At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead testing strategy for a cutting-edge AWS-based platform, ensuring robustness and scalability.
- Company: Join the Department for Business and Trade, a key player in the global economy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and 25+ days of annual leave.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK businesses while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in test automation, strong coding skills, and familiarity with cloud platforms.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
Join a team at the heart of the global economy! The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Inspire People are partnering together to bring you an exciting opportunity for a Platform Test Lead. With DBT’s AWS-based platform supporting digital services across government, this is your opportunity to lead the testing strategy for one of the UK’s most technically ambitious digital environments — ensuring the platform is robust, secure, and scalable.
You’ll embed automation and quality assurance into how DBT designs, delivers, and evolves its cloud platform, supporting services that help UK businesses grow, invest, and trade globally.
The Role
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated test frameworks for platform components and services.
- Define and own platform-level test strategies including integration, performance, security, and end-to-end testing.
- Work closely with Platform Engineers, Architects, and Cyber specialists to embed testability and resilience in every layer of the platform.
- Drive improvements in deployment testing, enabling faster, more reliable releases.
- Support observability and FinOps initiatives through cost-impact and performance-focused testing.
- Mentor engineers and champion modern test automation and continuous delivery practices.
You’ll work with: AWS, Terraform, Docker/Kubernetes, Python/Java, CI/CD pipelines, Datadog, Grafana, JMeter, Locust, and related automation frameworks.
Essential experience
- Proven experience in test automation for infrastructure and platform engineering, including maturing PaaS/SaaS products.
- Strong coding skills (Python or Java), with experience building reusable test frameworks, utilities, and using BDD approaches (e.g. Gherkin/Cucumber) for collaborative testing.
- Hands‑on experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes), cloud platforms (AWS preferred), and infrastructure‑as‑code (e.g. Terraform).
- Familiarity with observability and performance testing tools (Datadog, ELK, Grafana, Locust, JMeter), plus an understanding of cyber security testing principles and logging requirements.
- Ability to coach multidisciplinary teams, embed quality practices in agile delivery, and apply FinOps‑aware testing approaches (e.g. cost‑impact validation, resource optimisation).
- Knowledge of platform engineering patterns (e.g. sidecar architecture, secure base images, technical contracts).
- Familiarity with accessibility and security testing standards (e.g. OWASP, WCAG).
Security Clearance
This role requires SC clearance. To be eligible, you must have been resident in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
Benefits
- Civil Service pension with average employer contribution of 28.97%
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 with service
- Hybrid/flexible working (2–3 days in office per week)
- Three paid volunteering days per year
- Tailored learning and development opportunities
- Inclusive culture encouraging diversity and innovation
How to Apply
Submit a 2-page CV aligned to the essential criteria. Inspire People will review applications before progressing to DBT hiring managers. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and complete a technical exercise.
Closing statement
If you are a Test Lead, Automation Engineer, or DevOps professional looking to lead testing across a high‑impact platform that drives UK digital transformation, apply today or contact Keesha Paulsen at Inspire People in confidence for more information.
Test Lead employer: Department for Business and Trade
DBT is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can contribute to meaningful technology programmes that drive trade and economic growth across the UK. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and generous benefits including a Civil Service pension and tailored learning opportunities, DBT fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a significant impact in their careers.
Contact Details:
Department for Business and Trade Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Lead
✨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 Department for Business and Trade 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 Department for Business and Trade.
✨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 Department for Business and Trade.
✨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 Department for Business and Trade 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 Test Lead
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 Department for Business and Trade.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Department for Business and Trade 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 Department for Business and Trade
✨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 Department for Business and Trade 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.
