Software Test Engineer

£95,000 DOE + Benefits | Manchester (with travel) | Must Hold Existing UK Security Clearance

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE ENHANCED DV CLEARANCE FOR THESE ROLES - NO MOD DV CLEARANCE ACCPETED!

I’m currently supporting a specialist organisation operating at the leading edge of Defence and Cyber Security as they continue to expand their engineering teams. We’re looking for Test Engineers who are passionate about quality, reliability, and building robust systems for mission‐critical environments.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working across complex platforms, collaborating closely with engineers, and shaping how testing is done—not just executing it.

About the Role

As a Test Engineer, you’ll be embedded within cross‐functional engineering teams, ensuring that software meets the highest standards of assurance. You’ll help define testing strategies, build automation frameworks, carry out exploratory testing, and contribute to a culture where quality is baked into every stage of delivery.

This organisation welcomes applicants from varied backgrounds. Strong testing fundamentals, curiosity, and pragmatic problem‐solving matter more than familiarity with every specific tool.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Designing and executing manual and automated tests across complex software systems
• Building, maintaining, and extending test automation frameworks
• Performing exploratory and risk‐based testing to uncover edge cases
• Working closely with engineers to improve testability and quality
• Contributing to continuous improvement across tools, frameworks, and practices

Skills & Experience (Any of the following)

You don’t need everything listed—just a solid foundation and a willingness to learn.

Technical Experience:

• Programming/scripting with Java, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript
• Testing web applications (e.g. Angular, React, Vue)
• Automated testing tools such as Robot Framework, Cypress, Cucumber
• Experience building or evolving test frameworks
• Exploratory and risk‐based testing approaches

Desirable Exposure:

• Docker, Kubernetes, AWS or Azure
• Modern stacks such as MERN, Elasticsearch, or Neo4J

Security & Location Requirements

• UK citizen with 10+ years UK residency
• Must already hold high‐level UK security clearance
• Comfortable travelling to customer sites in Cheltenham or Manchester

Benefits & Package

• Salary: £40,000–£85,000 (flexible for exceptional junior or senior candidates)
• 10% clearance bonus
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Option to buy/sell up to 5 days
• 8% employer pension contribution
• BUPA health cover
• Life cover at 4× salary
• EV salary‐sacrifice scheme
• EMI share scheme
• Flexible working + flexi-time
• 10 days annual training allowance
• Individual training & career development plans for every employee

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on meaningful, high‐impact systems within an environment that genuinely invests in professional growth.