At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in testing innovative marine navigation systems and enhance software features.
- Company: Join ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a personalised career path, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse projects, team-building events, and a commitment to inclusivity await you.
- Why this job: Make an impact on cutting-edge projects while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in test automation, strong Python skills, and leadership capabilities required.
ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation.
At ALTEN, we support industry-leading organisations in the development of innovative technology solutions across a range of sectors. We are seeking a Software Test Lead to join our team and support the development of next-generation marine navigation systems.
Working on market-leading multifunction display products, you will play a key role in enhancing and evolving software features within an established product portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced test professional to lead testing activities, champion automation best practices, and drive product quality across the software development lifecycle.
Location: Portsmouth
On-site Requirement: 2 days per week onsite
Seniority: Senior
Security Clearance: Not required
Key Responsibilities & Experience:
- Lead and mentor a team of test engineers, promoting best practices in software testing, automation, and quality assurance.
- Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and test scripts, ensuring robust and scalable test coverage.
- Drive test planning, estimation, and testing workshops with stakeholders, supporting effective project delivery.
- Establish and maintain test automation standards, coding standards, and testing strategies across the team.
- Collaborate closely with software engineers, product teams, and stakeholders to ensure quality is embedded throughout the development lifecycle.
- Demonstrable experience leading testing activities and delivering commercial-grade automated test solutions within complex software environments.
Qualifications:
Required Skills:
- Extensive experience with Squish test automation.
- Strong Python scripting and test automation development experience.
- Proven background in test design, test execution, and test leadership.
- Experience developing and maintaining automated testing frameworks.
- Strong understanding of modern software testing methodologies, tools, and industry best practices.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and technical leadership skills.
Soft Skills & Collaboration:
- Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
- Ability to influence technical direction and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Collaborative approach to working with cross-functional software development teams.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking abilities.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience with Qt frameworks.
- Knowledge of GUI testing and validation.
- Experience working on embedded software or software-controlled products.
- Familiarity with Agile development environments.
- Experience within maritime, navigation, electronics, or other safety-critical industries.
Additional Information:
We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies. At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals. Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.
In short you get:
- A personalised career path and a rewarding management style.
- A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Cycle & Tech Scheme.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Life insurance & Pension Scheme.
- Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings.
- Flexible way of working (role dependent).
We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.
ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.
Software Test Lead in Portsmouth employer: Alten Ltd
ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering engineers to tackle complex challenges in a supportive environment. With a focus on personal career development, diverse engineering projects, and a commitment to work-life balance, employees enjoy benefits such as private medical insurance, flexible working arrangements, and a vibrant social atmosphere. Located in Portsmouth, this role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge marine navigation systems while being part of a passionate team dedicated to building tomorrow's world today.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Test Lead in Portsmouth
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Alten Ltd or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Alten Ltd.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Alten Ltd.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Alten Ltd that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Test Lead in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Alten Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Alten Ltd and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alten Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Alten Ltd uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
