Senior Test Analyst

Health Research Authority; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health regulatory body in Bristol is seeking a Senior Test Analyst to support the development of an Integrated Research Application and workflow system. The successful candidate will have significant experience in testing, identifying defects, and managing testing procedures. You will work closely with the digital team to ensure effective migration processes. The position offers flexible work arrangements, including potential home-based options. Ideal candidates will have expertise in testing tools and a strong analytical mindset.

Benefits

Flexible working

Home or remote working options

Compressed hours

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of test tools like Selenium and Playwright.
• Working knowledge of software coding languages such as Java, .NET, and C#.
• Experience in delivering successful outcomes as part of a test team.

Responsibilities

• Establish testing procedures and requirements.
• Identify and manage complex defects.
• Provide test coverage support for engineers and developers.

Skills

Test tools knowledge

Software coding languages

Automated testing experience

Excellent communication skills

Education

Master's level in IS / IT or equivalent experience

Certified in ISTQB Foundation

Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Tools

Selenium

Playwright

PEGA

.NET

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Test Analyst to join our Digital directorate. You will work as part of a Programme team to build a new Integrated Research Application and workflow system and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems

Research Systems Transformation Programme aims to deliver a World-Class Regulatory System for health research in the UK. This programme will build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow System, designed using a microservices architecture, and oversee the successful migration and closure of existing systems.

Main duties of the job

Key elements of this role will include:

Working closely with the delivery team and test engineers to undertake the activities and techniques required to establish the basis of testing. At this level, you will:

• have wide and complex domain and business knowledge
• identify and manage wide and complex defects

Take a business and an operational view to finding solutions to complex problems

Provide test coverage support for test engineers and software developers

Come up with functional and non-functional testing procedures and requirements

About us

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.

Working at the HRA, our approach to flexible working is designed to support us all, recognising that for many people, home based or hybrid working provides us with the most productive environment to work well. We will try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible.

The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For staff based in Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.

When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.

We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications. Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality. Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate. False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.

We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.

Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.

Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed.

We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.

Our fixed term positions are also open to applicants who wish to apply for the role on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their Line Manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.

Organisational structure and directorate overview

The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.

This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The directorate owns, develops, and delivers the HRAs digital strategy in line with government digital and functional standards.

The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to a master's level or equivalent in IS / IT field or portfolio of equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to work at this level
• Certified in ISTQB Foundation
• Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

• Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of test tools such as Selenium, Playwright
• Working knowledge of Software coding language e.g. Java, .NET, C#

Experience

• Experience of working within the test team delivering successful outcomes
• Practical experience of testing on PEGA and .NET platforms
• Experience of working as an automated test engineer

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Lead on the analysis of complex requirements and derive testable scenarios.

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

• Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of testing techniques

Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information. This requires: o Written English skills at a level to summarise complex issues into a document. o Verbal English skills to be able to articulate procedural issues and comprehend complex discussion.

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of the platforms such as PEGA, Microsoft

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to work within and contribute to a high performing team

Employer name

Health Research Authority

Address

Bristol

Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay

Head of Technical Quality Assurance and Test

Full-time,Flexible working,Home or remote working,Compressed hours

Reference number

980-HRA7684076-C

Job locations

Bristol

Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay