Role Title: Test Specialist

Duration: 6 months

Location: Telford (2 Days per Week Onsite)

Rate: £490p/d max via Umbrella

Clearance: BPSS

The Test Specialist will be responsible for planning, preparing, and executing test activities across assigned workstreams, ensuring adherence to MU's organisational test strategy and Actian Exit governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Test Planning & Design
o Analyse requirements and design artefacts to derive test conditions and acceptance criteria.
o Prepare detailed test cases and data sets for ST, SIT, E2E, UAT, and OAT phases.
o Contribute to risk-based testing approaches and prioritisation.

Execution & Reporting
o Execute functional, integration, and non-functional tests (performance, security, accessibility).
o Log, triage, and retest defects using agreed defect management tools.
o Provide daily progress updates and contribute to RAID management.

Collaboration
o Work closely with engineers, delivery managers, and business SMEs.
o Support knowledge transfer and documentation for business stakeholders.
o Participate in agile ceremonies and quality assurance reviews.

Compliance & Governance
o Ensure all testing aligns with MU's Baseline Test Policy and security standards.
o Maintain audit-ready artefacts (test evidence, completion reports).

Essential Skills & Experience

Strong experience in system testing within complex, multi-supplier environments.
Proficiency in test management tools (eg, Azure DevOps/Jira) and defect tracking.
Knowledge of automation frameworks and Scripting (eg, Selenium, Cucumber/Gherkin).
Familiarity with governance and assurance processes.
ISTQB Foundation or higher certification.

Desirable

Experience with Legacy remediation testing (VB6/Java) and modernisation programmes.
Exposure to performance and security testing tools (eg, Gatling, OWASP ZAP).
Understanding of accessibility and usability testing aligned to GOV.UK standards.