Test Engineer (Performance Testing) - One Login

Government Digital Service (GDS) is part of the Cabinet Office. We’re here to make digital government simpler, clearer and faster for everyone. Our work is user-focused, dynamic and forward-looking, making our organisation an exciting and innovative place to work. We represent a once in a generation opportunity to simplify and widen access to all digital government services. Driving forward the Government's key aim to transform digital services and the Public’s experience of interacting, we are building one simple, safe and secure way for users to log in and prove who they are, that will work across all government services. GOV.UK One Login is being designed and built for the many, not the few. It will unite services across government, revolutionising the way government departments digitally interact with users. One Login will deliver an accessible and essential function that will change lives and help millions. Described as the most strategic programme in government, this role in One Login represents a once in a career opportunity to contribute to and shape a software product that will be used by the majority of the people living in the UK. It’s a fast-paced, fascinating and challenging environment that is sure to offer you career satisfaction as well as a chance to develop and enhance your skills. Our technology stack runs on AWS, using serverless compute and storage products. Backend services are written in TypeScript/Node.js and JVM technologies. Web applications also use TypeScript. We are an ambitious and visionary team so if you want to be at heart of this, have a background in software delivery with a specific focus on quality engineering, and are used to working in a scaled agile environment then this could be the place for you!, We are seeking highly skilled SEO Test Engineers to join our dynamic product teams. In this role, you will be responsible for leading performance testing efforts at program level, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of non-functional quality. You will collaborate closely with developers, product managers, architects and other stakeholders to design and execute comprehensive performance test plans that cover all aspects of the product life cycle. Additionally, you will work with Senior test Engineers and cross-product Test Delivery Leads to support the seamless integration and delivery of testing across the program, while identifying opportunities for process improvement and innovation. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a multidisciplinary team and play a key role in driving testing excellence. As a Test Engineer responsible for performance testing, you’ll:

• collaborate with stakeholders including product managers, developers, and architects to define performance requirements, ensuring systems are designed for scalability, reliability, and efficiency under load
• develop and execute comprehensive performance test plans, ensuring all performance criteria such as load, stress, endurance, and scalability are addressed for features and systems
• leverage and develop performance testing frameworks, scripts and tools to automate the testing process, ensuring continuous assessment of system performance and stability
• maintain performance test scripts, analyse results from tests, and identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and performance risks early in the development cycle
• collaborate closely with development and infrastructure teams to optimise system performance, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure systems meet the required performance standards
• effectively communicate performance test results, findings, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring clarity on areas of concern, risks, and opportunities for improvement, a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 60 minute video interview - both Civil Service Behaviours based and technical questions
Whilst we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write cover letters without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences. Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise. In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: Possess experience in leading performance testing throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), from gathering performance requirements to delivering production-ready solutions. This includes performance test strategy development, test analysis, test generation, reporting, and defect management. Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role. For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:Â
• working together
• managing a quality service
• delivering at pace
We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework for the Test Engineer (SEO) role:Â
• Test Analysis
• Functional Testing
• Non Functional Testing
• Technical Breadth
Recruitment Timeline Sift completion: 18th October 2024 Panel interviews: W/C 28th October 2024 Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade. A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made. The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. Other information: Occasionally, business pressures, priorities or critical delivery may mean that we move you into a different team or work area within GDS. This will always be within the same grade and discipline within which you were hired, but does mean that your focus or objectives may shift in order to deliver GDS business. You may be aware that there are plans for the Government Digital Service (GDS) & the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) to move into the Department of Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT). This move is to bring together the digital transformation of public services into one core department. The move itself will offer huge opportunities whilst allowing DSIT to lead the way and drive forward the new Government's digital agenda. As the announcement is relatively new, we are awaiting more detailed information. Therefore, we encourage you to apply for this role, and will keep you informed with updated information throughout the application process. 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 security check (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 This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  possess experience in leading performance testing throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), from gathering performance requirements to delivering production-ready solutions. This includes performance test strategy development, test analysis, test generation, reporting, and defect management
• are experienced in performance test monitoring and analysis tools to diagnose issues and optimise system performance
• are proficient in other non-functional testing types, including accessibility, and compatibility testing, using a variety of tools and methodologies to ensure software resilience, scalability, and compliance with standards
• demonstrate adaptability and teamwork, excelling in Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) environments by utilising industry-standard tools and practices. Actively promote shift-left testing, ensuring early detection of issues in the development lifecycle
• advocate for a quality-focused culture, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), to foster continuous improvement in testing practices across the program
• embrace a proactive approach to continuous learning, with a focus on staying updated with the latest advancements in testing tools, frameworks, and methodologies. Committed to ongoing improvement and adapting best practices to evolving product needs
  
  The benefits of working at GDS
There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:
• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning
GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs. Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk