At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the testing journey, mentor others, and implement innovative test frameworks.
- Company: Join Companies House, a key player in government services, driving digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Remote work options available for those outside commuting distance to our offices.
- Why this job: Shape the future of testing while promoting quality and continuous improvement in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in automation testing, Agile methodologies, and mentoring other testers required.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 46000 £ per year.
Overview
Lead Test Engineer role at Companies House. You will be part of the lead tester group, coaching and mentoring other testers and leading the test automation, functional and non-functional areas of software testing. You will oversee the testing journey with management responsibilities and act as an advocate for quality and behaviour driven development. This is an exciting opportunity in the Digital Services team, joining during a transformation to shape the future of the department. We use Agile methodologies and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
This role offers the chance to help the test community thrive by exploring new tools and approaches and to help the organisation deliver better services. It also provides an opportunity to contribute to the success of existing and future services provided by Companies House.
We offer a flexible and welcoming culture with a focus on wellbeing and work-life balance, including flexible working with no core hours, 30 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day, and Civil Service Pension Scheme membership with a contribution rate averaging 28%.
Responsibilities
- Lead test efforts in your squad with a focus on quality assurance, mentoring junior testers, and driving continuous improvement across the QA process.
- Identify and implement test frameworks to improve confidence in testing (we are migrating from a bespoke Selenium/Java solution to Playwright & TypeScript).
- Support the broader testing practice by contributing to cross-team releases and actively driving improvements in testing processes.
- Design and execute non-functional test cases using standard testing techniques.
- Advise on up-to-date functional testing techniques and peer-review the work of others.
- Be proficient in a range of coding languages (specialist in one or more).
- Line manage junior testers to foster growth, support their development, and build team capability.
Person specification / Qualifications
- Professional certification: Hold a relevant certification (e.g., ISTQB, ISEB) or demonstrate equivalent practical experience in functional and non-functional testing.
- Automation testing expertise: Proven ability in test automation using modern technologies, with experience in frameworks such as Java, Selenium, or Cucumber. Experience with Playwright and TypeScript is particularly desirable.
- Coaching and mentoring: Strong track record of supporting and developing Test Engineers, especially in automation skills.
- Agile experience: Certified Agile Tester or substantial hands-on experience in Agile methodologies.
- Non-functional testing: Experience in security, performance and accessibility testing.
- Has working knowledge of a minimum of 5 of the following: API, AWS, Burp, Concourse/Jenkins, Docker, JMeter, Karate/Rest API, MongoDB, Kafka, Oracle, Playwright, Postman/SOAP UI, SQL, TypeScript, Unix-based systems, Git, XML.
Salary and benefits
Salary: £41,571 plus employer contribution of £12,043 to the Civil Service Pension scheme. Find out what benefits the Civil Service Pension provides.
- 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day
- Enrollment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme with a contribution rate averaging 28%
- Recognition schemes including instant awards
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Great work-life balance with flexible and mobile working where available
- Proactive wellbeing program and Investors in People platinum accreditation
- Online financial support and advice
- Seasonal flu jabs
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave allowances
- Focus on career development and progression
- Inclusive networks, sports and social activities
- Cycle to work scheme
Next Steps
Click \\\'Apply Now\\\' to be taken to our main Civil Service Jobs advert where you can see more details about the role, benefits, and working at Companies House.
If you have questions about the role or process, please contact kjones6@companieshouse.gov.uk.
This role closes on 12 October 2025.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Information Technology, Engineering, and Other
Industries
Government Administration
Note: This description has been refined for clarity and structure while preserving the original content.
Lead Test Engineer in Cardiff employer: Companies House
Companies House is an exceptional employer, offering a flexible and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and work-life balance. With a generous benefits package including 30 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth, you will thrive in a supportive environment that champions continuous improvement and innovation in the Digital Services team. Join us in Cardiff to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career as a Lead Test Engineer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Test Engineer in Cardiff
✨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 Companies House 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 Companies House.
✨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 Companies House.
✨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 Companies House 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 Lead Test Engineer in Cardiff
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 Companies House.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Companies House 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 Companies House
✨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 Companies House 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.
