Senior Test Engineer

Quality Assurance and Testing is an important part of the delivery of digital systems within the Health Research Authority. We have a team of skilled test professionals who make sure quality is delivered in the most effective way. We are looking to add automation engineering skills to our existing team as we value automating as much of the test effort as possible allowing our team of specialists to undertake better evaluations of the overall product set.

As a Senior Test Engineer, you will create and drive the automated test engineering approach within the Research Systems Programme working closely with the Head of Test and other colleagues in the Agile development team. You will determine and implement automation approaches using Playwright(typescript) to assure, measure and build quality into every phase of the software life cycle. This involves developing or enhancing automation frameworks that help deliver scalable tests which are faster, frequent, and continuous.

Job also involves performing manual testing where automation is not suitable.

• Identify new and implement existing test automation frameworks
• Work on both functional and non-functional areas of complex system(s) built with multiple technologies (Microsoft, PEGA etc)
• Identify and raise awareness of defects, issues, risks arising from the automation test results
• Work closely with members of Agile team
• Collaborate with senior test analysts, business to make sure the required business scenarios are covered in the test scripts
• Carry out system, integration and user acceptance testing using manual and automated techniques
• Lead on change impact assessment of all changes ensuring that test coverage mitigates any impact to external stakeholders
• Work with the HRA's User Acceptance Team representatives and external users to perform acceptance testing of HRA software system changes
• Manage own work within the timelines agreed
• Duties above are not an exhaustive list. The applicant will be expected to perform their duties as per ISTQB best practices (automation & manual)

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.

Working at the HRA, our approach to flexible working is designed to support us all, recognising that for many people, home based or hybrid working provides us with the most productive environment to work well. We will try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible.

The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For staff based in Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.

When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.

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