Senior Test Engineer

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; Leeds; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave

8 bank holidays + Privilege Day

Staff discount portal

Career development opportunities

24-hour Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to lead and coordinate automated and manual testing across our ICT estate. The role involves gap analysis, planning, and implementing improvements to testing processes while staying aligned with technology standards to deliver reliable software.

You will build test frameworks, mentor QA colleagues, and ensure test data and environments meet project requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in testing within a large-scale ICT estate.
• Experience building test frameworks and knowledge of at least one programming language (Java, JavaScript, Groovy, Scala) and awareness of front-end web development (CSS/HTML).
• Ability to mentor and coach other QA & testing colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Managing all test processes, including test plans, resources, costs, timescales, test deliverables and traceability.
• Coordinating, managing, and communicating the planning of the system and/or acceptance tests within a development or integration project / programme.
• Providing authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of test planning and execution.
• Building tests to a standard that allows multiple use.
• Serving as coach and mentor to individuals in the service assurance team to ensure that the team is appropriately trained and up to speed regarding methodologies, policies, and tools.
• Providing input to the environment requirements, setup, manage, maintain, and ensure test data & environments are available to satisfy project and/or work package test requirements.

Skills

Experience in testing

Test framework development

Programming knowledge

Mentoring QA

Tools

Java

JavaScript

Groovy

Scala

CSS/HTML

Job description

Senior Test Engineer

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 1st September 2026

Location: Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham (Chadderton), Birmingham (Garretts Green) or Uxbridge. (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary: £44,241 - £58,997

Candidates based in Yeading will receive the London Weighting allowance of £4,000

Plus an additional Government Digital and Data Profession allowance (non-pensionable) up to £14,756.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Available Positions: 2

The central responsibility of this role is for delivering excellent, scalable automated and manual testing capability and providing overall direction and management of software testing, while ensuring that technology standards are defined and followed to meet users’ needs efficiently and reliably.

You will perform gap analysis on current testing processes, competencies and capacity and implement plans to remove identified gaps, while keeping abreast of new technology patterns and trends to lead the evolution of test standards, tools, and processes.

The focus will be on building in quality from the start and testing throughout development phases.

Top Responsibilities

• Managing all test processes, including test plans, resources, costs, timescales, test deliverables and traceability.
• Coordinating, managing, and communicating the planning of the system and/or acceptance tests within a development or integration project / programme.
• Providing authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of test planning and execution.
• Building tests to a standard that allows multiple use.
• Serving as coach and mentor to individuals in the service assurance team to ensure that the team is appropriately trained and up to speed regarding methodologies, policies, and tools.
• Providing input to the environment requirements, setup, manage, maintain, and ensure test data & environments are available to satisfy project and/or work package test requirements.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

About You

• Experience in testing within a large-scale ICT estate, including integrating new and legacy products.
• Experience building test frameworks and detailed knowledge of at least one programming language (we use a range of languages including Java, JavaScript, Groovy and Scala) and awareness of front-end web development (CSS/HTML).
• Ability to quickly research and learn new programming tools and techniques, learn by proof of concepts and iteration.
• Ability to mentor and coach other QA & testing colleagues.

Government Digital and Data Allowance

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data (or Government Security Profession Career Framework) profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £44,241. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £14,756.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Tuesday 1st September 2026