Lead Software Developer in Test (SDET)

On behalf of HM Courts \& Tribunals Service (HMCTS) we are looking for a Lead Software Developer in Test (SDET) (Inside IR35\) for a 12 month contract. Remote working with occasional office travel.

As a Lead Software Developer in Test, you will work within multidisciplinary teams alongside developers, business analysts, product managers, user researchers, delivery managers and architects.

You will be responsible for designing and implementing automated testing solutions that provide fast, reliable feedback throughout the software delivery lifecycle.

Working closely with the Testing Centre of Excellence, you will help improve testing capability across HMCTS by developing reusable automation frameworks, promoting engineering best practice and supporting teams in adopting modern quality engineering approaches.

As a Lead Software Developer in Test (SDET) your main responsibilities will be:

• Design, develop and maintain automated test frameworks using Playwright and TypeScript.


• Develop robust automated tests across UI, API and integration layers.


• Embed automated testing into CI/CD pipelines to support continuous delivery.


• Work with delivery teams to ensure quality is considered throughout the software development lifecycle.


• Establish automation\-first testing approaches for new products and services, driving quality strategy, shift\-left testing and release readiness across multidisciplinary teams.


• Collaborate with developers to improve testability and quality of solutions.


• Support accessibility testing and ensure compliance with GOV.UK and WCAG standards.


• Contribute to performance, non\-functional and resilience testing activities.


• Analyse defects and test failures, identifying root causes and supporting resolution.


• Create and maintain test data, test environments and automated reporting solutions.


• Promote shift\-left testing practices and quality engineering principles.


• Support the HMCTS Testing Centre of Excellence in developing standards, patterns and reusable testing assets.


• Contribute to Communities of Practice and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential:

• Strong experience developing automated tests using Playwright.


• Experience with TypeScript or JavaScript.


• Experience designing and maintaining automation frameworks.


• Experience establishing testing approaches and automation frameworks for new products or services, including driving quality engineering practices across delivery teams.


• Experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines.


• Experience testing REST APIs and service integrations.


• Experience working within Agile delivery teams.


• Knowledge of test automation design patterns and engineering best practice.


• Understanding of accessibility testing and WCAG requirements.


• Experience using source control tools such as Git.


• Strong problem\-solving and analytical skills.

An active SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing \& eligible to undergo checks. (Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short\-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.)

Desirable:

• Experience with performance testing tools such as Gatling, JMeter or k6\.


• Experience with Azure cloud services.


• Experience using container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.


• Experience with Dynatrace or similar monitoring platforms.


• Experience working within Government Digital Service (GDS) environments.


• Experience supporting enterprise\-scale testing communities or centres of excellence.


• Knowledge of AI\-assisted testing and software development tools

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, HMCTS guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

HMCTS guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex\-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".

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