Lead Test Automation Engineer

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced Lead Test Automation Engineer to act as the authority on testing within our Defence Delivery function within the Technology division of UKHO. This is a great opportunity to influence and guide testing across the whole defence area.

For approximately the first 12 months, this role will provide ‘hands on’ testing expertise within a dedicated scrum team, while also contributing to wider Defence testing needs such as strategy, standards, and approach.

Beyond this initial period, you will remain embedded in the scrum team but will take on expanded remit, becoming a key figure in shaping and governing testing practices across defence. This includes implementing consistent This includes advising on best practice, and actively contributing to the UKHO Lead Testing Group to help strengthen testing capability.

Hybrid Working

This job role is based in our modern and purpose built offices based a stone’s throw from the M5 in Taunton, Somerset. There will be some opportunity for hybrid working - a maximum of 1 day a week based remotely, 4 days in the office.

Additional Information:

Part-time hours will be considered (minimum of 29.6 hours per week)

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high‑quality manual and automated testing capability within a scrum team.
• Own and drive the testing strategy for the team, ensuring it aligns with departmental standards.
• Provide testing consultancy and expert guidance across the wider Defence teams.
• Work collaboratively with other Test Leads to help build and mature UKHO‑wide testing capability.
• Implement, promote, and embed best‑practice testing standards across the Defence area.

Person specification

• A broad range of commercial experience using .Net including building and maintaining automated test frameworks.
• Has a comprehensive understanding of modern testing techniques and how these should be applied.
• A comprehensive understanding and practical experience of Test Automation, Functional testing, non-functional testing.
• Experience in leading testing for a team and/or organisation

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,605, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £17,846 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to Apply:

When you click 'Apply now' you will be asked to attach your anonymised CV and input a 500 word supporting statement on the criteria below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 28/05/2026
• Shortlisting: w/c 08/06/2026
• Interviews: w/c 22/06/2026

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Pre-sift criteria:

Are you eligible for a Reserved Post and the level of security clearance required for this post? Yes/No. (Please refer to the link below).

Please note that applications where it is identified that the candidate is not eligible for a Reserved post or security clearance, we reserve the right for the application to be withdrawn.

This information will be taken from your CV and Personal Statement where it should be clearly annotated.

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria using the information provided in your supporting statement and your CV.

Experience:

• A broad range of commercial experience using .Net, including building and maintaining automated test frameworks (lead criteria - used when there is a high number of applications received)
• Has a comprehensive understanding of modern testing techniques and how these should be applied.
• A comprehensive understanding and practical experience of Test Automation, Functional Testing (Including Non-Functional Testing)

The above criteria will be assessed from your CV and Personal Statement.

Interview Criteria:

You will be interviewed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• A broad range of commercial experience using .Net, including building and maintaining automated test frameworks (Lead criteria used if there is a tie at interview). This criteria will be assessed by a test.
• A comprehensive understanding and practical experience of Test Automation, Functional Testing (Including Non-Functional Testing)

Civil Services Behaviours (Grade 7 Level)

• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Process:

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last 1 hour 30 minutes. As part of the interview, there will be a test as noted above. Further details will be given in the invitation to interview.

Onboarding Checks

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Security Clearance (SC) will need to be obtained prior to the role commencing. You will also need to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) which can be completed while working for us but the offer will remain conditional until DV is gained. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Nationality requirements:

DV – reserved

This is a Ministry of Defence reserved post and open to sole UK nationals only. Successful applicants will require Developed Vetting (DV) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 24 consecutive months within the last 10 years.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
• Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

Further information

Further Information

The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or view more details at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

Attachments

UKHO Candidate Information Pack - Tech Opens in new window (pdf, 5887kB)Additional Pay Information Opens in new window (pdf, 163kB)