Non-Functional Test Lead

National Grid is in the process of migrating the Electricity Transmission business processes from the current shared SCADA system to a new OSI Aspentech/DGM provided Monarch SCADA System. This is necessary as part of separation from NESO (National Electricity System Operator) as currently share a SCADA system. The new ET SCADA system will monitor/control circa 350 electricity substations. Each substation includes approximately 150 assets (connectors, circuit breakers, switch gears) and an estimated 2,000 sensors feeding health status and values back to the SCADA system. The new SCADA will integrate with other business systems to reduce manual handling of data, meet regulatory objectives to "be more digital," improve efficiency, and maintain a safe system of work. The programme is being delivered through a mix of SCRUM until the end of SIT, with later test stages delivered in Waterfall. There are 4 SCRUM Teams across 5 functional areas (MWP, MRTF, MTNC, SVC & PNA combined as the EMS team). Teams include DGM, NGET business SMEs, test resources and resources from other suppliers. This is a CNI (Critical National Infrastructure) programme, meaning Non-Functional Testing is equally important as Functional Testing. OAT-especially resilience and recoverability-is more extensive than in non-critical applications. Performance is critical for network maintenance and asset control. Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the Test Workstream Lead
• Daily collaboration with Technical Services Architects and Engineers, Business Analysts, SIQ (Architecture), Vendor Architects and SMEs
• Regular interactions with Network & Infrastructure Test Teams, Functional Test Team, Business SMEs, POs, and PMs

Primary Responsibilities

• Work with Programme and supplier Business and Technical stakeholders to agree the scope and plan for delivering Performance Testing and Application OAT (using a collaborative workshop-based approach)
• Implement a Risk-Based approach to NFT, defining appropriate approach and tooling
• Estimate the work required for both test analysts and SMEs, feeding information into wider planning
• Own and produce the Performance Test and Application OAT Test Plans and Reports with Test Analysts
• Lead and manage the day-to-day work of Performance Test and Application OAT Analysts, coaching them in best practices and tooling
• Ensure appropriate stakeholder involvement in the test effort
• Create and maintain the project plan for NFT delivery (as part of the wider workstream plan)
• Ensure user stories for SME involvement are in JIRA backlogs to support planning
• Monitor and report on status, coverage, and results for wider test reporting
• Identify and manage RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) related to NFT
• Raise and support defect management as part of the wider Defect Management Process
• Participate in test preparation and execution-creating test scenarios, workload models, click paths, scripts, custom stubs/drivers, etc.
• Participate/lead root cause analysis for defects

Secondary Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Test Workstream Lead when needed
• Support other test stages as required

• 10+ years as a Non-Functional Test Architect and Specialist spanning Performance Testing and Operational Acceptance Testing
• Adept in planning and executing Application OAT and Performance Testing using a Risk-Based approach
• Expert-level knowledge of multiple Performance Test Tools
• Ability to create custom solutions to generate load for proprietary protocols
• Expert-level knowledge of Application Operational Acceptance Testing
• In-depth knowledge of diverse solution architectures and ability to architect appropriate NFT solutions
• Good knowledge of SCADA, Real-Time Control, and NMS (Network Monitoring Systems)
• Preferably OSI Aspentech / DGM Products
• Electricity Transmission domain experience or similar industries
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to power and control systems engineering (IEC101, IEC104, GI74, IEC 61850, IEEE standards)
• Understanding of Security Architectures and principles
• Experience with JIRA, X-ray, JQL, and Power BI reporting
• Hands-on experience with Neoload and LoginVS