At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to tackle complex challenges in national security through innovative testing solutions.
- Company: Specialist software consultancy focused on high-stakes operational challenges.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, career growth support, and up to 5 days of external training.
- Other info: High-level security clearance preferred; commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in national security while working with cutting-edge tools and practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in manual and automated testing, agile methodologies, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're a specialist software consultancy delivering bespoke, high‑stakes solutions to complex operational challenges for our clients. As the business grows, we're looking to speak with an experienced Senior Test Engineer to join a live project within our National Security division. No two problems we solve look the same, so we need people who thrive on pace and fresh thinking. We're after quick learners who bring flexibility and genuine enthusiasm for new challenges. The work is deeply collaborative; strong relationship‑builders do best here.
The Role
- You'll join a small, fast‑moving agile delivery team working on one of our active projects, with a central role in embedding continuous automated testing early and throughout the CI/CD lifecycle.
- Day to day, you can expect to be involved in:
- Working across a broad toolset, with a focus on open‑source frameworks
- Manual and automated software testing
- DevOps and agile delivery practices — TDD, BDD, ATDD, and continuous testing via CI/CD pipelines, backed up by manual and exploratory testing where needed
- Designing and building automated test frameworks spanning UI and API layers
- Common tools in our stack include Selenium, Cypress.io, Webdriver.io, Playwright, Cucumber, Robot Framework, Serenity BDD, and Rest Assured
- Feeding into the broader QA function, proposing improvements to frameworks and processes and owning them through to delivery
- Non‑functional testing across security, performance, accessibility, and operational acceptance (OAT), using a range of specialist tools
What We're Looking For
- Our test engineers like variety and welcome a challenge, so we're looking for a proactive, can‑do mindset.
- Staying current with emerging tools and best practices matters to us, so an appetite for continuous learning is essential.
- You'll have solid experience across manual and automated testing, with a track record on complex systems.
- You should be equally comfortable working within an agile team and operating independently, embedding best practice as you go.
- Given the nature of this sector, candidates with high‑level security clearance (eDV) are preferred. Eligibility typically requires British citizenship and five years’ continuous UK residency.
Culture & Benefits
We invest heavily in our people, aiming for an inclusive, dynamic, team‑first environment where everyone can do their best work. We back self‑directed career growth, with up to 5 days of external training, a dedicated career coach, and guilds for sharing knowledge and innovation across the business.
Equal Opportunities
We're committed to being an equal opportunities employer, building a genuinely inclusive workplace free from discrimination based on ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, veteran status, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or health condition. As a Disability Confident employer, we:
- Offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process on request
- Guarantee an interview to candidates with disabilities or health conditions who meet the minimum role criteria
- Support our people in shaping an ongoing, genuine culture of inclusion
Senior Test Engineer- National Security Team in Bristol employer: Forward Role
At Forward Role, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among our Cloud & DevOps Engineers. With competitive salaries and opportunities for professional growth in the thriving tech hubs of London and beyond, we empower our employees to tackle complex engineering challenges in National Security environments while working with cutting-edge technologies like AWS and Kubernetes. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your expertise and supports your career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Test Engineer- National Security Team in Bristol
✨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 Forward Role 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 Forward Role.
✨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 Forward Role.
✨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 Forward Role 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 Senior Test Engineer- National Security Team in Bristol
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 Forward Role.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Forward Role 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 Forward Role
✨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 Forward Role 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.
