You’ll champion shift‑left practices, embedding quality from the start, and work closely with delivery, product and platform teams, suppliers and stakeholders to ensure excellence across the lifecycle. This is your chance to play a key role in one of the UK’s most significant digital transformations and make an impact that matters. Please note: As part of the role, you may be required to travel regularly to the other digital hubs. The frequency of this will be discussed further should you be successful.

Responsibilities

• Lead the way in shaping the test and quality assurance strategy for Digital Payment Services (DPS), driving continuous improvement at scale.
• Embed quality from the start, ensuring every solution whether built in house or integrated from industry leading providers meets the highest standards.
• Set the bar for excellence by refining test frameworks, tools and automation pipelines to deliver faster without compromising quality.
• Champion a culture of quality, inspiring teams to adopt best practices and embrace continuous improvement.
• Guide and mentor talented QA engineers across manual and automation disciplines, helping them grow and succeed.
• Be the expert voice on QA and regulatory requirements, influencing key forums and strategic decisions.
• Own the metrics that matter, tracking and reporting on quality performance to demonstrate impact.
• Collaborate across the board, working with internal teams and external partners to ensure seamless integration and full test coverage throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead defect management, driving best practice from identification to resolution.
• Stay ahead of the curve, bringing fresh ideas and emerging technologies into our QA approach.

Locations

Position may be located in one of the following locations: Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield. Please find further information on the corporate hub locations here. Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.

About the job

Job summary Join us in shaping the future of welfare in the UK DWP is delivering the biggest transformation of the welfare system in 60 years. We’re putting 22 million customers at the heart of everything we do, using modern digital tools and approaches to create simpler, faster and more accessible services that deliver real value for money. We are the UK’s largest payer, making around £280 billion in payments every year, a third of all BACS traffic. Our mission is clear: deliver money on time, in the right way, so people can live their lives.