At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure high-quality software by testing and reporting bugs in a collaborative team.
- Company: Join AQA, the UK's largest academic qualifications provider, dedicated to advancing education.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, 25-30 days leave, and excellent pension contributions.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on assessments that shape education worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in manual testing and strong collaboration skills required.
At AQA, we’ve committed to advancing education and to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Manual Software Tester
Permanent. Salary: North £41,100–£45,900; South £42,700–£47,800. Hybrid, with requirement to travel to the Bristol office one day every three weeks.
Introduction
At AQA GradeMaker, our mission is to revolutionise how assessments are created, managed and delivered. As a Manual Software Tester, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring the quality of reliable and scalable solutions that drive our cutting‑edge platform. GradeMaker is an assessment authoring and item banking solution, trusted by exam providers around the world to create high‑stakes examination papers and other assessments.
Purpose
Collaborating with a close‑knit team of professionals, you’ll be involved in all phases of the development lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Review user stories and acceptance criteria, giving early feedback to improve clarity, identify risks and help prevent issues before development begins.
- Carry out manual functional, exploratory, edge‑case, and regression testing to support stable, high‑quality delivery.
- Investigate and report bugs clearly, including symptoms, context, reproduction steps and supporting evidence so issues can be resolved efficiently.
- Identify usability issues, inconsistencies and potential improvements, and communicate them effectively to stakeholders.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in manual testing within an agile environment, including testing complex user stories and bug fixes using functional and exploratory testing approaches.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a cross‑functional team, engaging proactively with other testers, developers and business analysts.
- Strong investigation and reporting skills, with a methodical and pragmatic approach to understanding issues and supporting efficient resolution.
Benefits
- Part of a cross‑functional pod with manual testers, automation testers, developers and business analysts.
- Work across the full development lifecycle, contributing early insight and hands‑on testing.
- 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days.
- Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution).
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Manual Software Tester in Bristol employer: Role, Inc.
Lotus Cars is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hethel, where innovation meets tradition. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide access to a comprehensive benefits package including a company car scheme, private healthcare, and a future-proof pension, all while fostering a culture of respect, ambition, and collaboration. Join us to be part of a pioneering team that not only crafts world-class sports cars but also champions diversity and inclusion as core values.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manual Software Tester in Bristol
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Role, Inc. or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Role, Inc..
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Role, Inc..
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Role, Inc. that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Manual Software Tester in Bristol
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 Role, Inc..
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Role, Inc. 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 Role, Inc.
✨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 Role, Inc. 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.
