Test Lead (Security clearance eligibility essential)

Due to strict security clearance requirements, we can only consider applicants that have lived in the UK for 5 consecutive years or more.

The Role will involve supporting the Test Assurance Manager in test planning and execution activities in our Control Room and Biometrics projects. Test scope will include new features; existing product functionality and the re-testing of defects found during FAT/SAT testing. The post holder should have a strong background in software product testing across various hosting platforms. They should have the ability to learn complex software systems, provide testing support to the wider team and undertake testing duties which will ensure the integrity of the production environments for our customers.

The successful candidate is expected to travel to various offsite customer locations throughout the year either to conduct testing or to support the customer during UAT.

Job Purpose: 

Depending on project demands, the Test Lead role can be two-fold; the candidate is expected to either own end-to-end test management, creation of test artefacts and support Test Analysts or create test cases and execute them ensuring quality is maintained to the highest standard. The nature of projects will consist of new and existing developed software, existing software upgrades and fixes across multiple applications.

This role encompasses working closely with the test team and as such the individual will be integral to ensuring quality at each step of the testing lifecycle such as assisting with the creation of test estimations, review of requirements, design specifications, analysis of test scenarios, creation and execution of test scripts.

They will be responsible for supporting the planning, design, execution and reporting of testing and defects, using where applicable appropriate testing tools and techniques and conforming to agreed standards to ensure that new and amended systems, configurations, packages, or services, together with any interfaces, perform as specified. They will provide feedback and testing impact assessments as required. They may also be required to provide knowledge transfer documentation (overviews etc.) to ensure all team members are fully aware of any new software or processes. 

Role:

• Own and deliver the project Test Strategies for end-to-end testing
• Maintain a detailed testing activities schedule
• Co-ordinate testing activities across multiple vendors, partners and 3rd parties
• Manage risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies for all testing related activities
• Create Test Plans, Test Completion Reports and Traceability Matrices for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Systems Integration Testing (SIT)
• Define test environments and test data requirements
• Support customers during UAT
• Oversee test execution, generate test progress & defect dashboards and keeping stakeholders informed
• Triage defects and drive resolution across different internal and external teams
• Translate requirements & design specifications into structed testing approaches and execution schedules
• Create and execute test cases

Experience & Behavioural Skills:

• Test Lead with knowledge of full testing lifecycle in Agile & Waterfall methodologies with at least 10 years of commercial experience, preferably in a customer-focused IT organisation
• Proven track record of managing multi-vendor testing projects

• Evidence of an understanding of functional and non-functional testing standards, across the Software Development & Testing Lifecycle

• Excellent attention to detail with a focus on quality and continuous improvement
• Good understanding of Defect Management Processes and triaging experience

• Excellent time management, planning and organisational skills

• Self-motivated, proactive, enthusiastic, and committed to testing

• Ability to build strong relationships with a diverse range of technical stakeholders

• Work effectively in collaboration cross-functionally to achieve shared goals and deliver business objectives
• Maintain professional conduct alongside strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Capability in data migration and reconciliation testing
• Experience in cross platform, browser and mobile testing
• Strong analytical skills and ability to manage high workloads, competing priorities and strict delivery timelines

Processes/Delivery 

• Actively involved in continuous improvement for all test processes, techniques, and tools

• Stay abreast of the latest techniques and suggest future technologies and systems to be implemented

• Champion industry best practice for testing and support the introduction of automated testing

• Responsible for knowledge transfer documentation (overviews etc) to ensure all team members are fully aware of any new software or processes when they become business as usual

• Ability to pick up new technologies 

• Should be able to assist with Non-functional tests as and when required                                 

Personal 

• Create milestones for personal improvement and create detailed plans to achieve

• Self-motivating with a passion for testing and software quality 

• Encourages transparency, communication and engagement with all team members and stakeholders 

• Higher / further / appropriate educational qualification(s) or demonstrable equivalent experience 

• Qualified to ISEB/ ISTQB Intermediate level 

• Automated Testing Tool qualifications (desirable) 

We pride ourselves in offering an excellent benefits package. When you join the team at NEC Software Solutions, you are provided with the following:

• 25 days paid holiday with the option to buy/sell (FTE)
• 4 x basic salary life assurance cover  (with the option to increase cover at an additional cost)
• A Group Pension Plan 
• A selection of flexible benefits to suit your individual needs 

OTHER INFORMATION

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate a pre-existing right to work and travel within the UK. Documentary evidence will be required.
• All offers are subject to satisfactory vetting, references and occupational health checks. 
• Depending on the nature of the role a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check may also be required.

NEC Software Solutions is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all communities. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have specific accessibility needs during the recruitment or interview process, please feel free to share these with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accommodating experience for all candidates.

Who We Are:

We’re NEC Software Solutions (part of global tech giant NEC Corporation). While you read this ad, our software is helping to dispatch ambulances, support families, keep trains on the move, locate missing people and even test the hearing of newborn babies.

Working with us, you’ll be helping our 3,000+ employees push the boundaries of what’s possible and support amazing public services.

We work with governments, hospitals, police forces, housing providers, local authorities and more. We help them pay financial support faster, speed up treatments for patients and respond to emergencies in the right way. The more we do, the more our customers can do for others. And together, we make a world of difference.

We’d love your help. And we’ll support you all the way.