At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Job title: Lead Test Engineer
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 31 December 2027
Location: Guildford and Manchester
Salary: Guildford - £59,800 to £67,400 and Manchester - £57,400 to £64,700
Working arrangements: Hybrid working, 2 days a week in office
Do you enjoy shaping quality from the ground up, leading Automation testing approaches that improve both products and team performance?
This is a great opportunity to play a key role in delivering reliable, high quality software that supports assessment and learning. This is a chance to use your Automation testing expertise to shape outcomes that directly impact learners while working in a collaborative and forward thinking environment.
You will help ensure that systems are secure, reliable and fit for purpose. Your work will support AQA’s mission by enabling fair and consistent assessment for learners of all abilities. You will influence quality across delivery, helping teams make informed and confident decisions while promoting strong testing practices.
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
- Delivering thoroughly tested software that supports reliable assessment design and delivery and meets customer needs
- Supporting agile delivery by shaping Automation testing approaches, providing estimates and advising on quality and risk
- Driving strong Automation testing best practices and continuous improvement, while contributing to high quality team outcomes
You will thrive in this role if you are collaborative, proactive and focused on delivering quality outcomes. You’ll bring:
- Experience of automated testing within an Agile environment
- The ability to design and implement automated testing frameworks using tools such as Selenium, SpecFlow or similar and languages such as Gherkin and C#
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to both technical and non technical colleagues
- Experience of API testing and a solid understanding of testing techniques and approaches
- An awareness of AI tools and technologies and how they can be used to improve test preparation and efficiency, and the ability to promote their use within the team
- A pragmatic, analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and a focus on continuous improvement
You will have the opportunity to develop your skills while working on systems that make a meaningful difference to learners. You’ll benefit from:
- The chance to work on products that support education and impact learners across the UK
- Opportunities to grow your expertise in automation and modern testing practices
- Flexible working arrangements that support work life balance
- A collaborative, supportive and inclusive team culture
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Application process
- To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role by 23.59 on Sunday 14 June.
- First stage interviews will take place remotely on the week of 22 June, second stage interviews will take place in our Manchester and Guildford offices on the week of 29 June.
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Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
Purpose:
• Reporting to the Head of Test and representing the Test Team, this role operates day to day within the“Agile” team as Lead Test Engineer. This role will personally undertake hands on manual and automated functional and non-functional testing. A key purpose of the role will also be to design tests based on requirements / acceptance criteria to produce manual and/or automated test scripts to provide the appropriate level of test coverage.
• To code, debug and maintain automated tests and frameworks. Raising defects when encountered and ensuring that initial process steps are undertaken in accordance with defect management processes.
• To represent the Test Team in the day-to-day activities, identifying areas of risk and applying appropriate testing techniques to mitigate them.
• To help complete AQA’s ongoing transition to a single, consistent set of cloud-based technologies (technology re-platform) and move to an agile delivery model in line with current software development best practices (Scrum/Kanban; continuous delivery) – and to continually improve and enhance that technology for new and changing business needs, once that transition is complete.Landscape:
To model professional behaviours with confidence, especially the specific AQA and Assessment Technology behavioural cornerstones.
To comply with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
Where business needs change, to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level outside the terms of this role profile.
Activities:
Customer (external or internal)
Being trusted and reliable in assessment design and delivery
Build excellent working relationships with our customers internal and external
Demonstrates commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change.
Deliver high quality software to our customers that has been thoroughly tested.
Product and internal processes
Delivering quality products and outcomes – as recognised by the customer
Facilitate product backlog management and iteration planning by providing estimates and advising on Testing approaches and options in the context of delivery cost and risk.
Deliver high quality software that has been thoroughly tested to our customers
Ensures AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
Actively participate in review of acceptance criteria/requirements (static testing) to identify errors, omissions and areas of ambiguity.
Provide data to colleagues to enable derivation of testing progress reports and quality metrics.
Facilitate and participate in all Agile ceremonies: Sprint planning, demos, 3 amigos, retrospectives etc.
Based upon solid foundations in manual testing, derive appropriate test coverage and test techniques.
Undertake Test Execution (dynamic testing) tasks, preparing test environments, executing test scripts, comparing actual with expected results and documenting and reporting outcomes.
People and culture
Ensuring we have great people achieving their potential
Collaborate with the agile team to produce high quality output.
Be an advocate for testing (especially automation / technical testing) best practices, leading by example.
Mentor and coach team members in automated testing, embedding automated testing methods in Software Solution activities.
Assist with the continual improvement of ways of working in both Testing and wider departmental processes. To identify opportunities for testing process improvement and act as advocate for their consideration for implementation
Technology
Delivering demonstrably secure, reliable, agile and cost-effective systems
Deliver Test Automation Framework(s) to support the use of Automation in line with the AQA Automation Strategy.
Provide API testing to support (agile) team delivery.
Keep abreast of state-of-the-art testing practices by reading and attending external events, share learnings within the Software Solutions group to ensure practices remain appropriate and up to date.
Key internal relationships:
Test colleagues
Agile team colleagues
departmental managers
Business Users
Product Owners
Key external relationships:
Suppliers
3rd Party Development Partner
Key performance indicators
Delivering demonstrably secure, reliable, agile and cost-effective systems
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of AI and champion it's utilisation with the wider team to make Test Prep more efficient
Deliver Test Automation Framework(s) to support the use of Automation in line with the AQA Automation Strategy
Implementation of Test Automation frameworks
Coaching and mentoring of colleagues on automation practices
Successful delivery of (agile) delivery team output that has been thoroughly tested to a very high standard
To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:
Knowledge
A broad understanding of testing and its role, relevance and application in either a commercial or an educational environment
In-depth understanding of the testing life-cycle in context of the SDLC (Agile and at least one other)
Detailed knowledge and understanding of testing (including automation) techniques and management tools and their application in Agile and at least one other methodology
Detailed knowledge of Agile best testing practice techniques and SCRUM
Qualification
Degree level qualification in Software Engineering or equivalent discipline, or equivalent professional experience
Skills
Proven ability to develop solutions in a .Net/C# environment
Proven ability to coach and mentor colleagues in automated testing techniques
Proven oral and written communication skills and ability to explain issues to technical and non-technical staff
Proven ability to devise and implement automated testing; egTDD/BDD, Cucumber, Specflow, Selenium, CodedUI
Ability to undertake both functional and non-functional testing
Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills in a variety of situations
Excellent analytical skills
Proactive and motivating who facilitates quality and collaboration amongst the team.
A questioning and investigative mind
A pragmatic approach with requisite attention to detail
Ability and willingness to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to apply a risk-based testing approach and awareness of commonplace system malfunctions and defects
Ability to quickly glean knowledge of systems and components under test
Ability to adapt to new approaches, technologies, tools and procedures
Ability to positively influence colleagues with regard to Testing matters
Demonstrates resilience and calmness under pressure to meet tight deadlines in complex contexts
Receive feedback and learn from mistakes for continuous self-development
Demonstrates proactive collaborative working across functional areas to deliver shared goals
Experience
Demonstrable experience of successfully undertaking Lead Test Engineer tasks in line with the Key Accountabilities
Demonstrable experience of operating in Agile environments
Experience in using one or more testing tools in a day-to-day hands-on automated testing role
Experience in API testing
Demonstrable experience and knowledge of recognised testing techniques (eg black box, white box, risk-based, scenario-based)
Experience of different Test Activities (eg System, Integration, User Acceptance) including both functional and non-functional testing
