At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead test automation and collaborate with developers to ensure high-quality software.
- Company: Join HM Courts and Tribunals Service, a key player in delivering justice across England and Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, brilliant training opportunities, and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant community of over 500 developers with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on justice while advancing your tech skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in test automation and a passion for quality assurance.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
These are exciting times at HM Court and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). As an agency of the MoJ, we support the judiciary across England and Wales to deliver justice by running courts and tribunals and processing outcomes, and we are looking for talented people to help us achieve our ambitions. It will be challenging, important and rewarding.
HMCTS Digital and Technology Services (DTS) is a specialist technology directorate which provides support to HMCTS in the use of IT and Digital. DTS is committed to being a great place to work and part of our offer is brilliant training opportunities and support from expert colleagues. As well as that you'll find flexible working, an inclusive culture and a place where your opinion is valued.
Our community includes over 500 experienced developers across MoJ and its agencies who make up the broader software engineering community. You will be able to learn from others, share your knowledge and take part in informal support networks with your peers.
As a Software Development Engineer in Test at HMCTS, you will have access to extensive training and development opportunities through our Testing Centre of Excellence. Our commitment to your growth means that you will receive in-depth, in-house training designed to enhance your skills and knowledge, making you proficient in the latest testing methodologies and tools. Whether you are looking to sharpen your testing capabilities, deepen your technical expertise, or expand your leadership skills, our training is tailored to help you succeed in your role and advance your career. This commitment to continuous learning is a core part of our culture, ensuring that you have the tools and knowledge you need to excel in your position and contribute to our ongoing success.
The key purpose of the role includes:
- Writing, debugging, and refactoring test code.
- Leading test automation in CI/CD environments.
- Collaborating closely with software developers to ensure a common understanding of the code base and test coverage at the unit test level.
- Shaping the culture and best practices throughout the Test Centre of Excellence at HMCTS.
- Mentoring and coaching Junior Software Development Engineers in Test.
The development squad you are placed on will be agreed closer to your start date, but examples of products can be found in our GitHub repositories.
Technologies we use include:
- Playwright
- Rest Assured (for API testing)
- Java/JavaScript/TypeScript
- Power Apps (for low-code/no-code application testing)
- Node.js
- Angular
- PostgreSQL
- Microservices
- Azure cloud infrastructure
- Gatling (for performance testing)
- SauceLabs (for cross-browser testing)
- Pa11y, WAVE, aXe (for accessibility testing)
- Jenkins (for deployment automation)
- Dynatrace (for application monitoring)
- Kubernetes and Docker (to run our services)
- Jira/Confluence (for project management and documentation)
- Fortify (for security testing)
Key responsibilities include:
- Promoting and championing shift-left testing principles.
- Leading the development and implementation of test automation strategies in CI/CD environments.
- Writing, amending, and refactoring test automation code.
- Leading in "3 Amigos" sessions as part of the development and testing process.
- Estimating effort for planning and following the agreed methodology.
- Understanding the impact of business processes on the project and systems.
- Analysing test results and identifying patterns and trends.
- Collaborating on designing and building secure products.
- Maintaining full traceability of defects, tests, and requirements.
- Providing mentoring and coaching to Junior Software Development Engineers in Test.
- Contributing to the development of a culture of excellence in test automation within the team.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Demonstrated experience in leading test automation in CI/CD environments.
- Expertise in writing automated testing programs/scripts.
- Strong understanding of REST web services and API inspection tools.
- Familiarity with bug tracking software.
- Ability to identify and manage issues and risks associated with testing.
- Exposure to applying Agile principles in practice.
- Proficiency in defining and implementing test tooling, test environments, and test data.
- Proven ability to design and execute non-functional test cases.
- Experience in accessibility testing, ensuring compliance with WCAG standards.
- Ability to analyse performance bottlenecks and accessibility issues.
Software Developer in Test - HM Courts and Tribunals Service - SEO employer: Government Digital & Data
At HM Courts and Tribunals Service, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions truly matter. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from extensive training opportunities and mentorship from experienced colleagues, all while enjoying a flexible and inclusive culture that values your input. Join us in the East Midlands or other regions across England and Wales, and be part of a team dedicated to delivering justice through innovative technology solutions.
Contact Details:
Government Digital & Data Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Developer in Test - HM Courts and Tribunals Service - SEO
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at HMCTS on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Software Developer in Test role. Personal connections can give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since you'll be leading test automation in CI/CD environments, make sure you're comfortable discussing your experience with tools like Jenkins and Playwright. We want to see your passion for tech!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your mentoring skills! Since part of the role involves coaching Junior Software Development Engineers, think of examples where you've helped others grow. This will highlight your leadership potential and fit within the team culture at HMCTS.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our awesome team at HMCTS.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Developer in Test - HM Courts and Tribunals Service - SEO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Software Developer in Test role. Highlight your experience with test automation, CI/CD environments, and any relevant technologies mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role at HMCTS and how you can contribute to our mission. Be sure to mention any specific projects or experiences that relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't forget to showcase your technical skills! Mention your expertise in writing automated tests, familiarity with REST web services, and any experience with the technologies we use. This will help us see how you can hit the ground running in our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital & Data
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Playwright, Java, and Jenkins. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in your previous roles or projects, as this will show your technical expertise and readiness for the position.
✨Showcase Your Testing Experience
Prepare specific examples of your experience with test automation in CI/CD environments. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as the impact your work had on software quality. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and commitment to excellence.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since you'll be working closely with developers and mentoring juniors, be prepared to discuss your approach to teamwork and communication. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, especially in Agile settings, to illustrate your ability to fit into their culture.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the specific projects you'll be working on. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you, making the interview more of a two-way conversation.
