At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software testing and ensure high-quality standards in a cutting-edge tech environment.
- Company: Join a world-leading authority in precision timing with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional development and security clearance.
- Why this job: Make a difference in digital infrastructure and help secure essential services for society.
- Qualifications: Experience in Unix/Linux software testing and Agile methodologies required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Software Test Engineer with expertise in Unix/Linux software testing and quality assurance. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems such as GPS – which are increasingly vulnerable to disruption from solar storms, jamming and spoofing.
This will underpin essential services, including:
- Telecommunications
- Online banking
- Emergency response
- Transport networks
- Wider digital and data-driven operations
Together, these services form the backbone of modern society – and your leadership will help ensure they remain secure, reliable and robust even if global navigation satellite systems fail.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership within the software team – setting and promoting best practice in software design, coding standards, security and CI/CD pipelines, with special emphasis on reliability and testability.
- Write software requirements and design, develop and implement traceable test strategies.
- Develop and improve software quality standards – ensure software and platform practices conform to engineering standards.
- Build software test frameworks – write automated tests, contribute to application codebase.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Experience: Experience building robust software deployed into high‑availability production environments, with a strong emphasis on software quality, reliability, and maintainability. Proven experience working within Agile/Scrum delivery teams, contributing to iterative, collaborative software development.
Essential Technical Skills: Software development in a Unix/Linux environment, using any modern language (with Python preferred). Hands‑on experience with container runtimes and containerising applications. Experience designing, building, or maintaining CI/CD pipelines to support automated build, test, and deployment processes. Writing formal requirements with strong experience in programming test frameworks.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role in the Time and Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.
Senior Software Test Engineer in London employer: National Physical Laboratory
Join our world-leading Time & Frequency department, where your expertise as a Senior Software Test Engineer will contribute to pioneering advancements in UK digital infrastructure. We offer a collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation and employee growth, supported by significant government investment, ensuring you play a vital role in developing resilient time distribution capabilities that underpin essential services across society. With a focus on quality assurance and robust software practices, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that fosters professional development.
Contact Details:
National Physical Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Test Engineer in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Test Engineer in London
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 National Physical Laboratory.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at National Physical Laboratory 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 National Physical Laboratory
✨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 National Physical Laboratory 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.
