Senior IT Test Lead

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?

For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.

It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?

Information Services and Security have a vital role to play in a crucial national mission.  We’re here to enable the organisation to deliver through the use of technology.  As AWE transforms itself to meet the needs of the UK’s next-generation nuclear deterrent, we need to adapt to deliver data-driven decision making, flexible and future-proofed IT services, adaptable cyber security, support to a multi-billion Pound building programme, and many more. 

The scale might be daunting to some, but you’ll find it stimulating.  We’ve got a long journey that we’ve only just started and we’re looking for motivated people who can take us in the right direction.  Your role will contribute directly to that shared mission.  We won’t deceive you, in some areas we’re starting from a low base, but within ten years this organisation will look very different, and you can help make that happen.  This is a role where you’ll contribute to a legacy of national security for decades to come.  So come and join us.

Our Enterprise Apps team are currently seeking a Senior IT Test Lead who is responsible for managing and delivering phases of testing for assigned IT projects. Undertaking test design, planning and execution as appropriate. Ensuring the delivered services are formally tested and signed off prior to implementation. Leading a team of testers when required.

Location – Reading area

Package - £48,250 - £65,000 subject to skills and experience

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing – more information available on our careers site

The Role:

• Contribute to, and maintain, the IS Testing strategy and processes.
• Ensuring that testing is carried out to agreed corporate standards utilizing resources from third-party integrators and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from user departments as appropriate.
• Responsible for the delivery of one or more concurrent test activities within the IT schedule of work or designated Solution Centre. Typically the engineer will be required to work alone, seeking guidance and assistance as necessary, but for larger elements of work may lead and work as part of a team.
• Delivery timescales and quality goals will be agreed, to which the test analyst is expected to deliver at all times, taking action as appropriate to ensure that delivery or quality is not compromised.
• Produce required documentation to support all phases of the system development process.
• Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and be a great team player.

• Advise projects on approach to testing and create appropriate strategy and plan documents.
• Write the detailed test plan, scripts and report.
• Perform all activities for the test lifecycle of the entire project.
• Maintain the integrity of the test environment during test execution.
• Arrange and support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities appropriately for the project deliveries.
• Provide estimates with reasonable accuracy of the effort required to complete tasks assigned to them, and reporting on the status of those tasks.
• Contribute to overall corporate test process improvement by participating in setting objectives to improve service, process, methods and efficiency.

The Candidate:

• ISTQB/ISEB Testing Foundation Certification.
• Working knowledge of Computing and IS/IT trends and technologies.
• Familiar with writing test plans, scripts, completion reports, incident reports, and progress reports which must be written using clear and unambiguous language, using business centric or technical language as appropriate
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing with managers, customers and colleagues.
• Ability to effectively prioritise, understanding impact and risks.
• Reacts to planning changes in a prompt and efficient manner.
• Experience of working with third parties e.g. Developers, Customer Departments, Users
• Experienced in using tools for managing test execution and incidents (such as MS Azure DevOps)
• Is able to demonstrate an understanding of the technical knowledge required and is able to apply appropriately.
• Has experience of making informed technical judgements and decisions relevant to this role
• Experience in planning, estimating and controlling testing projects.

All Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.