Lead Test Engineer


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£76,339 to £91,672 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	NE98 1YX
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	2 Nov 2026
Closing date:	15 Nov 2026

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Summary

Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see 'Selection process details'.

We are looking for an experienced Lead Test Engineer who is confident working on data-focused products/services in a complex digital environment, where they’ll be supporting major initiatives across Data and Analytics and wider supporting DWP to deliver it’s 2030 Data Strategy.

This position will involve collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across the Data and Analytics directorate and wider DWP Digital to support the delivery of solutions, creating options and recommendations and provide expert advice, oversight and assurance to drive testing decisions.

This is an exciting time to join us. You’ll shape the future and support our mission to deliver exceptional Data products and services that work for everyone.

This role ensures a high standard of test engineering across all Data and Analytics solutions, both current and future, leading testing strategy, best practices and test automation.

As Lead Test Engineer you will provide overall leadership and support to the test engineers working in agile multidisciplinary teams across the directorate to deliver our current and future Data and Analytics solutions.
Lead the design and delivery of data solutions across data movement, storage, curation and insight, ensuring they support wider service needs and outcomes.
Support the delivery and continuous improvement of services across multiple cloud platforms and legacy on premises environments, working with a broad range of technologies including Java, Node.js, React.js, SAS, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, GitLab CI/CD, AWS, Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Kubernetes, Azure Service Bus and Power BI.
Provide expert test engineering leadership, using appropriate principles, tools and delivery methodologies to influence strategic decisions and shape the direction of our services in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Collaborate with and influence key stakeholders and technical decision makers (Product Managers, Architects, Delivery Managers, Engineering teams, etc.) to define strategic vision for products and services.
Identify risks and develop plans for mitigation and contingency.
Ensure that usability, accessibility, security, stability, performance, and functional testing are embedded in the development of our services, in a consistent and standardised way.
Collaborate with other teams in the Software Development Lifecycle to define strategic goals.
Lead and adapt Agile and Waterfall delivery approaches, using appropriate methodologies and tools to drive successful delivery and achieve service outcomes.
Promote engagement with continuous integration, delivery and deployment practices following standards and tooling methodologies.
Promote technical evolution by identifying, testing and adopting emerging technologies.
Promote the latest trends, tools, and best practices within Test Engineering.
Identify skills gaps within the team and support recruiting talent into the organisation.
Develop the Test Engineering capability by helping and supporting others to shape career paths.
Contribute to recruitment activities in the practice, working with other Leads and the Head of Role to advise on recruitment strategy and lead at various stages of the assessment process.

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