Senior Data Test Engineer (Testing and Automation)

Government Recruitment Service; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to lead testing activities as part of their Digital modernization program. The successful candidate will define testing strategies, provide technical guidance, and drive improvements in testing practices. Responsibilities include leading delivery, monitoring test performance, and ensuring collaboration across teams. Strong knowledge of Agile and Waterfall methodologies is essential. This position requires travel to other digital hubs.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in test engineering and defining testing strategies.
• Strong understanding of Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Ability to lead teams and drive improvements in testing practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of testing activities within quality, time, and cost objectives.
• Act as an escalation point for defects in Test Engineering activities.
• Define test infrastructure setup and drive technical improvements.
• Monitor and improve test suite performance.
• Drive standardisation and collaboration across DWP teams.

Skills

Test engineering

Agile methodology

Waterfall methodology

Continuous integration

Team collaboration

Job description

Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see 'Selection process details'.

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

• 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.