About the job

Job summary

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we encourage applications from everyone, particularly groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. We pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has and promote inclusivity and equality of opportunity for all. Our recruitment process is anonymised, which means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.  

Are you experienced in building test automation for both web-based user interfaces and APIs?

Is your attention to detail thorough?

Are you passionate about SDET principles with a good comprehension of Automation Testing?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

Job description

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we take testing very seriously and we automate as much as we can. Our Software Development Engineer in Test (SDETs) are building best-in-class test automation software so that we can build products quickly and safely. You will be a critical part of a squad following a behaviour-driven design approach (ATDD). You will love to code and to test in equal measure and challenge us to increase the scope of our Continuous Testing.

We use Cucumber with Ruby for most of our testing. Our systems under test are usually Dockerised or Serverless applications.

You will be building automation for our brand new or newly transformed services, working as a core member of one of our delivery squads as the software is being developed. You will have a critical role in making sure the software is tested and testable.

Join the DVLA as an SDET - Automation Test Engineer and you’ll help build world class digital services that pave the way for future business transformation.

In this dynamic role you will be part of an engineering team accountable for continually driving all aspects of quality improvements. You will be working in one of our delivery teams or as part of the dedicated independent testing team.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include but will not be limited to: 

• Developing applications using: Java, Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails, Node.js and React.js.
• Testing using: Ruby and Cucumber, Capybara, RSpec, Artillery and Jest.
• Deploying and running using: Cloud infrastructure, such as AWS, MS Azure, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes and Serverless Technologies.

Our delivery squads follow a DevOps model and are responsible for the full life-cycle of their product. As such, there may be an opportunity going forward to participate in an out-of-hours rota which will attract an additional allowance.

For further information about the role please see the attached role profile. 

Additional Information  

Applications will be accepted from full time/part time/job sharers. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week. Part time and/or flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible or part time working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’. 

This role will be based in Swansea, and we will be operating a hybrid working model that allows you to work between home and on-site giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work, subject to business needs and this also allows for ongoing support, development, and collaboration with colleagues. 

Therefore, the expectation is that you will spend a minimum of 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace (DVLA). We would encourage you to discuss the working arrangements for this role with us during the recruitment process. 

Person specification

The DVLA is at the cutting edge of cloud-first technologies. You will be comfortable using the Cucumber framework and able to develop expertise in the Ruby programming language to test applications and infrastructure on Platform-as-a-Service environments.

You will have real experience of building test automation for both web-based user interfaces and APIs.

You will proactively look to implement Continuous Testing principles to speed up the feedback cycle for all elements of quality, such as security and accessibility, using automation by default.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about SDET principles who has a good comprehension of Automation Testing, able to use modern programming language and to programmatically test any software product and develop automation for it.

You will have examples of improving QA efficiency through test automation and tools.

You will have a high attention to detail and not be afraid to challenge when needs be.

It would be great if you had experience of technical coaching and enjoy leading junior members of a team.

We strive to ensure that DVLA is a great place to work where everybody can be their true self, be treated with dignity and respect, and according to their individual needs. We have a number of staff network groups run by staff to support their colleagues. 

Working for the DVLA Digital Team 

At the DVLA our work matters. We’re at the forefront of digital within government, providing new and improved services that are reliable, easy to use and offer value for money for our customers. With over 50 million driver records and over 40 million vehicle records, the opportunity to work at this scale is unrivalled across the region. Our services generate billions in revenue and make a difference to the lives of 9 out of 10 households in the UK. 

If you would like to read more about the great opportunities with the DVLA Digital Team then click here. 

Our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog to read about what we have been up to. 

This role currently sits within a Market Force Led (MFL) capability-based pay framework and your basic salary could increase/decrease based on the outcomes of an annual capability assessment. 

View details of the MFL pay framework policy and principles 

Due to the evolving nature of the business, vacancies can become available at any time. Therefore, this campaign may create a reserve list to fulfil demand if it arises which will be held for a period of 12 months. 

Benefits

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• Generous employer contribution of at least 26.6%, depending on rate of salary and chosen pension scheme.
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks.
• On-site gym plus personal training available.
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar.
• 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 1 extra day for the King’s birthday.
• Free parking.
• Ability to buy and sell annual leave.

Visit our careers website or to find out more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA. 

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

We need to understand how your skills and experience meet all the essential criteria for this role. You can use any part of your life to demonstrate your skills and experience, but it must be relevant to the role. You can refer to your work experience, education, hobbies, or interests on your CV.

You may choose to address each of the essential criteria on their own. Or you can give one example that covers all the essential criteria we are looking for. Click here for further guidance on submitting your CV. 

It is essential when submitting your CV that you provide as much detail as possible against the essential criteria outlined below as this will be used to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process. 

On your CV, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria: 

• Experience in development using recognised programming languages.
• Demonstrable experience of automation testing.
• Practical experience of CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment).

The sift is due to take place from 28th February 2024. 

Interviews will be held from 11th March 2024. 

This interview will be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• An interview.
• Technical coding exercise.

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.  

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website. 

Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.