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- Tasks: Lead testing for digital projects, ensuring quality and mentoring team members.
- Company: Join Defra, the UK government department dedicated to protecting the environment and supporting agriculture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, a supportive team, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of transformative IT changes that impact everyday life and contribute to a greener future.
- Qualifications: Experience in software testing, automation, and agile methodologies is essential.
- Other info: Work from various locations with potential for remote options; interviews conducted virtually.
The predicted salary is between 54470 - 61000 £ per year.
Full-time (Permanent) National: £54,470- £61,000 London: £59,900 – £67,090 plus up to £17,770 allowance
Published on 6 August 2025 Deadline 18 August 2025
Location
Our main Defra DDTS hubs are in York, Warrington, Newcastle, Reading and Bristol, however the successful candidate may be contractually based at any Defra office.
Please be aware that space within the London office is restricted and it may not be possible to be based in this location.
About the job
Job summary
Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people\’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
Digital, Data Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.
We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.
Find out more about DDTS:
Digital and Delivery within Digital, Data Technology and Security (DDTS) are looking for Lead Test Engineers.
Take on the role of Lead Test Engineer and be a part of the team who deliver transformative change across the Defra group.
In Defra, you will have the opportunity to influence delivery at a strategic level on some of the most exciting IT transformations cross-government as a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET). We can offer you a position in our established test function with a supportive team, learning and career pathways and the opportunity to develop your skills. We are recruiting for two Lead Test Engineers.
In this role you will be working on several digital services in a challenging environment which continues to evolve as an exemplar in the Quality Assurance and Test (QA&T) profession.
Working in a supportive, diverse and user-focused culture our flexible working arrangements mean you can maintain a healthy work-life balance. You will play an important part in building a digital future for Defra and our customers.
Person specification
Responsibilities
- Working in a multidisciplinary agile team on a wide range of digital projects, you will use Government Digital Service Standards (GDS) and software testing tools.
- You will ensure the right level of quality is built into services throughout the lifecycle of a delivery by engineering automated and functional and non-functional tests.
- As a Lead Test Engineer, you will provide professional software test engineering leadership and influence the automated testing approach.
- You will contribute to the team community, coaching and mentoring team members, promoting knowledge transfer and a culture of continuous improvement.
- You will assess, and own escalated risks raised by other QA&T engineers at the programme and project level.
- Challenge timelines where appropriate and ensure quality of services is in line with standards.
- Driving improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of test processes.
- Helping recruit testers including sifting and interviewing.
Skills and Experience
- A strong dedication to developing self and others. Excellent self-organisational and time management skills enabling you to manage multiple projects often under high pressure and to short/urgent timescales.
- Experience of validating acceptance criteria and using Behavioural Driven Development or similar approaches in practice.
- Experience in testing APIs using Postman, Axios, RestAssured or similar.
- An excellent working knowledge of non-functional testing, using open-source tools.
- You can advise on and implement up-to-date non-functional testing techniques, peer review code and coach others.
- Experience of writing test strategies for business-critical services and providing guidance on risk approaches.
- Experience of testing within a continuous integration and continuous delivery pipeline using Jenkins or Azure DevOps on cloud platforms.
- Experience using source control tools such as GitHub and GitLab.
- Experience using exploratory test techniques to focus testing on the areas of greatest risk.
Selection process
The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.
Ensure you have tailored your CV and Personal Statement to the \’responsibilities\’ and \’skills and experience\’ section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role. We would recommend using the STAR method .
For further information on STAR, you can check out our hints and tips document.
Application
As part of the application process, you will be assessed on yourExperience and will be asked to complete:
- A CV
- A 250 word personal statement – \”Referring to the \’responsibilities\’ and \’skills and experience\’ sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples.\”
- Provide automated functional tests for a shopping cart example web site such as . Your code should be published in Github and a link to the repository included in your application. It should cover 2-3 basic tests. At interview you will be asked further questions about the solution you have provided. Please include the link as part of your personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.
Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.
Interview
If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed onTechnical Skills and the Behaviours listed below.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
The technical skills are aligned with the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability framework for the Lead Test Engineer profession. To find out more about them, please visit the website.
Interview dates are to be confirmed. Please note that these may be subject to change.
Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Developing Self and Others
- Leadership
Technical skills
We\’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
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Lead Test Engineer - DEFRA - G7 employer: Manchester Digital
Contact Detail:
Manchester Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Test Engineer - DEFRA - G7
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Government Digital Service Standards (GDS) as they are crucial for this role. Understanding these standards will not only help you in your application but also demonstrate your commitment to quality and compliance in digital services.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience with Behavioural Driven Development (BDD) and non-functional testing techniques. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these methodologies, as they are key components of the Lead Test Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your leadership skills by providing examples of how you've mentored or coached team members in previous roles. This will resonate well with the responsibilities of influencing and guiding others within the QA&T community at Defra.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with continuous integration and delivery pipelines, particularly using tools like Jenkins or Azure DevOps. Being able to articulate how you've contributed to improving testing processes in a CI/CD environment will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Test Engineer - DEFRA - G7
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to the Lead Test Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience, particularly in automated testing and agile methodologies, and ensure it aligns with the responsibilities and skills outlined in the job description.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement should be concise and focused. Use the STAR method to provide clear examples of how your experience meets the requirements of the role. Remember to include specific instances where you've demonstrated leadership and technical skills.
Showcase Your Code: As part of your application, you need to provide automated functional tests for a shopping cart example website. Ensure your code is well-documented and published on GitHub. Include the link in your personal statement, as this will be a key part of your assessment.
Review and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to review and edit your documents. Check for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Lead Test Engineer.
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and responsibilities of a Lead Test Engineer at Defra. Familiarise yourself with the key skills required, such as experience in Behavioural Driven Development and testing APIs. This will help you tailor your answers to demonstrate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare Your STAR Examples
Utilise the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills and achievements. Focus on situations where you demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and technical expertise relevant to the role, especially in automated testing and quality assurance.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be ready to discuss your technical skills in detail, particularly your experience with tools like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, and GitHub. Prepare to explain your approach to writing test strategies and how you've implemented non-functional testing techniques in previous roles. This will highlight your capability to contribute effectively to the team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the team culture, ongoing projects, and the future direction of the DDTS at Defra. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
