Test Lead

Sanderson Government & Defence; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanderson Government & Defence is seeking an experienced Test Lead to support delivery of critical Defence and National Security programmes in a highly secure environment. You will lead end‑to‑end testing to assure quality, resilience, and operational readiness of mission‑critical systems for UK Defence objectives.

You will work with technical teams and Defence customers to deliver testing across complex programmes, ensuring security and reliability meets the highest standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading testing activities in defence or secure environments
• Strong understanding of test strategies, plans and defect management
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience working in complex IT, digital or infrastructure projects

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate testing activities across complex Defence programmes.
• Develop and maintain test strategies, plans, schedules, and reporting.
• Manage functional, integration, system, and user acceptance testing.
• Track and manage defects, risks, and issues throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Collaborate with engineering, infrastructure, cyber security, and delivery teams.
• Ensure compliance with quality, governance, and security requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement across testing processes and best practices.

Skills

Test Lead

Test Manager

Leadership

Test management

Job description

Test Lead
5 days on site in Aldermaston
£600-£650 a day - Inside IR35
Requires Active MOD DV Clearance

We are seeking an experienced Test Lead to support the delivery of critical Defence and National Security programmes within a highly secure environment. You will play a key role in assuring the quality, resilience, and operational readiness of mission‑critical systems supporting UK Defence objectives.

Working closely with technical teams, programme stakeholders, and Defence customers, you will lead end‑to‑end testing activities across complex programmes, ensuring solutions are delivered to the highest standards of quality, security, and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate testing activities across complex Defence programmes.
• Develop and maintain test strategies, plans, schedules, and reporting.
• Manage functional, integration, system, and user acceptance testing.
• Track and manage defects, risks, and issues throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Collaborate with engineering, infrastructure, cyber security, and delivery teams.
• Ensure compliance with quality, governance, and security requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement across testing processes and best practices.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Test Lead, Test Manager, or Senior Test Analyst.
• Experience delivering testing within complex IT, digital, engineering, or infrastructure environments.
• Strong understanding of test management, quality assurance, and defect management processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience working within Defence, National Security, Government, or other highly secure environments.

Essential Requirements

• Active MOD DV Clearance.
• Ability to work 5 days per week on-site in Aldermaston.
• Eligible to work in the UK.

Desirable

• MOD, Defence Digital, National Security, or Nuclear sector experience.
• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience with secure systems, infrastructure, or enterprise technology programmes.

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.