Test Automation Engineer

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Test Automation Engineer to join our expanding agile development team.

We work in wide range of technologies including .Net, JavaScript and Python, deploying our solutions using Azure DevOps to internal infrastructure.

Everything we do is team based. We take Agile seriously; your delivery team will be small but will have the people it needs to get things done - developers, testers, product owner and a delivery manager - as well as access to infrastructure specialists, UX experts and business analyst.

Quality is paramount. You and your team will be supported to do excellent work. Everyone reviews code and everyone welcomes feedback.

We offer a great work / life balance. Peoples’ start and end times are built around their own preferences and around a 10am – 2pm team time, where the team is focussed solely on building (no meetings!). The role is office-based for a minimum 4 days a week due to the nature of the work, with the option of 1 day a week working from home.

We are committed to providing part-time options and reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs.

We’re proud that we’ve created this group by recruiting junior people who share a commitment to professional development and watched them grow with us.

Hybrid working

This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK.

For this role, due to the nature of the work, office attendance is expected for 4 days a week.

Job description

As a Test Automation Engineer, you will :

• Work as part of or with multi-disciplinary Agile team(s).
• Design and execute test approaches for small to medium projects using automated and/or manual tests.
• Create and maintain a combination of environmental setup work and/or automation code and/or manual test scripts to ensure user requirements are met
• Champion quality in your team by mentoring in testing - promote and inspire others to test better.

Person specification

• Knowledge of modern software testing principles and patterns
• Experience of working in an agile software delivery team
• Software development skills and knowledge of C#
• Experience in designing and executing manual and/or automated test approaches
• Champion good practice in quality assurance processes and contribute to improving it in conjunction with others.
• Ability to work with a range of stakeholders across different teams and functions to achieve team goals
• Knowledge of modern development approaches such as Scrum or Kanban

Behaviours

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

• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Knowledge of modern software testing principles and patterns
• Software development skills and knowledge of C#

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,952, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £9,256 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply:

When you click 'Apply now' you will be asked to anonymise and upload your CV and 500 word statement on the shortlist criteria listed below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 20th September 2026

• Shortlisting: week commencing: w/c 28th September 2026

• Interviews: week commencing: w/c 19th October 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? (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 will be withdrawn.

Lead criteria:

We have identified a lead criterion for this role, which we may use to differentiate between applications in the following scenarios:

• To conduct an initial-sift in a high volume of applicants (over 20 applications). This would be conducted after the above pre-sift on the mandatory criteria.
• To establish a merit-order in the event of a tie

The lead criteria for this role are identified below.

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• Experience of working in an agile software delivery team
• Knowledge of modern software testing principles and patterns (lead criteria)
• Software development skills and knowledge of C#

We will use both your CV and supporting statement to assess against the above criteria.

Interview Criteria:

You will be interviewed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• Experience in designing, building, testing and maintaining software using a modern standards approach, or experience supporting operationally live systems in either modern or legacy technologies.

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of modern software testing principles and patterns (lead criteria) - assessed by test.
• Software development skills and knowledge of C# - assessed by test.

Behaviours (EO level) :

• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together

See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - 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 4 people and we expect it to last approx.90 mins
• There will also be a test as part of the interview. More details will be given in the invitation to interview.
• The behaviour questions for the interview will be sent out via email, 24 hours before your interview slot.

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 basic (or equivalent) 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)