Senior DV Software Test Specialist

NPAworldwide; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career coach

Regular training

Wellbeing support

Annual away days

Lunch on site

Job summary

NPAworldwide is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to join a small, agile delivery team focused on secure, mission-critical software for the UK Government and Defence sector. You will champion quality across the development lifecycle and ensure testing is embedded in CI/CD pipelines.

The role emphasizes automated UI/API testing, non-functional testing (security, performance, accessibility) and collaboration with engineers, DevOps, and product teams. DV clearance is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience in manual and automated software testing.
• Experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks.
• Knowledge of Agile delivery methodologies.
• Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of API, UI, integration and end-to-end testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain automated test frameworks for UI, API and end-to-end testing.
• Deliver both manual and automated testing across complex software solutions.
• Embed quality engineering practices throughout the Software Development Lifecycle.
• Work within Agile teams using TDD, BDD, ATDD and Continuous Testing.
• Design and execute functional, integration, regression and exploratory testing.
• Perform non-functional testing including performance, security, accessibility and OAT.
• Collaborate with developers and DevOps engineers to embed quality in CI/CD pipelines.
• Mentor colleagues and promote QA best practices.

Skills

Manual testing

Automated testing

CI/CD integration

Agile delivery

API testing

UI testing

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

Playwright

Selenium

Cypress

WebdriverIO

Cucumber

Robot Framework

Serenity BDD

Rest Assured

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about quality engineering and ensuring software is secure, reliable, and built to the highest standards? Do you enjoy working with modern automation frameworks, influencing engineering best practice, and solving complex technical challenges alongside talented multidisciplinary teams? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

About Our Client

Our client is a leading technology consultancy delivering secure, mission‑critical solutions to the UK Government and Defence sector. Their work supports some of the nation’s most important programmes, helping government departments make critical decisions that strengthen the UK’s security and prosperity. With a team of more than 450 highly skilled professionals, they combine technical excellence with a collaborative, people‑first culture. Every project delivers real‑world impact, giving engineers the opportunity to work on challenging problems while contributing to the UK’s national security.

The Role

As a Senior Test Engineer, you’ll become part of a small, agile delivery team responsible for assuring the quality of secure, mission‑critical software throughout the entire development lifecycle. Working closely with software engineers, DevOps specialists, architects and product teams, you’ll champion quality from the earliest stages of development, ensuring testing is embedded throughout modern CI/CD pipelines.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, develop and maintain automated test frameworks for UI, API and end‑to‑end testing.
• Deliver both manual and automated testing across complex software solutions.
• Embed quality engineering practices throughout the Software Development Lifecycle.
• Work within Agile teams using modern engineering approaches including TDD, BDD, ATDD and Continuous Testing.
• Design and execute functional, integration, regression and exploratory testing.
• Perform non‑functional testing including performance, security, accessibility and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT).
• Collaborate with developers and DevOps engineers to ensure quality is integrated into CI/CD pipelines.
• Contribute to improving QA processes, automation frameworks, tooling and engineering standards.
• Mentor colleagues and promote best practice across delivery teams.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for experienced Test Engineers who enjoy tackling complex technical challenges and continuously improving the way software is delivered.

Essential Experience

• Strong commercial experience in both manual and automated software testing.
• Experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks.
• Strong understanding of Agile delivery methodologies.
• Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of API, UI, integration and end‑to‑end testing.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Experience with Technologies such as

• Playwright
• Selenium
• Cypress
• WebdriverIO
• Cucumber
• Robot Framework
• Serenity BDD
• Rest Assured

Experience across cloud environments, DevOps practices and modern software delivery pipelines would also be beneficial.

Security Clearance

Due to the highly sensitive nature of the projects, current UK Developed Vetting (DV) Clearance is essential for this position.

Why Join?

You'll become part of an organization that invests heavily in its people while working on projects that genuinely make a difference.

Benefits

• Hybrid working with offices in Bristol, Cheltenham and Manchester.
• Flexible working (Flexitime).
• Dedicated Career Coach and personalised development support.
• Continuous training and professional development.
• Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 wellbeing support.
• Regular social events, annual away days and company celebrations.
• On‑site lunch and refreshments when working with clients.
• A collaborative, inclusive engineering culture where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer. They are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to succeed. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process, and candidates with disabilities or long‑term health conditions who meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview in line with the Disability Confident scheme.

Qualifications

• Using a variety of technologies, with a focus on open‑source tools and frameworks.
• Manual & automation software testing.
• Working with DevOps and agile methodologies (TDD, BDD, ATDD) and continuous testing through CI/CD pipelines, with manual/exploratory testing when needed.
• Designing and implementing automated test frameworks across UI & API.
• We typically work with technologies like Selenium, Cypress.io, Webdriver.io, Playwright, Cucumber, Robot Framework, Serenity BDD and Rest Assured.
• Sharing new ideas with the QA team and helping improve our test frameworks and processes.
• Conducting non‑functional testing, covering areas such as Security, Performance, Accessibility and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT).

Why Is This a Great Opportunity

Our client is proud of their supportive, inclusive and team‑focused environment where everyone can thrive. They value each member of their team and want you to feel excited about coming to work.

• Wellbeing: Free 24/7 counselling helpline and employee assistance programme.
• Work from the city‑centre offices across the UK, with flexitime and the option to work from home.
• Learning & Grow: Dedicated Career Coach to guide your development.
• Social: Fun events throughout the year, including socials, a summer party in London and annual awaydays.
• On‑site Allowances: Expenses for lunch and drinks.

Salary

Annual Salary. Salary Min: £40,000. Salary Max: £70,000. Currency: GBP.