Junior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 22nd April 2024

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Details

Reference number

345059

Salary

£28,119

Job grade

Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DVLA - Information Technology Services

Type of role

Digital
Information Technology

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

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

Location

Swansea

About the job

Job summary

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we encourage applications from everyone, particularly groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. We pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has and promote inclusivity and equality of opportunity for all. Our recruitment process is anonymised, which means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.  

Do you have experience in developing software and a particular interest in automation developments?

Would you like to work with leading serverless and cloud-based technologies?

If you love to test and code and want to work with cutting edge cloud-first technologies, we encourage you to apply.

Job description

At the DVLA, we take testing very seriously and we automate as much as we can. Our Software Development Engineer in Test (SDETs) are building best-in-class test automation software so that we can build products quickly and safely.

We will look to you to build and execute test automation for our brand new or newly transformed services. You will be a critical part of a squad following a behaviour-driven design approach (ATDD) making sure our software is tested and testable and continually driving all aspects of quality improvements.

This is a fantastic opportunity to build upon your skills and experience while helping to build world class digital services that pave the way for future business transformation.

Responsibilities  

Your responsibilities will include but will not be limited to: 

• Developing skills while working under supervision to deliver stories in a multidisciplinary team
• Understanding and being proficient in different types of testing
• Being aware of but not responsible for security
• Writing clean, maintainable automated testing code.

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

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’.  

This role will be based in Swansea, and we will be operating a hybrid working model that allows you to work between home and on-site giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work, subject to business needs and this also allows for ongoing support, development, and collaboration with colleagues.  

Therefore, the expectation is that you will spend a minimum of 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace (DVLA). We would encourage you to discuss the working arrangements for this role with us during the recruitment process. 

Person specification

We are looking for software engineers who want to develop software that automatically tests other software, able to use modern programming languages and to programmatically test any software product and develop automation for it.

You will have experience of improving QA efficiency through test automation and tools and will proactively look to implement Continuous Testing principles to speed up the feedback cycle for all elements of quality using automation by default.

You will have a high attention to detail and not be afraid to challenge when required and will enjoy working as part of a team in a fast-paced Agile delivery environment.

We strive to ensure that DVLA is a great place to work where everybody can be their true self, be treated with dignity and respect, and according to their individual needs. We have a number of staff network groups run by staff to support their colleagues.  

Working for the DVLA Digital Team 

At the DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the entire 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 an entire nation of individuals and business every single day. That’s huge. No two ways about it.   

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. 

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:

• GDaD - Junior developer - Modern standards approach (Skill level: Working)
• GDaD - Junior developer - Programming and build (software engineering) (Skill level: Working)

Benefits

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. We are firm believers that diverse organisations have the most diverse impact on society, we welcome and encourage applications from absolutely everyone. 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 at least 26.6%, depending on rate of salary and chosen pension scheme 
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks 
• On-site gym plus personal training available 
• 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  
• Ability to buy and sell annual leave.

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   

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement of up to 750 words. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

For your CV and personal statement, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:   

• Experience using modern programming languages
• Experience in testing an application
• Demonstrate that you have an understanding of trends and direction of modern technology and how you do it.

Click here for further guidance on writing a CV and personal statement. 

The sift is due to take place on Tuesday 23rd April 2024.

Interviews will be held from Tuesday 7th May 2024.

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

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

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 testing exercise.

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. 

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 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)