At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead testing activities for complex technical systems in a safety-critical environment.
- Company: Join NATS, a leader in Defence & Security with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive contract rate and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage with multi-disciplinary teams.
- Why this job: Make a difference in safety-critical systems while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in test management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
NATS, a renowned organisation in the Defence & Security sector, is currently seeking a skilled Test Manager for a contract opportunity in Aberdeen.
This role involves supporting the delivery of complex technical systems within a safety-critical environment, focusing on test planning, execution, defect management, quality assurance, and test assurance governance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of testing activities across new and existing technical systems.
- Oversee the full end-to-end test lifecycle, ensuring activities are planned, controlled, executed, and evidenced to the required standard.
- Provide expert direction for the test strategy, planning, estimating, implementation, and conduct of test programmes.
- Develop, review, and maintain test strategies, test plans, test scripts, checklists, test reports, and supporting quality assurance documentation.
- Define test requirements and design tests to satisfy system, safety, user, and project requirements.
- Ensure requirements are testable, complete, and traceable, with clear linkage between requirements, test activity, evidence, and outcomes.
- Support the definition of acceptance criteria and contribute evidence and recommendations to acceptance reviews or acceptance panels.
- Manage test execution records, including test outcomes, evidence, completion dates, tester details, defects, and recommendations.
Job Requirements
- Previous experience in a Test Manager, Test Lead or senior test coordination role.
- Strong background in test planning, test execution, test assurance, and defect management within a structured project or systems environment.
- Experience managing testing across the system lifecycle, including requirements review, test design, test execution, reporting, and acceptance support.
- Good understanding of test methodologies, quality assurance principles, systems engineering, and software testing processes.
- Experience working with real-time, operational or safety-critical technical systems.
- Experience within aviation, air traffic control, systems engineering, or another safety-critical environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to work effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.
Desirable Experience
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computing, or another relevant technical discipline, or equivalent technical experience.
- HNC-level qualification or higher in an engineering-related discipline would also be considered.
- Knowledge of radar data processing, flight data processing, voice communications, or similar operational technology would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance environments and working to defined safety standards.
- Experience contributing to work package management, project reporting, resource estimates, test metrics, and assurance evidence.
- Experience supporting acceptance activity, acceptance criteria definition or formal system acceptance reviews.
- TPBN1_UKTJ
Test Manager in Aberdeen employer: Defence
As a Systems Engineer at our Bristol location, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering cutting-edge training systems in a secure environment. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities to help you advance your career. Join us for a rewarding experience where your contributions directly impact the success of our projects and the safety of our nation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Manager in Aberdeen
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at Defence that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Manager in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Defence, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like Defence want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what Defence will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Defence
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at Defence. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, Defence might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at Defence. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at Defence, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
