Would you like the opportunity to work with the latest technologies reaching 50 million users? The DVLA and Inspire People are partnering together to bring you an exciting opportunity for a Test Engineer to work on analysing and assuring the quality of DVLAs software to build products quickly and safely. As a Test Engineer at DVLA, you will help build world class digital services that pave the way for DVLA’s business transformation. £35,663 plus excellent Civil Service benefits and 27% pension. Flexible, hybrid working from Swansea, a great place to work, live and play, with a healthy work-life balance on how and where you work.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about what it’s like working at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency – Department for Transport Careers
Job description
A Test Engineer is responsible for creating solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of testing processes. They apply established engineering standards to design, develop, and execute a range of technical tests.
This role ensures a high‑quality, reliable testing service by planning, designing, and performing all testing activities, including work on legacy systems.
The Test Engineer verifies and validates code using appropriate tools and methodologies, supporting the Scrum team in delivering tasks and achieving a clear definition of ‘done.’
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Determine test scope and estimate the effort required
- Use technical tooling and engineering approaches to design and execute tests
- Develop reports, record outcomes and support the resolution of defects
- Contribute to and follow engineering practices and standards
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- You will be comfortable reading and writing stories in the Gherkin specification language.
- You will have real experience of using test tooling to assist you in testing 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.
- You will have experience as a Test Analyst or Test Engineer and able to work across multiple delivery squads and be able to have difficult conversations when your testing has identified defects. You will actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives and collaborate with others to share information, resources and support.
Working for the DVLA Digital Team
At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.
To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog
Additional Information Working Hours/office attendance & travel requirements
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (the location cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Visa Sponsorship
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.
Security Check
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement – if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.
Behaviours:
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Skills:
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework – Designing and executing tests – working
- Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework – Test and quality planning – working
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £35,663, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £10,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic 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 28.9%, depending on chosen pension scheme
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
- Digital communities with clear career frameworks
- On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
- On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Free parking
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant’s qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV
Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview
Stage 3: Interview
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift of CV
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).
Upon receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.
To apply please click ‘Apply at advertiser’s site’ at the bottom of the page. For this role you will need to submit a CV. Within your CV please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:
- Experience in software testing, including manual and/or automated testing, defect management, and test creation.
- Familiarity with testing tools (e.g. X-Ray/Bruno) and understanding of software development life cycles.
- Ability to work with and gain an understanding of digital products and data, using designs and user stories.
- Evidence of identifying, diagnosing, and resolving bugs found during testing.
The sift will take place week commencing 23/02/26.
Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview
If at sift your application is successful, you will be invited to the first stage of the interview process (hosted by Inspire People), where you will be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview (this again will be based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).
If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview (which will include an assessment) and be conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.
Stage 3: Interview
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 interview will include:
Behaviours Success Profiles
* Working Together
* Delivering at Pace
Technical Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
* Designing and executing tests – working
* Test and quality planning – working
Final stage interviews will take place from 09/03/26.
This interview will be conducted face to face, details of which will be provided, should you be selected for interview.
Please familiarise yourself with the Digital & Data Profession Framework as you will be tested on elements of these during the interview stage.
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.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
We will also hold a 12 reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Contact point for applicants
Job contact:
- Name: Andrew Medhurst
- Email: andrew@inspirepeople.net
Tel: 020 7871 8558
Recruitment team:
- Email: ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk
Further information
in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission.
Attachments
| Role Profile – Test Engineer Opens in new window(pdf, 185kB) |
| DVLA Digital Job Brochure – V1 2025 (1) Opens in new window(pdf, 2074kB) |