At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software testing and quality assurance for innovative time distribution technology.
- Company: Join a world-leading authority in precision timing with government-backed projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Opportunity to obtain SC security clearance and work in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in critical services that underpin modern society's infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Experience in Unix/Linux software testing and Agile/Scrum 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 Teddington employer: National Physical Laboratory
Join a pioneering team at the forefront of UK digital infrastructure, where your expertise as a Senior Software Test Engineer will contribute to developing world-first resilient time distribution capabilities. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and professional growth, supported by significant government investment, ensuring that you play a vital role in securing essential services for modern society. With a commitment to best practices in software quality and a focus on employee development, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment.
Contact Details:
National Physical Laboratory Recruitment Team
