Senior Test Engineer in Newcastle

The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.

Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.

Job overview

Quality Assurance and Testing is an important part of the delivery of digital systems within the HRA. We have a team of skilled test professionals who make sure quality is delivered in the most effective way. We are looking to add automation engineering skills to our existing team as we value automating as much of the test effort as possible allowing our team of specialists to undertake better evaluations of the overall product set. As a Senior Test Engineer, you will create and drive the automated test engineering approach within the RSP working closely with the Head of Test and others in the Agile development team. You will determine and implement automation approaches using Playwright (typescript) to assure, measure and build quality into every phase of the software life cycle. This involves developing or enhancing automation frameworks that help deliver scalable tests which are faster, frequent, and continuous. The job also involves performing manual testing where automation is not suitable.

The interview will contain a mandatory technical test for playwright/NFT coding skills where you will be expected to write and share code in the interview. You should demonstrate your knowledge of this on your CV.

Job responsibilities

• Identify new and implement existing test automation frameworks
• Work on both functional and non-functional areas of complex system(s) built with multiple technologies (Microsoft, PEGA etc)
• Identify and raise awareness of defects, issues, risks arising from the automation test results
• Be proficient in a range of coding languages (C#, .Net, Java, JavaScript, Node, React, typescript etc)
• Work closely with members of Agile team
• Collaborate with senior test analysts, business to make sure the required business scenarios are covered in the test scripts
• Carry out system, integration and user acceptance testing using manual and automated techniques
• Lead on change impact assessment of all changes ensuring that test coverage mitigates any impact to external stakeholders
• Work with the HRA’s User Acceptance Team representatives and external users to perform acceptance testing of HRA software system changes
• Manage own work within the timelines agreed

Duties above are not an exhaustive list. The applicant will be expected to perform their duties as per ISTQB best practices (automation & manual).

Working for our organisation

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged. Working at the HRA, our approach to flexible working is designed to support us all, recognising that for many people, home based or hybrid working provides us with the most productive environment to work well. We will try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible. The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For staff based in Manchester or Nottingham, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work-life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made upon request, for candidates with a disability. The HRA welcomes applicants who are interested in flexible working including job share, part time work, secondments or home-based working. Please discuss any preferred flexibility at your interview.