Senior Data Test Engineer (Testing and Automation)
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before: 11:50 pm on Sunday 14th December 2025
Details
- Reference number: 438436
- Salary: £57,946 – £78,205 (includes Civil Service Pension with 28.97% employer contribution)
- Job grade: Grade 7
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: DWP – Digital
- Role type: Digital, Engineering, Information Technology
- Working pattern: Flexible, Full-time, Part-time, Job share
- Number of roles: 1
Location
This role is available in:
- Birmingham
- Blackpool
- Leeds
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Sheffield
Note: Newcastle site moves from Benton Park View (2025) to 1 Pilgrim Place (2027).
More details: Corporate hub locations
About the Job
Job Summary:
This role requires Security Check (SC) Clearance. You will join Data Enablement, part of DWP’s digital modernization programme, supporting migration from SAS 9.4 to SAS Viya.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you will:
- Lead testing strategy and activities
- Guide test engineering teams
- Ensure high-quality delivery across all testing processes
Travel: Regular travel between digital hubs may be required.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Lead testing activities ensuring quality, time, and cost objectives
- Act as escalation point for defects or technical issues
- Define test approaches and infrastructure setup
- Select and manage technical test tools
- Monitor test suite performance and reduce technical debt
- Promote standardisation and reusable solutions
- Coordinate dependencies and team alignment
- Develop test reporting for senior stakeholders
- Ensure usability, accessibility, security, and stability in services
Methodology:
- Work collaboratively across SDLC teams
- Apply Agile and Waterfall principles
- Lead CI/CD adoption
Development & Learning:
- Lead test practice reviews and improvements
- Facilitate community discussions on tools and trends
- Support team learning and mentoring
- Participate in recruitment and performance assessment
Person Specification
- Contact for role: Caicy Sandford – Caicy.sandford1@dwp.gov.uk
Behaviours Assessed
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical Skills Assessed
- Testing
Benefits
- Salary £57,946, plus £16,786 employer pension contribution
- Flexible working patterns
- 25–30 days annual leave + 9 public/privilege days
- Travel loans, cycle-to-work scheme, employee discounts
- Health and wellbeing support
- Family-friendly leave policies
- Funded learning and development opportunities
- Inclusive staff networks
Hybrid Working: Minimum 60% office attendance unless agreed otherwise.
Digital Allowance: Up to £10,000 for exceptional candidates.
Things You Need to Know
Selection Process:
- Stage 1: Online application with personal details, employment history, personal statement (1000 words), technical statement (250 words)
- Stage 2: Video interview assessing behaviours, experience, and technical skills
- Security Check (SC) clearance required
Essential Criteria:
- Expert in analysing complex requirements
- Hands-on experience in non-functional testing
- Agile/Lean delivery experience
Applications are sifted continuously. Apply early.
Application Process
- Submit your application via Civil Service Jobs
- Complete personal details and full employment history
- Upload personal and technical statements
- Application sift (technical → full sift)
- Video interview
- Security Check clearance
- Final offer and onboarding
Contact & Further Information
- Job contact: Caicy Sandford – Caicy.sandford1@dwp.gov.uk
- Recruitment team: DigitalRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
