Senior Test Engineer - One Login

Government Digital Service

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 8th September 2024

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Details

Reference number

365181

Salary

£53,400 - £59,700

Up to £58,850 (National) - based on capability. The base salary of this grade is £53,400 (National). Offers made above this will be made up with a specialist pay allowance. For more info visit our things you need to know page.

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

GDS - Identity Services

Type of role

Digital

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Manchester

About the job

Job summary

GDS exists to help the government make brilliant public services that empower people in the UK. We work at the very centre of government to drive digital transformation, focused on users. We build and maintain common platforms, products and tools for others to use and create great public services that are accessible, inclusive and easy to use. We also work with departments to identify patterns, share learning and create change to make government more efficient.

Our teams are organised around delivering on our priorities. These are:

• making it easier for people to find what they are looking for on GOV.UK
• building common service platforms to make it simpler and cheaper to build quality digital services
• promoting agile, user-centred design practices both in the UK and across the world

As the most strategic programme in government and national critical digital infrastructure, GOV.UK One Login represents a once in a career opportunity to work on a software product that will be used by the majority of the people living in the UK. GOV.UK One Login is being designed and built for the many, not the few. It will unite services across government, revolutionising the way government departments interact digitally with users. One Login will deliver an accessible and essential function that will change lives and help millions. Our technology stack runs on AWS, using serverless compute and storage products. Backend services are written in TypeScript/Node.js and JVM technologies. Web applications also use TypeScript.

The GOV.UK One Login programme is full of talented and passionate people who are focussed on delivering high quality products for services and individuals. We’re halfway through our build phase and features are being shipped daily as we work to mature our product set. We are an ambitious and visionary team so if you want to be at heart of this, have a background in software delivery with a specific focus on quality, and are used to working in a scaled agile environment then this could be the place for you!

Job description

Join us as a Grade 7 Senior Test Engineer, where you’ll lead Quality Assurance and Testing of cross-product delivery (both functional and non-functional) and quality engineering initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and delivery of high quality products. You will be part of the central Test and Quality Engineering team within the One Login program. This role offers the opportunity to innovate in testing methodologies, mentor team members and drive quality engineering practices throughout our software development lifecycle.

As a Senior Test Engineer, you’ll:

• lead and guide teams in strategic testing practices & quality engineering
• lead and guide testers/quality engineers in test approach, test planning, implementation of automated test suites, to meet acceptance criteria for both functional and non-functional product assurance
• lead and guide teams in quality metrics and, optimise quality practices and processes
• continuously learn new testing and quality engineering technologies (functional and non-functional) and apply them to the job by supporting teams with adoption as a subject matter expert in quality
• analyse technical/functional/business requirements, and collect information/evidence to identify problems and opportunities ensuring recommendations fit with strategic business objectives
• participate in the architecture and design review of the new features early in the development cycle, influencing it to drive quality, testability and adherence to the specification
• review and assess non-functional requirements. Lead design of performance tests, ensuring accurate simulation of real-world scenarios and user behaviours. Analyse and interpret test results to identify performance bottlenecks and areas for improvement
• oversee Operational Acceptance Testing(OAT) conducted by teams, ensuring that all systems meet operational requirements and are fully prepared for production deployment

Person specification

We’re interested in people who:

• have experience in leading testing (functional and non-functional) across multiple teams throughout the lifecycle, from understanding business needs and delivering to production. This includes technical leadership, strategy development, test generation, reporting, defect management and user/operational acceptance testing
• have proven ability to lead teams in implementing automated test approach and test implementation for Mobile, Web UI and API, and driving quality improvements
• are experienced in leading non-functional testing, including Performance, Accessibility and Compatibility testing. Proficient in utilising various test types, tools, and standards
• are adaptable team players who excel in a Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery environment using associated methodologies and tools. Advocates for and implements shift left principles
• are skilled in fostering a quality-centric culture through a whole team approach, enhancing capabilities in delivery teams, including MSP (Managed Service Providers) team members
• have comprehensive understanding of production testing, observability, and real usage monitoring, with the ability to implement risk based test strategies that ensure system reliability, and provide actionable insights into user behaviour

Benefits

The benefits of working at GDS

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 20 minute telephone interview 
• a 90 minute video/virtual interview - Both Civil Service Behaviours based and technical questions

Whilst we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write cover letters without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences. 

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: Have experience in leading testing (functional and non-functional) across multiple teams throughout the lifecycle, from understanding business needs and delivering to production. This includes technical leadership, strategy development, test generation, reporting, defect management and user/operational acceptance testing.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• working together
• changing and improving
• managing a quality service
• delivering at pace

We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework for the Senior Test Engineer (Grade 7) role: 

• Test Analysis
• Functional Testing
• Non Functional Testing
• Technical Breadth

Recruitment Timeline

Sift completion: 13th September 2024

Phone screens: W/C 23rd September 2024

Panel interviews: W/C 30th September 2024

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Other information: Occasionally, business pressures, priorities or critical delivery may mean that we move you into a different team or work area within GDS. This will always be within the same grade and discipline within which you were hired, but does mean that your focus or objectives may shift in order to deliver GDS business.

You may be aware that there are plans for the Government Digital Service (GDS) & the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) to move into the Department of Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT). This move is to bring together the digital transformation of public services into one core department. The move itself will offer huge opportunities whilst allowing DSIT to lead the way and drive forward the new Government's digital agenda. 

As the announcement is relatively new, we are awaiting more detailed information. Therefore, we encourage you to apply for this role, and will keep you informed with updated information throughout the application process. 

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.