Senior Test Engineer

The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.

Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.

Job overview

Quality Assurance and Testing is an important part of the delivery of digital systems within the HRA. We have a team of skilled test professionals who make sure quality is delivered in the most effective way. We are looking to add automation engineering skills to our existing team as we value automating as much of the test effort as possible allowing our team of specialists to undertake better evaluations of the overall product set.

As a Senior Test Engineer, you will create and drive the automated test engineering approach within the RSP working closely with the Head of Test and others in the Agile development team. You will determine and implement automation approaches using Playwright(typescript) to assure, measure and build quality into every phase of the software life cycle. This involves developing or enhancing automation frameworks that help deliver scalable tests which are faster, frequent, and continuous. Job also involves performing manual testing where automation is not suitable.

The interview will contain a mandatory technical test for playwright/NFT coding skills where you will be expected to write and share code in the interview. You should demonstrate your knowledge of this on your CV.

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Applicants should submit an anonymised CV for this role, removing any personal and identifiable information before uploading (name, email etc.).

We kindly ask that only those who have not previously applied to this post in the last 6 months submit their application.

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• Identify new and implement existing test automation frameworks
• Work on both functional and non-functional areas of complex system(s) built with multiple technologies (Microsoft, PEGA etc)
• Identify and raise awareness of defects, issues, risks arising from the automation test results
• Be proficient in a range of coding languages (C#, .Net, Java, JavaScript, Node, React, typescript etc)
• Work closely with members of Agile team
• Collaborate with senior test analysts, business to make sure the required business scenarios are covered in the test scripts
• Carry out system, integration and user acceptance testing using manual and automated techniques
• Lead on change impact assessment of all changes ensuring that test coverage mitigates any impact to external stakeholders
• Work with the HRA’s User Acceptance Team representatives and external users to perform acceptance testing of HRA software system changes
• Manage own work within the timelines agreed

Duties above are not an exhaustive list. The applicant will be expected to perform their duties as per ISTQB best practices (automation & manual)

Working for our organisation

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.

Working at the HRA, our approach to flexible working is designed to support us all, recognising that for many people, home based or hybrid working provides us with the most productive environment to work well. We will try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible.

The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle based staff can be office based. For staff based in Manchester or Nottingham, hybrid working arrangements may be possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.

When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.

We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications. Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality. Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate. False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.

Important information

We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.

Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.

We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.

Our fixed term positions are also open to applicants who wish to apply for the role on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their Line Manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.

Organisational structure and directorate overview

The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.

This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRA’s portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The directorate owns, develops, and delivers the HRA’s digital strategy in line with government digital and functional standards.

The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work-life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made upon request, for candidates with a disability. The HRA welcomes applicants who are interested in flexible working including job share, part time work, secondments or home-based working. Please discuss any preferred flexibility at your interview.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

The HRA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.

In order to be considered for this position you must address the criteria outlined in the person specification in your supporting statement. All contact is made via our Trac recruitment system. Please check your account regularly.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

If you have a query relating to your application, please contact the recruitment team on [email protected] or 0300 330 9416.

The NHSBSA is responsible for the processing of your application; a privacy notice is available at the following link to advise you on how we will process your personal data.

HRA Recruitment Privacy Notice