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- Tasks: Lead test engineering efforts and drive quality initiatives for innovative digital government services.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, shaping the future of digital government in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national digital challenges while working with top digital professionals.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading testing phases and expertise in functional and non-functional testing.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 61740 - 70219 £ per year.
£61,740 - £70,219 (London) / £56,070 - £61,939 (National) Based on capability
Published on 9 February 2026
Deadline 22 February 2026
Location: Bristol, London, Manchester
About the job
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.
Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale. Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You will solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you will join the Quality Engineering team within the GOV.UK One Login program. This role involves leading test engineering efforts for product and cross-product delivery, covering both functional and non-functional testing. A key part of this role is championing quality engineering initiatives to ensure the seamless integration and delivery of reliable and resilient products. You will also have the opportunity to drive innovation in testing methodologies, mentor team members, and embed quality engineering practices throughout our software development lifecycle.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you’ll:
- drive continuous improvement by leading and guiding teams in quality engineering, and optimising quality practices and processes
- act as a subject matter expert in test engineering, continuously learning new functional and non-functional testing (performance, accessibility, resilience etc) technologies, and supporting teams with their adoption
- lead and guide quality engineers in defining the test approach, test planning, and implementing automated test suites to ensure both functional and non-functional acceptance criteria are met
- conduct Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) to ensure systems meet all operational requirements and are production-ready
- analyse technical, functional, and business requirements, gathering evidence to identify problems and opportunities, and ensure recommendations align with strategic business objectives
- influence the architecture and design of new features early in the development cycle to drive quality, testability, and specification adherence
Person specification
We’re interested in people who:
- have proven ability to lead and manage all phases of testing (functional and non-functional) across multiple teams, from initial business understanding through to production delivery. This includes expertise in technical leadership, quality improvement, developing test strategies, automation, reporting, and testing in CI/CD environments
- have experience in leading non-functional testing, specifically Performance, Accessibility, Resilience testing and Compatibility testing. Proficient in applying a diverse range of test types, tools, and industry standards
- are an adaptable team member within a Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) environment, demonstrating competency in the deployment of relevant tools and methodologies. Initiates proactive measures to implement and champion 'shift left and shift right' quality assurance principles
- can cultivate a quality-centric, 'whole team' approach, and enhance the testing capabilities within delivery teams
- have comprehensive understanding of production testing, observability, and real-usage monitoring. Able to implement risk-based test strategies that guarantee system reliability and provide actionable insights into user behaviour
Senior Test Engineer - Government Digital Service - G7 in London employer: Manchester Digital
Contact Detail:
Manchester Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Test Engineer - Government Digital Service - G7 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GDS on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost our chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to test engineering. We should also be ready to discuss our past projects and how we’ve driven quality improvements. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for digital government! During interviews, let’s talk about how we can contribute to GDS’s mission of modernising public services. It’ll show we’re not just looking for a job, but a purpose.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team at GDS.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Test Engineer - Government Digital Service - G7 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Test Engineer role. Highlight your experience in leading testing phases and any specific technologies you've worked with that align with our needs at GDS.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use examples from your past work to show how you’ve driven quality engineering initiatives and improved testing processes. We love seeing real-world applications of your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your experiences and achievements. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to technical details!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on both functional and non-functional testing methodologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with performance, accessibility, and resilience testing, as well as any tools you've used in a CI/CD environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Test Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams. Prepare examples of how you've guided teams in quality engineering practices and how you've influenced test strategies in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about how you've driven continuous improvement in testing processes. Share specific instances where you've optimised quality practices or implemented new testing methodologies that had a positive impact on project outcomes.
✨Align with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with the Government Digital Service's mission and priorities. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their goals of driving a modern digital government and enhancing public sector services.
