Senior Data Test Engineer (Testing and Automation) - DWP - G7

Location

This role may be located in one of the following locations; Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and 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'.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on Data Enablement, who are a key part of DWP’s Digital modernisation programme. This area owns data enabling products and is responsible for the transformation to bring Data and Analytics managed data through new products.  

You will be working as part of the Strategic Modern Analytical Tooling programme, responsible for migrating and transforming the core analytical tools used by Data & Analytics, to modernise their SAS 9.4 analytical platform to SAS Viya. 

As a Senior Test Engineer you will define the overall testing strategy, provide technical leadership and guidance to test engineering teams, and have oversight of all testing activities. You will ensure that best practices are in place, and drive improvements by sharing knowledge and resources across teams. 

As part of the role, you will be required to travel regularly to the other digital hubs. The frequency of this will be discussed further should you be successful. 

If this sounds like you, apply now! 

Job description

Roles & Responsibilities include: 

• Lead delivery of testing activities, ensuring that quality, time and cost objectives are met. 
• Act as an escalation point for defects or issues preventing delivery of Test Engineering activities.
• Define the approach for test infrastructure setup and use outputs to drive technical improvements.
• Identify appropriate required technical test tools. 
• Monitor performance of the test suite and identify how this can be improved by reducing technical debt. 
• Drive standardisation by sharing reusable libraries and services, experience, and lessons learned with other DWP teams.
• Drive collaboration by aligning what teams are working on and highlighting the key dependencies, impacts and priorities. 
• Develop appropriate test approaches and reporting mechanisms to be agreed with senior stakeholders 
• Ensure that usability, accessibility, security, stability and capacity are embedded in the development of citizen services. 

Methodology:

• Collaborate and work together with other teams in the Software Development Lifecycle to align strategic goals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Agile and Waterfall delivery principles, methodology and tools.
• Lead the setup and adoption of continuous integration, delivery and deployment practices. 

Development and Learning:

• Lead reviews of test practices and provide guidance on improvements and lessons learned.
• Lead community discussions around the latest technology trends, tools, and best practices within Test Engineering.
• Commit to continuous personal development, learning and training.
• Support the professional development of Test Engineering team members through coaching, mentoring and access to appropriate learning resources. 
• Play a significant role in recruitment & performance assessment activities within the department.

Person specification

See selection process for further details.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Caicy.sandford1@dwp.gov.uk.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Testing