At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform automation frameworks and enhance testing efficiency for secure government platforms.
- Company: Join the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in a high-impact role.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Supportive environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in government tech while advancing your career in automation testing.
- Qualifications: Experience with automation tools and strong programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
On behalf of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), we are looking for a Senior Automation Tester (Inside IR35) for a 12 month contract based Hybrid in Glasgow. This is a high-impact role focused on transforming an existing automation estate, reducing regression execution times and improving overall test efficiency across a secure government platform.
Purpose of Job
This role sits within the Rosa Service Organisation (RSO), supporting the ongoing development of secure government platforms. The team currently operates with extensive regression packs and this position will play a critical role in transforming and scaling the existing automation capability - improving regression efficiency, enhancing test stability, and embedding automation into CI/CD pipelines.
You will take ownership of evolving (and where required, redefining) the automation framework, ultimately enabling a more efficient, reliable and self‑service testing capability across the team.
Main Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain automated test solutions across UI, API and integration layers.
- Review existing regression test packs and drive their optimisation and automation to significantly reduce execution time.
- Assess current automation frameworks and extend or refactor them to improve scalability, maintainability and overall test coverage.
- Improve test environment stability and alignment with production to increase confidence in releases.
- Build and enhance automation frameworks (e.g. Selenium, Playwright, Cypress), developing reusable components to support scalability.
- Conduct root cause analysis for defects and collaborate with developers to resolve issues.
- Validate application reliability, performance and compatibility across environments.
- Integrate and execute automated test suites within CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
- Monitor pipeline execution and address failures or flaky tests.
- Produce clear documentation and enable knowledge transfer to support a more self‑sufficient testing capability across the team, including key stakeholders where required.
Essential
- Proven experience improving or scaling automation frameworks in complex or legacy environments.
- Strong experience in regression testing and optimisation, ideally within large or complex test estates.
- Experience with automation tools such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or Appium.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages: Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, or Python.
- Experience with API testing tools (Postman, RestAssured, Karate).
- Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines and tools (Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions).
- Knowledge of Git and branching strategies.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with high attention to detail and a commitment to delivering quality outcomes.
SC or DV Clearance
SC or DV Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo DV clearance. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.
Desirable
- Experience with cloud environments (Azure/AWS/GCP) and containerised systems (Docker/Kubernetes).
- Familiarity with BDD/TDD practices and tools like Cucumber or SpecFlow.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
- ISTQB certification.
Location
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, FCDO guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.
Armed Forces Covenant
FCDO guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex‑military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Other
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: “this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.”
Senior Automation Tester in Glasgow employer: Public Sector Resourcing
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Located in Glasgow, this role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects that enhance secure government platforms while benefiting from flexible hybrid working arrangements. FCDO is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees, including those with disabilities and veterans, are supported and empowered to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Automation Tester in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at FCDO or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about the role or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your automation frameworks and CI/CD tools. Be ready to discuss how you've improved test efficiency in past roles. We want to see your passion for automation shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Think of examples where you’ve tackled complex testing challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to adapt and innovate, which is key for a Senior Automation Tester.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Automation Tester in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Automation Tester role. Highlight your experience with automation frameworks and regression testing, as well as any relevant tools like Selenium or Cypress. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Talk about how you improved test efficiency or reduced execution times in previous roles. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've made a difference.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, be clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your experience and skills.
Apply Through Our Website:Finally, make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Public Sector Resourcing
✨Know Your Automation Tools
Make sure you’re well-versed in the automation tools mentioned in the job description, like Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them to improve test efficiency in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in automation frameworks or regression testing. Highlight any root cause analysis you've conducted and how you collaborated with developers to resolve issues.
✨Understand CI/CD Pipelines
Brush up on your knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, especially with tools like Azure DevOps and Jenkins. Be prepared to explain how you’ve integrated automated tests into these pipelines and how it improved the overall testing process.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing technical concepts. Remember, you’ll need to produce documentation and enable knowledge transfer, so showcasing your ability to communicate effectively is crucial.
