Lead Test Engineer - DWP - G6
Government Digital & Data -
Location
This role may be located in one of the following locations; Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield.
Please find further information on the Corporate hub locations here.
Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.
About the job
Job summary
Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see 'Selection process details'.
Do you want to be part of an energetic, innovative team and bring your skills to one of the biggest changes to the administration of the Civil Service in decades?
We’re looking for people who are flexible, intuitive and are comfortable taking high levels of volume, speed and complexity in their stride.
An exciting new role is available in the Synergy Programme, a cross-departmental group formed in response to Government Business Service’s request for individual departments to group together in ‘clusters’ to drive efficiencies, increase buying power and improve the quality of shared service to our end users – our people.
The Synergy Programme is the largest of five departmental clusters, comprising the Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Home Office. The Department for Work and Pensions hosts the Synergy Programme. Your work will impact Shared Services arrangements and support almost a quarter of a million officials and public servants across the four departments and arm’s length bodies who deliver some of the most vital public services in our country.
The success of the programme is crucial, as Civil Servants rely on shared services to provide business critical tools in human resources, finance, payroll and procurement. It affects everything we do, from joining a department as a new starter, the way we claim for expenses, how we buy goods and services such as our laptops and canteen provisions, to the way we receive our pensions when we retire.
Most importantly, we’re looking for applications from people who can also demonstrate a passion for our core ambition - delivering a once in a generation, transformed service that Civil Servants will use because of the Synergy Programme.
Please note - As part of the role, you may be required to travel regularly to the other digital hubs. The frequency of this will be discussed further should you be successful.
Job description
You will help further build our Test Engineering capability and provide career development for our existing Test Engineer Community. You will take responsibility for talent, succession planning and managing supplier relationships.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Define the Test Strategy for Oracle Fusion and new business processes.
- Produce Test progress reports for all test phases covering Fusion HR, Finance, Integrations, Reports, Recruitment, Talent, Learning, Payroll.
- Run the payroll parallel.
- Produce Test Completion reports and manage control gates for all test phases.
- Define and maintain a traceability matrix and test execution plan.
- Be responsible for managing testing activities within development or integration activities.
- Manages risks and can take preventative action when risks become unacceptable.
- Manages customer relations.
- Defect management and defect reporting to stakeholders.
- Produce high quality test artefacts such as Test plans, Test scripts, Test schedules, Test progress reports, Test completion/closure reports). Defines clear entry and exit criteria.
Person specification
When giving details in your employment history and personal statement you should highlight your experience in line with essential criteria below:
- Lead Criterion - Demonstrate strong experience in leading test teams across modern SaaS platforms, particularly Oracle Fusion.
- Effectively coach and lead teams in Agile and Lean practices, selecting and adapting the right approach throughout the project lifecycle. Recognised as an advocate for continuous improvement.
- Communicate priorities and expectations clearly and enthusiastically. Build and maintain networks to progress shared objectives and remain approachable and receptive to new ideas.
- Provide expert guidance on up-to-date non-functional testing techniques and can test strategies and provide guidance on defect management and reporting.
- Actively support team development through mentoring, peer reviews, and role clarity. Understand individual needs and ensures skills are fully utilised.
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Richard.hanley@dwp.gov.uk.
