Senior Test Automation Engineer

Job summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a unique organisation that works to save and improve lives every day.

Join NHSBT and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare technology. As a Senior Test Automation Engineer, you will help deliver and enhance critical clinical systems that support lifesaving services across the UK. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced testing professional to lead the development of automation capabilities, drive quality improvements, and ensure that digital solutions are robust, reliable, and fit for purpose in a highly regulated environment.

Working within the Clinical Services Product Centre, you will collaborate with technical specialists, delivery teams, and stakeholders to champion best practice in software testing and continuous improvement. This role offers the chance to combine strategic influence, technical expertise, and people leadership, helping to build a modern testing culture while mentoring others and delivering meaningful change. If you are passionate about automation, quality engineering, and making a tangible difference through innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The Senior Test Automation Engineer will lead the development and delivery of automated and manual testing for Clinical Services IT systems, supporting NHSBT's technology modernisation programme and the transition to an automated testing approach. Key responsibilities include:

Leading the implementation and continuous improvement of the test automation framework. Ensuring testing activities comply with recognised standards and best practice, including GMP, GAMP and GDP.Promoting effective testing practices and challenging non-compliance where identified.
Representing the Clinical Services Product Centre at workshops and stakeholder meetings, promoting the value of robust testing.
Developing and maintaining test scripts, test cases, test logs and test reports.
Executing automated testing, producing test coverage reports and managing defects through to resolution.
Preparing and managing test data to support effective testing and business processes.
Building and maintaining knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), industry standards and emerging best practice to drive continuous improvement.
The postholder will work closely with developers, users and stakeholders to ensure high-quality system delivery and support NHSBT's commitment to safe, reliable and efficient Clinical Services systems.

Please note that the role may require occasional irregular working hours, travel, overnight stays and time away from base, with appropriate notice given.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Job description

Job responsibilities

What we offer:

Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.

Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.

Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.

Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions‎

Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.

You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:

To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.

Next steps

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 29th July 2026, however this vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of application.

The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview. Interviews are anticipated to be held on 12th & 13th August 2026 – subject to confirmation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree level qualification in a related subject or equivalent experience.
Postgraduate diploma in relevant subject e.g. software testing or can evidence equivalent knowledge/experience to post-graduate level
Good knowledge of software testing standards e.g. BS7925-1 & BS7925-2

Experience

Essential

Significant direct experience in the role of system test automation engineer or equivalent.
Significant direct experience in the role of system test engineer or equivalent.
Expert knowledge in black box and white box testing.
Good knowledge of test management, estimation, monitoring, and control.
Knowledge of software automation/tools and performance testing/tools.
Significant experience of using Microsoft Office.
Knowledge of software testing in an Agile/Lean software development environment.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

England

Bristol Filton Blood Centre, 500 North Bristol Par