Senior Performance Test Engineer - DVLA - SEO

Job summary

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we take software testing very seriously, working closely with our Software Developer colleagues and business stakeholders to ensure the highest level of quality assurance has been met before release of services to production. Our Senior Performance Test Engineers are building service level performance test suites that ensure our digital services are thoroughly exercised to ensure they can perform at very high volumes and within agreed response times as expected for modern digital Government services. You will be a key member of a small but highly specialised testing function with responsibility for performance testing all DVLA digital service offerings. You will design, build and execute suites of performance tests for DVLA services that operate across both Legacy and Cloud infrastructure.  

We use a range of performance test tooling and methodologies which can vary to suit the services under test (including APIs, Web-based UIs and often a mix of Cloud hosted services that rely on Legacy back-end systems and data).

Job description

This test role will require you to join a small but very specialised test team that sits within the Quality Engineering (QE) function – in DVLA’s Information Technology Service Creation (ITSC) department. This specialised performance test team can be called upon to assist with testing of new services, transformation initiatives, technical upgrades or applications changes with focus on performance requirements that usually include high volume services and measuring response times. The role will also provide specialist performance test support as required to our numerous Development Squads delivering these changes. As a key member of the Performance Test team, you will continuously strive to develop an increased understanding of new and emerging tools and approaches with a view to improving the test services offered.

Responsibilities

Include but are not limited to: 

• Performance testing activities across the full development lifecycle; from requirements gathering though to test execution, as part of the wider approach to QA and performance engineering.
• Collaboration with different delivery partners to reduce the need to rework and refactor the application in later development cycles, optimising the value of design, development and testing.
• Working in complex and highly integrated technical environments with other agile and DevOps product teams.
• Using analytical techniques, including risk-based testing, and applying formal test analysis and design techniques where appropriate to the implementation of performance testing.
• Promoting development of performance testing capabilities within the ITSC organisation, including continuous professional development and understanding of new and emerging industry leading technologies.
• Working closely with other performance team members, the wider ITSC community plus project and business stakeholders on all aspects of Quality Assurance with particular attention to performance testing. 
• Applying knowledge and experience of different technical and product domains.

For further information about the role please see the attached role profile. 

Would you like to find out more about the opportunity, the technology and what you would be working on? If so, we have organised a familiarisation session where you can virtually ‘meet the team’ on Thursday 31st October at 12:30pm.

Please click here to book on.

Additional information  

Applications will be accepted from full time/part time/job sharers. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week. Part time and/or flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible or part time working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’. 

Person specification

The DVLA is at the cutting edge of cloud-first technologies and at the forefront of digital within government, providing new and improved services that are reliable, easy to use and offer value for money for our customers. With over 50 million driver records and over 40 million vehicle records, the opportunity to work at this scale is unrivalled across the region. Our services generate billions in revenue and make a difference to the lives of 9 out of 10 households in the UK. As a member of the Performance test team you will be directly contributing to the success of these outcomes. 

You will have a demonstrable passion for Performance Testing, with the following skills and experience:

• Using JMeter, Influx, Grafana – these form the current toolset in use though extensive experience in any other industry recognised performance tooling may be considered.
• Using scripting languages such as Groovy.
• Using SQL or other DB scripting languages.
• Using Unix or Linux systems and Shell or other similar.
• Using AWS and/or Azure hosting platforms.
• Performance test of Legacy infrastructure and applications or hybrid of Legacy with Cloud.
• Setting up performance tests from requirements gathering through to test execution, using performance test to anticipate issues that might arise during different load conditions.
• Analysing NFRs, technical designs and business requirements.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with multiple delivery partners and actively engaging stakeholders.
• Developing yourself and the wider team through a range of activities that achieve current business goals, help to meet future challenges and build a capacity for change.
• Strong team working and collaboration experience alongside proven ability to work independently to drive performance test requirements, execution and investigations as necessary.
• Delivering performance test function across a range of Private and Public Sector organisations.

Working for the DVLA Digital Team 

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.    

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog. 

Government Digital and Data Profession Pay Framework  

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

The base pay is £40,808. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £16,592. 

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

Here are more details on the pay framework.  

Due to the evolving nature of the business, vacancies can become available at any time. Therefore, this campaign may create a reserve list to fulfil demand if it arises which will be held for a period of 12 months. 

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Senior Test Engineer - Non Functional Testing (Skill level: Practitioner)
• Senior Test Engineer - Technical Breadth (Skill level: Practitioner)
• Senior Test Engineer - Test Analysis (Skill level: Practitioner)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,808, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £11,822 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:     

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role.  
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.   
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues. 
• Generous employer contribution of 28.97%, depending on chosen pension scheme.   
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks. 
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies).  
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar.   
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 1 extra day for the King’s birthday.
• Free parking. 
• A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a minimum of 60% of their time in the office over a month, with flexibility dependent on balancing business and individual need. 

There are many more opportunities and great benefits of working at DVLA, visit our Careers website for further information.     

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply  

To apply please click 'Apply at advertiser's site' at the bottom of the page. You will be required to submit a CV providing detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:    

• Demonstrable hands-on experience of designing and writing performance test scripts for complex solutions.
• Demonstrable experience of performance test tooling and methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience of extensive team working and managing stakeholder expectations.

Please note that any part of the role profile could be tested at sift/interview.  
   
If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.  
   
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:  
   
• An interview and technical exercise  

Assessment and Interview 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).   

On receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.  

If at sift your application is successful, you will be invited to the first stage of the interview process (hosted by inspire people), where you will be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview (this again will be based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).   

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview (which will include an assessment) and be conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.  

The sift will take place from Monday 18th November 2024.

Final stage interview/assessments will take place from Thursday 28th November 2024.

At the final interview stage, you will be assessed against various Behavioural and Technical elements. (Find more information around these elements by following the Success Profiles and Technical skill links in the advert).   

This interview will be conducted via a video, details of which will be provided, should you be selected for interview. 

Please familiarise yourself with the Government Digital & Data framework as you will be tested on elements of this during the interview stage. 

Government Digital Data Profession Capability Framework – Senior Performance Test Engineer 

• Non-Functional Testing. You can design and execute a full range of performance tests using appropriate techniques and communicate performance test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.  Make decisions on running types of non-functional testing. Coach and mentor others. Identify defects, alert the business to them, and help to prioritise them based on defect severity. (Skill level: Practitioner)
• Technical Breadth. You can demonstrate a good working knowledge of different tools and techniques and can train others. can mentor and advise others on testing.  Advise others on testing techniques and frameworks. Effectively research, plan and train others within the team. (Skill level: Practitioner)
• Test Analysis. You can think creatively, ask the right questions and critically evaluate and communicate findings to a larger team. Lead investigative work into problems and opportunities in existing processes. Drive the collection of information and the creation of recommendations for improvements. Absorb large amounts of conflicting information and use it to determine solutions. (Skill level: Practitioner)

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.   

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.    

Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.  

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview is truthful and factually accurate. Applications may be rejected if plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or concepts generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.   

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).