Senior Software Development Engineer in Test

Exeter IT Services

The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022). We have recently opened a number of new and exciting opportunities in our IT and Digital function.

The university is developing a new ten-year strategy where digital ways of working will be central to delivering our vision and goals. The digital transformation will impact profoundly on our workplace design, the skills we develop, the way our students learn, and the way we work and collaborate, and we want to ensure that this transformation has our staff and students at its heart. We are investing in digital technology and skills development to strengthen our education, research, and partnerships, and to meet the needs of our community.

Exeter IT & Digital is central to all of this, and we are looking for people to join us who want to be part of this major transformation and part of changing the way we work and the way our students learn.

Why our staff love working here

The role

We are looking for a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test to join our team in order to lead responsibility for the specialist development and management of the University’s automated capabilities around IT development and testing.

You will select, manage and administer automation tools and techniques that will enable continuous system integration to increase reliability and repeatability of system development.

• You will ensure the quality of delivered solutions by developing and implementing automated tests across all test/project phases
• You will implement and maintain an automation environment that delivers a repeatable and reliable testing and deployment processes that enable fast and robust IT development across the full range of IT applications.
• You will be responsible for implementing and managing tools and techniques for automated build, deployment and testing across a broad range of IT technologies and platforms.
• Implement a broad variety of complex technical, operational and problem solving activities for IT applications and services, and provide professional advice about your area of expertise to academic and professional services staff.
• In the role of Subject Matter Expert, provide DevOps expertise and opportunities for automating processes, and collaborate with other senior developers and Research IT Officers in the planning of new IT applications and services.

About you

• Extensive experience in platform security, performance and API testing as well as strong software development skills.
• Experience with automated testing tools including initial scripting, writing and maintaining automated test packs.
• Expert knowledge of how to write good tests (including unit and integration), and the test pyramid is at the centre of your test strategies.
• A self-motivated engineer with an appetite to explore a complex architectural and business domain and build an industry leading test framework for it.
• An authority on good testing practice and love sharing this knowledge with others.
• Experience with working with complex cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker)Be technically fluent in scripting/programming languages, web services or other appropriate technical skills such as: Git, Jenkins (and other build/deployment tools), Java, Selenium,
• Have outstanding verbal and written communication skills and a proven ability to communicate across multi-functional and technical working teams to build ongoing relationships to ensure effective communications and exchange of information.
• Experience of test automation tools and test management tools (e.g. Jira).Be flexible, adaptive, and proactive in your approach to seek continuous improvement of our services and technologies.

This full time role is available on a 1 year fixed term basis. This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role. 

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, so please don’t hesitate in applying, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Are you convinced, but don't find you 100% fit the profile? Feel free to send us your application anyway! We look forward to growing with you!

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Further information

For further information, please contact Pete Robinson, [email protected] .