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Test Engineer

NHS

United Kingdom

Hybrid

GBP 47,000 - 55,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

A healthcare authority in the UK is seeking a Test Engineer to perform testing activities for its Digital directorate. The successful candidate will manage testing for key health research systems, focusing on system integration and user acceptance testing while ensuring quality assurance for all software releases. This role offers flexible working arrangements, including home-based options, and a competitive salary range between £47,810 to £54,710. Applicants should have a master's degree in IS/IT and relevant technical certifications.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Inclusive workplace culture

Home-based working options

Qualifications

Educated to a master's level or equivalent in IS / IT field.
Certified in ISTQB Foundation.
Experience of working as an automated test engineer.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate system and user acceptance testing.
Write, debug, and refactor test code for end-to-end testing.
Plan and coordinate testing activities of key national information systems.

Skills

Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of test tools such as Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber, JMeter

Working knowledge of software coding language in the Microsoft stack (C#, node.js, JavaScript)

Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases

Education

Master's level in IS / IT field or equivalent experience

Certified in ISTQB Foundation

Tools

GitHub

Azure DevOps

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced Test Engineer to join our Digital directorate and 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

Test Engineer will be responsible for the execution of test activities within the HRA Digital Directorate. This will involve the planning and coordination of testing activities of key national information systems for health research in the UK managed by the Health Research Authority (HRA). The test analysis and planning activity undertaken will include discovery capture, test definition and the estimation of test effort, as part of a broader risk‑based approach within functional and non‑functional testing.

The Test Engineer will ensure that all products delivered both internally and by suppliers, including significant update releases and routine fixes, are thoroughly tested, and accepted before delivery into live service. They will be required to manage and coordinate the system, system integration and user acceptance testing in line with the HRA's practices and procedures. They will also have the primary responsibility for writing, debugging and refactoring test code for end‑to‑end testing using HRA's best practices and preferred automation toolset.

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

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.

Details

Date posted: 17 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 18 months

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number: 980-HRA7684139

Job locations: Newcastle upon Tyne, Holland Drive, Newcastle, NE2 4NQ

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.

Important information

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 HRA's 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 HRA's 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 (Essential)

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

Qualifications (Desirable)

Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise (Essential)

Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of test tools such as Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber, JMeter
Working knowledge of software coding language in the Microsoft stack e.g., C#, node.js, JavaScript etc
Working knowledge of any other SQL and relational databases

Experience (Essential)

Experience of working within the test team delivering successful outcomes
Experience of working as an automated test engineer
Practical experience of testing on .NET, SQL and Microservices architecture

Analytical and Judgemental Skills (Essential)

Lead on the analysis of complex requirements and derive testable scenarios

Knowledge, skills and Expertise (Essential)

Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of testing techniques
Comprehensive knowledge of code version management tools like GitHub, Azure DevOps

Interpersonal Skills (Essential)

Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information. Written English skills at a level to summarise complex issues into a document and verbal English skills to articulate procedural issues and comprehend complex discussion.
Ability to work within and contribute to a high performing team

Analytical and Judgemental skills (Essential)