Software Test Engineer

Software Test Engineer

Bristol, Hybrid – BS34 6FE

£35,000 - £45,000

We’re building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems and products that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high‑pressure settings.

Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting‑edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission‑critical systems. We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever‑changing world.

We’re growing our team and are looking for a Software Test Engineer to work with a high level of independence to drive best practices and elevate product and process quality across our project teams.

You will work primarily on Rowden’s innovative product portfolio but have opportunities to also support a diverse range of projects such as bespoke mobile applications, server‑side configuration management platforms, geospatial tools and custom provisioning tools. These will often include hardware components in the systems under test, and you will use your aptitude and experience beyond working with pure software systems to deliver excellent outcomes.

Pace matters. In 2024, we delivered our first full‑stack hardware product to end users, from concept through to mass production, in just eight months. That included industrial design, embedded software, cloud integration, and rigorous testing across operational environments. This is the kind of momentum we’re building on, and the kind of impact you’ll help drive. You will play a pivotal role in delivering our next generation of critical technologies that bridge the gap between frontline operators and the commercial advancements they need to succeed.

This is a hybrid role, with an average of 3 days a week in our Bristol offices. There will be occasional on‑site support to customers during ‘testing’ days and provide hands‑on support through acceptance and release phases.

As an Infrastructure / Dev Ops Engineer at Rowden, you will:

• Provide support across all aspects of software and system testing within a defined project or product scope whilst aligning to business‑wide strategy, planning, execution, process, and tools.
• Champion and implement best practices to enhance testing strategies and quality across projects, particularly where they require higher levels of assurance or present greater risk.
• Integrate seamlessly into development teams, actively engaging in agile ceremonies and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure requirements are understood and testable.
• Influence test strategy across complex, multi‑disciplinary projects, including those involving hardware, distributed, connected and embedded systems.
• Design, execute, and manage test plans and test cases, including defect triage and comprehensive reporting of testing outcomes.
• Support the adoption and evolution of automated testing, ensuring automation is embedded in project delivery and that scripting (e.g., Python, bash, Kotlin) is used effectively to support robust, scalable test solutions.
• Provide support through acceptance, release, and deployment phases, acting as a trusted adviser to ensure seamless delivery and successful outcomes.

Expertise in software testing, with a track record of successful delivery in complex environments where testing is fully integrated into cross‑functional teams.

Experience with hardware and connected systems, ideally including IoT and system integration projects.

A background in automation, with hands‑on experience in scripting and the use of modern test frameworks and CI/CD systems.

Ability to quickly close knowledge gaps and provide authoritative advice on strategy, planning, execution, process, and tools.

Proficiency in designing and documenting test strategies, plans,…