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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £34,140 - £37,105, London salary range is £38,661 - £42,019. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
21-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8487

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HM Courts and Tribunals Service Directorate: Digital Technology Services (DTS) 

Pay Band:    HEO

Job Title:     Test Engineer

Location:  National

Successful applicants will be expected to be office based 3 days per week in any HMCTS Office (subject to business availability).

Term:        Permanent

Interview: Video conference via Teams Important salary details:

New recruits to the Civil Service joining MoJ are expected to join at the band minimum. Existing Civil Servants applying on promotion, will usually be appointed on the salary minimum of the new pay band, or receive an increase of 10 percent on the current base salary, whichever is higher (This is restricted to the pay maximum of the new band).

GDD:

Government Digital and Data (GDD) Profession Capability Framework and Success Profiles Frameworks. Using GDD we will then determine if you will be paid an additional allowance, on top of your basic salary. This role is within the Quality assurance testing (QAT) Job Family, is a Test engineer role at Tester (test engineer) level and carries the title Test Engineer within DTS.

Reserve List:

HMCTS run a Reserve List, where candidates who are unsuccessful at interview by only a few points, can be offered other roles, at the same band, for up to 12 months. You will be able to view your status via the application screen. If you have been added to the Reserve List, your status will show either Merit or Reserve list.

Introduction:

These are exciting times at HM Court and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). As an agency of the MoJ, we support the judiciary across England and Wales to deliver justice by running courts and tribunals and processing outcomes, and we are looking for talented people to help us achieve our ambitions. It will be challenging, important and rewarding.

HMCTS Digital and Technology Services (DTS) is a specialist technology directorate which provides support to HMCTS in the use of IT and Digital.

DTS is committed to being a great place to work and part of our offer is brilliant training opportunities and support from expert colleagues. As well as that you will find flexible working, an inclusive culture, and a place where your opinion is valued.

Please follow the link below for further information about HMCTS. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service

Job Description:

The Test Engineer reports to the Senior Test Manager and plays a key role in ensuring that products are of quality and fit for the business needs. Without the input of the Test Engineer, software can be released with poor quality and potential bugs that can impact HMCTS’s reputation, have significant cost implications on the business and HMCTS and most importantly people using the service/product. You will be working within Digital and Technology Services Digital Infrastructure Product Team, assigned to the Voice and Contact Centre Technology Team where you will be managing within their functional work area and alerting the Senior Test Manager of emerging issues and trends that have a wider impact across HMCTS. The role will demand the use of discretion, interpretation, and collaboration to identify and evaluate risks that emerge from testing and communicating them effectively to the Senior Test Manager so that these risks can be mitigated.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Complete test scripts in accordance to acceptance criteria and requirements to tight deadlines.
  • Supplier engagement of product software, manage full traceability of defects through JIRA, working with suppliers for fix and retesting. Report issues found through the appropriate channels, including problem management.
  • Promote test-driven development and shift-left testing, champion test practices, provide advice to other stakeholders on the distinct types of tests, testing tools and testing environments available.
  • Manage change requests from suppliers.
  • Analyse the test results to identify simple patterns and trends. Investigate problems and opportunities in existing functionality of the software, translate findings into impact on the users and the Business.
  • Constantly seek to learn and further develop your skills as required for your role. Share knowledge with others. Participate in recruitment and procurement activities as required.
  • Test from / in the most suitable environments, including using different devices and traveling on-site (in accordance with the organisation’s travel and accommodation policies).
  • Understand business processes and activities that impact and that are impacted by the product and systems you are working on. Develop extensive knowledge in the functionality of the systems you are working on, and integrated systems as is required.
  • Use GUI based tools to create, update and run automation tests, as well as simple scripting languages e.g., JavaScript to customise those tests.
  • Manage UAT’s and ensure completion of test execution within tight deadlines.
  • Enable planning by estimating your own effort. Practice the agreed methodology and apply it to your work, identifying obvious deficiencies and supporting activities to improve the performance in your area.

Skills & Experience:

  • Ability to contribute to improving delivery and understand the importance of evidence- based design and analysis.
  • Awareness of different test tools (bug tracking/defect management)
  • Demonstrable knowledge of business domains and business processes of the systems you test, as well as how these are implemented in the system.
  • You can plan, set realistic targets to test deliverables and regularly review progress to improve performance and manage risks.

We are happy to help you learn our tools and tech stack once you are part of our team.

Essential Criteria:

  • Collaborate with business analysts to make sure the required business scenarios are covered in the User Acceptance Test scripts.
  • Write end to end User Acceptance Test Scripts
  • Work with colleagues in the testing/debugging process.
  • Meet tight testing deadlines and report any risk mitigation to the Senior Test Manager, product team and to the wider Stakeholders.
  • Update/Maintain and run an automated test regression pack.

Desirable Criteria:

  • You know about functional testing techniques. You can execute test scenarios and identify defects, raising awareness of them. You know how to run tests others have written and know the processes to do so. You understand a range of standard testing techniques.
  • You know about non-functional testing techniques. You can execute non-functional test scenarios and identify defects. You can run non-functional tests others have written and know the processes to do so. You understand a range of standard non-functional testing techniques.
  • Show an awareness of a range of tools and techniques for test automation e.g., scripting tests in JavaScript. Likely to have some demonstrable technical attributes.

Application process:

The following areas of the Success Profile Framework will be used to assess and score your application during the sift, and interview.

  • Experience – As demonstrated in your application form.
  • Behaviours – During the sift and interview, you will be required to provide evidence of the following key behaviours at HEO Level:

o   Behaviour 1 – Delivering at Pace

o   Behaviour 2 – Managing a Quality Service

  • Technical – GDD Assessment – During the interview, you will be assessed against the GDD skills and framework below:

o   GDD Capability Framework Skill 1 - Functional testing

o   GDD Capability Framework Skill 2 - Non-functional testing

o   GDD Capability Framework Skill 3 - Technical breadth

o   GDD Capability Framework Skill 4 - Test analysis

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 8487

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Allowance

Using the Government Digital and Data (GDD) Profession Capability Framework we will then determine if you will be paid an additional allowance, on top of your basic salary.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected w/c 22nd September , but this could be subject to change.
Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Technical
GDD Capability Framework Skill 1 - Functional testing
GDD Capability Framework Skill 2 - Non-functional testing
GDD Capability Framework Skill 3 - Technical breadth
GDD Capability Framework Skill 4 - Test analysis
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)