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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Test Lead - **Company:** Department for Business and Trade - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £62,103.0 - £78,054.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Automation of Tests, Software as a Service, Cyber Security, Continuous Delivery, Continuous Integration, DevOps, Apache JMeter, Python (Programming Language), Load Testing, Open Web Application Security, Platform as a Service (PAAS), E2e Testing, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Datadog, Data Logging, Cloud Platform System, Performance Testing, Grafana, SC Clearance, Containerization, Gherkin, Kubernetes, Software Coding, Terraform, Cucumber (Software), Docker - **Published:** August 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.collegerecruiter.com/job/2815042788-test-lead ## About the Role * Proven experience in test automation for infrastructure and platform engineering, including maturing PaaS/SaaS products. * Strong coding skills (Python or Java), with experience building reusable test frameworks, utilities, and using BDD approaches (e.g. Gherkin/Cucumber) for collaborative testing. * Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes), cloud platforms (AWS preferred), and infrastructure-as-code (e.g. Terraform). * Familiarity with observability and performance testing tools (Datadog, ELK, Grafana, Locust, JMeter), plus an understanding of cyber security testing principles and logging requirements. * Ability to coach multidisciplinary teams, embed quality practices in agile delivery, and apply FinOps-aware testing approaches (e.g. cost-impact validation, resource optimisation). * Knowledge of platform engineering patterns (e.g. sidecar architecture, secure base images, technical contracts). * Familiarity with accessibility and security testing standards (e.g. OWASP, WCAG)., This role requires SC clearance. To be eligible, you must have been resident in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. ## Description Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Department for Business and Trade provided pay range This range is provided by Department for Business and Trade. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience - talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range Direct message the job poster from Department for Business and Trade I help "Tech for Good" businesses to build high performing technical teams who value gender diversity £62,103 to £78,054 plus excellent Civil Service benefits and pension London, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham, Salford Join a team at the heart of the global economy! The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Inspire People are partnering together to bring you an exciting opportunity for a Platform Test Lead. With DBT's AWS-based platform supporting digital services across government, this is your opportunity to lead the testing strategy for one of the UK's most technically ambitious digital environments - ensuring the platform is robust, secure, and scalable. You'll embed automation and quality assurance into how DBT designs, delivers, and evolves its cloud platform, supporting services that help UK businesses grow, invest, and trade globally. The Role * Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated test frameworks for platform components and services. * Define and own platform-level test strategies including integration, performance, security, and end-to-end testing. * Work closely with Platform Engineers, Architects, and Cyber specialists to embed testability and resilience in every layer of the platform. * Drive improvements in deployment testing, enabling faster, more reliable releases. * Support observability and FinOps initiatives through cost-impact and performance-focused testing. * Mentor engineers and champion modern test automation and continuous delivery practices. You'll work with: AWS, Terraform, Docker/Kubernetes, Python/Java, CI/CD pipelines, Datadog, Grafana, JMeter, Locust, and related automation frameworks. Essential experience * Proven experience in test automation for infrastructure and platform engineering, including maturing PaaS/SaaS products. * Strong coding skills (Python or Java), with experience building reusable test frameworks, utilities, and using BDD approaches (e.g. Gherkin/Cucumber) for collaborative testing. * Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes), cloud platforms (AWS preferred), and infrastructure-as-code (e.g. Terraform). * Familiarity with observability and performance testing tools (Datadog, ELK, Grafana, Locust, JMeter), plus an understanding of cyber security testing principles and logging requirements. * Ability to coach multidisciplinary teams, embed quality practices in agile delivery, and apply FinOps-aware testing approaches (e.g. cost-impact validation, resource optimisation). * Knowledge of platform engineering patterns (e.g. sidecar architecture, secure base images, technical contracts). * Familiarity with accessibility and security testing standards (e.g. OWASP, WCAG). Security Clearance This role requires SC clearance. To be eligible, you must have been resident in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Benefits * Civil Service pension with average employer contribution of 28.97% * 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 with service * Hybrid/flexible working (2-3 days in office per week) * Three paid volunteering days per year * Tailored learning and development opportunities * Inclusive culture encouraging diversity and innovation How to Apply Submit a 2-page CV aligned to the essential criteria. Inspire People will review applications before progressing to DBT hiring managers. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and complete a technical exercise. Closing statement If you are a Test Lead, Automation Engineer, or DevOps professional looking to lead testing across a high-impact platform that drives UK digital transformation, apply today or contact Keesha Paulsen at Inspire People in confidence for more information. ## Related Videos - [Testing AI Agents: Automated Evaluation for Chatbots & RAG Systems](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100300-testing-ai-agents-automated-evaluation-for-chatbots-rag-systems) - [From DevOps to Scaled DevOps: How We’re Rebuilding Continuous Delivery as a Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100018-from-devops-to-scaled-devops-how-we-re-rebuilding-continuous-delivery-as-a-platform) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Continuous testing - run automated tests for every change!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/190-continuous-testing-run-automated-tests-for-every-change) - [Testing .NET applications a Tool box for every developer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/704-testing-net-applications-a-tool-box-for-every-developer) - [AI as a Test Designer: Transforming Experience into Automated Testing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1984-ai-as-a-test-designer-transforming-experience-into-automated-testing) ## Related Articles - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk)