Software Test Engineer - DV

Job description: Are you passionate about quality engineering and ensuring software is secure, reliable, and built to the highest standards? Do you enjoy working with modern automation frameworks, influencing engineering best practice, and solving complex technical challenges alongside talented multidisciplinary teams? If so, we'd love to hear from you. About Our ClientOur client is a leading technology consultancy delivering secure, mission-critical solutions to the UK Government and Defence sector. Their work supports some of the nation's most important programmes, helping government departments make critical decisions that strengthen the UK's security and prosperity. With a team of more than 450 highly skilled professionals, they combine technical excellence with a collaborative, people-first culture. Every project delivers real-world impact, giving engineers the opportunity to work on challenging problems while contributing to the UK's national security. This is more than just software testingit's an opportunity to help deliver technology that matters. The RoleAs a *Senior Test Engineer*, you'll become part of a small, agile delivery team responsible for assuring the quality of secure, mission-critical software throughout the entire development lifecycle. Working closely with software engineers, DevOps specialists, architects, and product teams, you'll champion quality from the earliest stages of development, ensuring testing is embedded throughout modern CI/CD pipelines. You'll have the opportunity to influence engineering standards, improve automation frameworks, and contribute to the continuous evolution of testing practices across multiple high-impact projects. What You'll Be Doing * Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for UI, API, and end-to-end testing. * Deliver both manual and automated testing across complex software solutions. * Embed quality engineering practices throughout the Software Development Lifecycle. * Work within Agile teams using modern engineering approaches including TDD, BDD, ATDD, and Continuous Testing. * Design and execute functional, integration, regression, and exploratory testing. * Perform non-functional testing including performance, security, accessibility, and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT). * Collaborate with developers and DevOps engineers to ensure quality is integrated into CI/CD pipelines. * Contribute to improving QA processes, automation frameworks, tooling, and engineering standards. * Mentor colleagues and promote best practice across delivery teams. What We're Looking ForWe're looking for experienced Test Engineers who enjoy tackling complex technical challenges and continuously improving the way software is delivered. Essential Experience * Strong commercial experience in both manual and automated software testing. * Experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks. * Strong understanding of Agile delivery methodologies. * Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines. * Knowledge of API, UI, integration, and end-to-end testing. * Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. * Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Experience with technologies such as * Playwright * Selenium * Cypress * WebdriverIO * Cucumber * Robot Framework * Serenity BDD * Rest Assured Experience across cloud environments, DevOps practices, and modern software delivery pipelines would also be beneficial. Security ClearanceDue to the highly sensitive nature of the projects, *current UK Developed Vetting (DV) Clearance is essential* for this position. Why Join?You'll become part of an organisation that invests heavily in its people while working on projects that genuinely make a difference. Benefits * Hybrid working with offices in *Bristol, Cheltenham, and Manchester* * Flexible working (Flexitime) * Dedicated Career Coach and personalised development support * Continuous training and professional development * Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 wellbeing support * Regular social events, annual away days, and company celebrations * On-site lunch and refreshments when working with clients * A collaborative, inclusive engineering culture where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged Diversity & InclusionOur client is proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer. They are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to succeed. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process, and candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions who meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview in line with the Disability Confident scheme. Interested?If you're a DV-cleared Senior Test Engineer looking to work on technically challenging projects that have a genuine impact on UK national security, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact us for a confidential conversation about the opportunity. Qualifications: * Using a variety of technologies, with a focus on open-source tools and frameworks. * Manual & automation software testing. * Working with DevOps and agile methodologiesTDD, BDD, ATDDand continuous testing through CI/CD pipelines, with manual/exploratory testing when needed. * Designing and implementing automated test frameworks across UI & API. * We typically work with technologies like Selenium, Cypress.io, Webdriver.io, Playwright, Cucumber, Robot Framework, Serenity BDD, and Rest Assured. * Sharing new ideas with the QA team and helping improve our test frameworks and processes. * Conducting non-functional testing, covering areas like Security, Performance, Accessibility, and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT). Why is This a Great Opportunity: Our client is proud of their supportive, inclusive, and team-focused environment where everyone can thrive. They value each member of their team and want you to feel excited about coming to work. Their benefits package reflects how much they care about their people: * *WELLBEING* Free 24/7 counselling helpline and employee assistance programme. * *WORK YOUR BEST* City-centre offices across the UK, with flexitime and the option to work from home. * *LEARN & GROW* A dedicated Career Coach to guide your development. * *SOCIAL* Fun events throughout the year, including socials, a Summer Party in London, and annual awaydays. * *ONSITE ALLOWANCES* Expenses for lunch and drinks. They have offices in Bristol, Cheltenham and Manchester. *Salary Type *: Annual Salary *Salary Min *: £ 40000 *Salary Max *: £ 70000 *Currency Type *: GBP