Test Engineer

Health Research Authority

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

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 Test Engineer, you will create and drive the automated test engineering approach within the Research Systems Programme working closely with the Test Manager and other colleagues in the Agile Development team. You will determine and implement automation approaches 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.

Main duties of the job

  • 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.
  • Be proficient in a range of coding languages(C#, .Net, Java, Javascript, Node, React etc)
  • 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 (ST), integration (SIT) and user acceptance testing (UAT) 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 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 practices(automation & manual)

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.

We're 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 help us to deliver the best services.

We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Other diverse characteristics

We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for you, we'll do our best to make it work for us.

Please note, if applying to our Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.

Date posted

24 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,056 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

27 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

980-HRA7084924-B

Job locations

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place, London Road

Manchester

M1 3BN


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role sits within HRA Digital. The HRA Digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of national information systems for health research. This includes a major programmeto build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow system and to achievethe successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).

The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRAemployees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

Test Engineer will be responsible for the execution of test activities within the HRA Digital Directorate. This will involve the planning and coordination of testing activities of key national information systems for health research in the UK managed by the Health Research Authority (HRA). The test analysis and planning activity undertaken will include discovery capture, test definition and the estimation of test effort, as part of a broader risk-based approach within functional and non-functional testing.

The Test Engineer will ensure that all products delivered both internally and by suppliers, including significant update releases and routine fixes, are thoroughly tested, and accepted before delivery into live service. They will be required to manage and coordinate the system, system integration and user acceptance testing in line with the HRAs practices and procedures. They will also have the primary responsibility for writing, debugging and refactoring test code for end to end automation testing using HRAs preferred automation toolset(Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber etc)

To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.

In submitting your application with us, please note the following:

We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.

We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under anysponsorship arrangement.

Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficientnumber of applications.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role sits within HRA Digital. The HRA Digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of national information systems for health research. This includes a major programmeto build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow system and to achievethe successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).

The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRAemployees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

Test Engineer will be responsible for the execution of test activities within the HRA Digital Directorate. This will involve the planning and coordination of testing activities of key national information systems for health research in the UK managed by the Health Research Authority (HRA). The test analysis and planning activity undertaken will include discovery capture, test definition and the estimation of test effort, as part of a broader risk-based approach within functional and non-functional testing.

The Test Engineer will ensure that all products delivered both internally and by suppliers, including significant update releases and routine fixes, are thoroughly tested, and accepted before delivery into live service. They will be required to manage and coordinate the system, system integration and user acceptance testing in line with the HRAs practices and procedures. They will also have the primary responsibility for writing, debugging and refactoring test code for end to end automation testing using HRAs preferred automation toolset(Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber etc)

To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.

In submitting your application with us, please note the following:

We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.

We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under anysponsorship arrangement.

Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficientnumber of applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to a master's level or equivalent in IS / IT field or portfolio of equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to work at this level
  • Certified in ISTQB Foundation

Desirable

  • Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Skills Knowledge Expertise

Essential

  • Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of test tools such as Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber, JMeter
  • Working knowledge of Software coding language in the Microsoft stack E.g.: C#, node.js, JavaScript etc
  • Working knowledge of any other SQL and relational databases

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within the test team delivering successful outcomes
  • Experience of working as an automated test engineer
  • Practical experience of testing on .NET, SQL and Microservices architecture

Qualifications

Desirable

  • Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

  • Lead on the analysis of complex requirements and derive testable scenarios

Knowledge, skills and Expertise

Essential

  • Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of testing techniques
  • Comprehensive knowledge of code version management tools like GitHub, Azure DevOps

Interpersonal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information. This requires Written English skills at a level to summarise complex issues into a document and Verbal English skills to be able to articulate procedural issues and comprehend complex discussion.

Analytical and Judgemental skills

Essential

  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of the Pega Platform

Interpersonal Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work within and contribute to a high performing team
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to a master's level or equivalent in IS / IT field or portfolio of equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to work at this level
  • Certified in ISTQB Foundation

Desirable

  • Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Skills Knowledge Expertise

Essential

  • Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of test tools such as Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber, JMeter
  • Working knowledge of Software coding language in the Microsoft stack E.g.: C#, node.js, JavaScript etc
  • Working knowledge of any other SQL and relational databases

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working within the test team delivering successful outcomes
  • Experience of working as an automated test engineer
  • Practical experience of testing on .NET, SQL and Microservices architecture

Qualifications

Desirable

  • Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

  • Lead on the analysis of complex requirements and derive testable scenarios

Knowledge, skills and Expertise

Essential

  • Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of testing techniques
  • Comprehensive knowledge of code version management tools like GitHub, Azure DevOps

Interpersonal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information. This requires Written English skills at a level to summarise complex issues into a document and Verbal English skills to be able to articulate procedural issues and comprehend complex discussion.

Analytical and Judgemental skills

Essential

  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of the Pega Platform

Interpersonal Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work within and contribute to a high performing team

Employer details

Employer name

Health Research Authority

Address

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place, London Road

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Health Research Authority

Address

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place, London Road

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Quality Assurance and Test Manager

Charu Verma

charu.verma@hra.nhs.uk

Date posted

24 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,056 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

27 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

980-HRA7084924-B

Job locations

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place, London Road

Manchester

M1 3BN


Supporting documents

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