At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Testing Team to enhance and innovate our software through manual and automated testing.
- Company: Iken, a leading independent software company in Bristol with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 24 days leave, health perks, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performance team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on software quality while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in manual and automated testing, strong communication skills, and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About us
Iken is an independent software company based in central Bristol. We have an excellent reputation for both our efficiency and productivity boosting products and our approach to client care. The Iken team is made up of people who aspire to high performance and continuous improvement of themselves and the business - and that’s what we’re looking for from you. Our company values are at the heart of what all our employees do, and we want to work with people with whom these values resonate. Within your role you will be expected to work inter-dependently, taking responsibility for your own success and that of the company - whilst being part of a high challenge and high support company culture with a busy social life and corporate social responsibility agenda.
About the role
As part of the Testing Team, Software Testers contribute to the improvement and innovation of our knowledge management software. Working in an Agile Scrum environment, you will work with colleagues across several teams in the planning, development and execution of manual and automated test scripts to qualitatively assess releases and upgrades to desktop and web applications according to business requirements and our testing strategy. As part of the testing process, you will be responsible for detecting, reporting and tracking software defects through to resolution.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the Test Manager in the delivery of a high performing Testing Team by providing specialist expertise.
- Planning, designing and executing manual and automated tests for changes to Iken’s knowledge management and case management software based on functional and non-functional requirements.
- Contributing to the example mapping and sprint planning activities in reviewing and evaluating requirements.
- Assisting in the definition of the requirements for environment, data, resources and tools to deliver on testing requirements for a project.
- Manage the end to end defect lifecycle by detecting, raising and tracking software issues through resolution and closure. Working collaboratively with developers. Ensuring the fix or workaround provided is valid. Keeping test cases updated as required.
- Reviewing test plans, defects and test results with a view to continually improving the testing process and the quality of software product.
- Communicating test progress, results and providing constructive feedback at appropriate Agile ceremonies.
- Keeping up to date with testing technologies to ensure productivity is enhanced wherever possible personally and for the team.
- Actively participate in daily scrums and other sprint meetings, including identifying areas for improvement.
- Maintain test documentation and revise as needed to improve testing function and practices.
- Contribute to and adhere to testing standards and best practice in areas including functional and non-functional testing, defect management and environment management where appropriate.
- Contribute to an environment which encourages sharing of good practice, technical knowledge and product knowledge to the wider delivery team, including developers, testers and product.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience of manual and automated testing of desktop and web applications in an Agile Scrum environment incl. iterative development, design reviews, personas, example mapping.
- Good understanding of all types of functional and non-functional testing.
- Experience of scripting test cases in Gherkin.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills with thorough attention to detail whilst maintaining awareness of the bigger picture.
- Working knowledge of testing desktop & web applications across multiple platforms incl. UI testing, and accessibility testing to meet WCAG AA standard.
- Exposure to security testing (OWASP) and use of the Visual Studio suite.
- Good knowledge of API testing.
- Competent user of Azure DevOps, GIT.
- Understanding of test automation frameworks incl. the test coverage of automated tests in Selenium, Playwright, BackstopJS, Postman; tests via CICD pipelines.
- Basic knowledge of SQL.
- Keen interest in new technologies and applications to our business area.
- ISTQB Certification (preferred not essential).
What you’ll get:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- 24 days annual leave (excl. Bank holidays), increasing each year of service.
- Health and Wellbeing platform.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- 6% Employer Contribution Pension.
Software Tester in Bristol employer: Iken Business
Iken is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Bristol, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises high performance and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on health and wellbeing, all while being part of a collaborative team that values innovation and corporate social responsibility. With ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, Iken is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where every team member can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Tester 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 Iken Business 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 Iken Business.
✨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 Iken Business.
✨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 Iken Business 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 Software Tester 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 Iken Business.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Iken Business 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 Iken Business
✨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 Iken Business 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.
