Senior Performance Test Engineer - DVLA - SEO

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
Your responsibilities will include but will not be 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 Wednesday 5th March 2025 at 12:00pm.

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’. 

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public. 

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 £42,848. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £14,552.

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)