At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop automated test plans for cutting-edge network security features.
- Company: Join a leading cybersecurity firm dedicated to innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with a focus on continuous improvement and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with the latest technologies.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years in software quality engineering and strong automation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 € per year.
Role Summary
Design, develop, and maintain test plans, automated test suites, and system testbeds for Sophos Network Security product features. In this role, you will strengthen existing test coverage, partner closely with the feature team, and build automated test scripts that enable faster feedback, improved quality, and quicker product delivery. The ideal candidate brings strong hands‑on testing expertise, growing automation capability, and the ability to think beyond execution by identifying risks early, preventing defects, and continuously improving product quality.
What you will do
- Own end‑to‑end quality for assigned features, components, or services
- Design and execute functional, integration, system, and regression testing
- Perform exploratory testing to uncover edge cases and failure scenarios
- Identify, document, and track defects with clear reproduction steps and impact analysis
- Prioritise effectively, stay focused, and drive tasks through to completion
- Design, develop, and maintain automated test cases for APIs, backend systems, and/or UI
- Actively participate in CI/CD pipelines to support continuous testing
- Work closely with developers, product managers, and other QA engineers
- Participate in requirement and design reviews to ensure testability and risk coverage
- Collaborate with developers to debug issues and validate fixes
- Analyse test results and provide quality insights to support release decisions
- Contribute to improving test coverage, tools, and processes
What you will bring
- 4 to 5 years of experience in software quality engineering or test automation roles
- Strong hands‑on experience in test automation development
- Strong understanding of operating systems, network security concepts, and firewall technologies
- Working knowledge of networking technologies and protocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, DNS, proxy servers, and load balancers
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Experience working in Agile environments and supporting continuous integration practices, including nightly builds and release cycles
- Ability to design tests and write test code independently
- Understanding of multi‑platform issues across UNIX, Mac, and Windows environments
- Understanding of virtual platforms such as ESX, Xen, Proxmox, and cloud environments
- Understanding of open‑source test automation tools
- Understanding of REST, YANG modelling, and JSON
- Understanding of crun, microservices, containers, Kubernetes, and Kubernetes clusters
- Aware of tools and technologies such as Git, Jenkins, Selenium, JIRA, and Confluence
- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills
- A collaborative team player with a positive attitude and a proactive approach to finding innovative solutions
Software Development Engineer in Test (Network Security) in Oxford employer: Sophos Group
At Sophos, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Software Development Engineer in Test, you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in network security while benefiting from continuous professional development and a supportive environment that values your contributions. Our commitment to employee growth, coupled with our focus on quality and teamwork, makes Sophos a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Development Engineer in Test (Network Security) in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even online forums related to software testing and network security. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your test plans, automated scripts, and any projects you've worked on. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common testing scenarios and automation tools like Selenium or Jenkins. Practice explaining your thought process when identifying risks and defects—this is key for roles like the one at Sophos!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Development Engineer in Test (Network Security) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in software quality engineering and test automation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your hands-on testing expertise and any relevant projects you've worked on.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about network security and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. We love seeing candidates who can connect their experiences to the role.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your familiarity with tools like Git, Jenkins, and Selenium. If you’ve worked with cloud platforms or have experience in Agile environments, make sure to highlight that too. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sophos Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of network security concepts and test automation tools. Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, like HTTP, TCP/IP, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience in software quality engineering and test automation. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate how you've designed and executed tests, identified defects, and contributed to improving product quality. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this role involves working closely with developers and product managers, be ready to talk about your collaborative experiences. Highlight instances where you’ve effectively communicated issues or insights that led to better outcomes. Good communication skills are key, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team’s current challenges, the testing processes they use, or how they measure success in their projects. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
