Job summary
Quality Assurance and Testing is an important part of the delivery of digital systems within the Health Research Authority. 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 Research Systems Programme working closely with the Head of Test and other colleagues 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.
Main duties of the job
- 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)
About us
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, Nottingham or Bristol, 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.
Details
Date posted
13 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
15 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours
Reference number
980-HRA7798917
Job locations
Newcastle upon Tyne
Holland Drive
Newcastle
NE2 4NQ
Employer details
Employer name
Health Research Authority
Address
Newcastle upon Tyne
Holland Drive
Newcastle
NE2 4NQ
Employer's website
https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
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