Senior Test Analyst | Wellington

New Zealand Government Joba; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 104,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development in Wellington is seeking a Senior Test Analyst to plan, coordinate and execute testing across the delivery lifecycle, ensuring solutions meet business expectations and quality standards. You will mentor others and promote QA capability across the organisation.

Based in our Wellington office, you will drive IST testing processes, collect metrics, perform root cause analysis, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to remove roadblocks and improve delivery

Qualifications

• Must have end-to-end testing experience across complex, integrated environments.
• Strong experience in system integration and API testing, validating interactions and data flows.
• Deep understanding of different testing types and when to apply them across architectures.
• Proficient in testing tools, including automation or scripting techniques.
• Ability to coach, mentor and supervise other testing practitioners.
• Experience with integration, data warehousing or data migration testing.
• Strong reporting skills to track testing outcomes and metrics.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the preparation, planning and execution of testing activities and test deliverables.
• Ensure consistent application of MSD IST testing processes, methodologies and documentation standards.
• Collect testing metrics and produce reports to monitor and improve application quality.
• Perform and facilitate root cause analysis of defects, issues and faults, producing high-quality defect reports.
• Coordinate and support day-to-day testing activities, tracking progress and implementing corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional delivery team members to remove roadblocks and improve delivery outcomes.

Skills

End-to-end testing

API testing

Testing methodologies

SDLC knowledge

Defect & release mgmt

Testing tools

Coaching

Stakeholder collaboration

Tools

Automation tools

Job description

## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* Wellington based permanent role* Coach and mentor others while strengthening organisation-wide QA practices* Play a key role in delivering safe, high‐quality systems that support New ZealandersAs a Senior Test Analyst, you will be responsible for the testing activities, artefacts and delivery outcomes within an agile environment, ensuring high-quality and reliable systems. The role involves owning testing activities, mentoring team members, and promoting consistent QA practices across teams. It also requires collaboration with stakeholders to support successful project delivery and continuous improvement in quality assurance.**About our team | Mō te tīma**Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.Our Technology group provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.We're driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. The group is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.**About the role | Mō te tūnga**As the Senior Test Analyst you will plan, coordinate and execute testing activities across the delivery lifecycle, ensuring solutions meet business expectations and quality standards.You'll also mentor others and contribute to the ongoing development of testing and QA capability across the organisation.This role is based in our Wellington office.**Key responsibilities:*** Facilitate the preparation, planning and execution of testing activities and test deliverables* Ensure consistent application of MSD IST testing processes, methodologies and documentation standards* Collect testing metrics and produce reports to monitor and improve application quality* Perform and facilitate root cause analysis of defects, issues and faults, producing high‐quality defect reports* Coordinate and support day‐to‐day testing activities, tracking progress and implementing corrective actions* Collaborate with cross‐functional delivery team members to remove roadblocks and improve delivery outcomesWe're committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.**What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga**We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience testing **end-to-end solutions across complex, integrated environments.**You will have **strong experience in system integration and API testing**, including validating interactions, data flows and dependencies between multiple systems and services.**You will also bring:*** In‐depth understanding of different testing types and when to apply them across varying architectures* Strong knowledge of the System Development Life Cycle and defect and release management* Experience using testing and defect management tools, including automation or scripting tools* Sound understanding of test analysis, preparation and execution techniques* Ability to coach, mentor and supervise other testing practitioners* Experience with specialist testing approaches such as integration, message layer, data warehousing or data migration testing* Strong reporting skills, including the ability to track metrics and communicate testing outcomes clearly* Experience working across different technologies and collaborating with technical and business teams to ensure quality across the full solution will be highly valued.**Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga**A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Test Analyst position description.**Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,846.00 - $125,998.00**We expect to appoint this position up to $121,567 however a salary offer will be based on the preferred candidate's skills and experience and our team relativities.**Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Wednesday 7 October 2026.****About us | Mō mātou**The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.**How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono**Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitmentTo apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail] MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.**Joining us | Ko te hono mai**Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Ministry of Social Development || Location: | Wellington - Wairarapa || Position type: | Permanent - Full Time || Category: | IT & computing || Date listed: | 25-Sep-2026 || Salary range: | $103,846 - $125,998 || Closing date: | 07-Oct-2026 || Reference: | NZ/1949394 || Attachment: | senior-test-analyst.docx (Word, 466KB)Job Specification || File links: | || Website: | https://jobs.msd.govt.nz |