Test Manager

Belcan; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Belcan seeks an experienced Test Manager to lead Test & Verification activities on complex defence programmes in Portsmouth, with a minimum 60% onsite requirement and a 12‑month contract. The role involves defining test strategies, artefacts, and leading teams to meet quality, cost and schedule targets.

You will drive IVV activities across systems, manage defect processes, and mentor engineers while ensuring compliance with customer and contractual requirements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Test Management, Verification, and Validation in complex engineering environments.
• Ability to define and execute test strategies across large-scale programmes.
• Experience managing test teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of defect management, requirements verification, and end-to-end testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall test strategy and verification approach across assigned projects.
• Develop and manage Test & Verification plans and strategies that minimise project risk.
• Define and oversee IVV activities across complex systems and environments.
• Ensure all testing activities comply with project requirements and processes.
• Manage verification status against requirements via a VCRI.
• Oversee defect management processes related to testing.
• Verify and validate project deliverables using appropriate tools and standards.
• Ensure subcontractor deliverables satisfy contracted requirements.
• Support System Reference Models and test environments.
• Mentor and support engineers, promoting best practices.
• Deliver test activities within agreed cost, schedule, and quality.

Skills

Test Management

Verification

Validation

Team leadership

Defect management

End-to-end testing

Regulated industries

Education

Engineering or Scientific degree

ISTQB Advanced (Desirable)

PRINCE2 Practitioner (Desirable)

Project management qualification (Desirable)

Job description

Test Manager

Location: Portsmouth (Minimum 60% onsite)

Contract: 12 month contract

Rate: £44.85 per hour PAYE / £60 per hour Umbrella

Hours: 37 hours per week (4.5 days, flexible working between 7am-7pm)

IR35: Inside IR35

Clearance: BPSS+ required to start and candidates must be eligible to obtain SC

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced Test Manager to lead the Test & Verification (T&V) activities on complex and high-profile programmes within the Defence and Space sector. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in defining test strategies, leading verification activities, and ensuring systems meet demanding customer and contractual requirements.

The successful Test Manager will be responsible for defining the overall testing approach, producing bid and project test artefacts, and leading teams to deliver testing and verification activities to agreed quality, cost, and schedule targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall test strategy and verification approach across assigned projects.
• Develop and manage Test & Verification plans and strategies that minimise project risk and validate technical solutions as early and cost-effectively as possible.
• Define and oversee Integration, Verification and Validation (IVV) activities across complex systems and environments.
• Ensure all testing activities comply with project requirements, customer expectations, and business processes.
• Manage verification status against requirements through a Verification Cross Reference Index (VCRI).
• Oversee defect management processes related to testing and verification activities.
• Verify and validate project deliverables using appropriate tools, techniques, and industry standards.
• Ensure subcontractor deliverables fully satisfy contracted requirements.
• Support the creation and utilisation of System Reference Models and test environments.
• Demonstrate system compliance and performance against contractual requirements.
• Mentor and support other engineers, promoting best practice and continuous improvement within the engineering function.
• Ensure delivery of test activities to agreed cost, schedule, and quality objectives.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in Test Management, Verification, and Validation within complex engineering environments.
• Proven ability to define and execute test strategies across large-scale programmes.
• Experience managing test teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of defect management, requirements verification, and end-to-end testing processes.
• Ability to produce high-quality test documentation, plans, and verification artefacts.
• Experience working within highly regulated or safety-critical industries.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified in an Engineering or Scientific discipline.
• Advanced ISTQB qualification or equivalent formal testing certification.
• Project Management qualification such as PRINCE2 Practitioner.
• Experience with project planning tools and methodologies.
• Background within the Defence, Space, Satellite Communications, or Aerospace sectors.