Senior Data Test Engineer (Testing and Automation)

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK seeks a Senior Test Engineer to oversee testing strategies and lead development practices. You will ensure best practices in test engineering and improve quality, time and cost objectives. The role involves collaborating with teams, defining test approaches, and driving continuous integration practices. Candidates should have strong technical leadership skills and comprehensive knowledge of Agile and Waterfall methodologies. This role may require travel to digital hubs.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of testing activities to meet quality, time and cost objectives.
• Act as an escalation point for defects or issues in Test Engineering.
• Define the approach for test infrastructure setup.
• Monitor performance of the test suite to reduce technical debt.
• Drive standardisation by sharing reusable libraries and services.

Skills

Agile methodology

Waterfall methodology

Test infrastructure setup

Technical leadership

Continuous integration

Job description

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on Data Enablement, who are a key part of DWP's Digital modernisation programme. This area owns data enabling products and is responsible for the transformation to bring Data and Analytics managed data through new products. You will be working as part of the Strategic Modern Analytical Tooling programme, responsible for migrating and transforming the core analytical tools used by Data & Analytics, to modernise their SAS 9.4 analytical platform to SAS Viya. As a Senior Test Engineer you will define the overall testing strategy, provide technical leadership and guidance to test engineering teams, and have oversight of all testing activities. You will ensure that best practices are in place, and drive improvements by sharing knowledge and resources across teams. As part of the role, you will be required to travel regularly to the other digital hubs. The frequency of this will be discussed further should you be successful. If this sounds like you, apply now! Roles & Responsibilities include:

• Lead delivery of testing activities, ensuring that quality, time and cost objectives are met.
• Act as an escalation point for defects or issues preventing delivery of Test Engineering activities.
• Define the approach for test infrastructure setup and use outputs to drive technical improvements.
• Identify appropriate required technical test tools.
• Monitor performance of the test suite and identify how this can be improved by reducing technical debt.
• Drive standardisation by sharing reusable libraries and services, experience, and lessons learned with other DWP teams.
• Drive collaboration by aligning what teams are working on and highlighting the key dependencies, impacts and priorities.
• Develop appropriate test approaches and reporting mechanisms to be agreed with senior stakeholders
• Ensure that usability, accessibility, security, stability and capacity are embedded in the development of citizen services.

Methodology

• Collaborate and work together with other teams in the Software Development Lifecycle to align strategic goals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Agile and Waterfall delivery principles, methodology and tools.
• Lead the setup and adoption of continuous integration, delivery and deployment practices.

Development and Learning

• Lead reviews of test practices and provide guidance on improvements and lessons learned.
• Lead community discussions around the latest technology trends, tools, and best practices within Test Engineering.
• Commit to continuous personal development, learning and training.
• Support the professional development of Test Engineering team members through coaching, mentoring and access to appropriate learning resources.
• Play a significant role in recruitment & performance assessment activities within the department.

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .