Non-Functional Test Assurance Manager

London or Manchester (Hybrid working model, 2 days a week office based, 3 days remote)

Competitive Salary plus performance related bonus

We’re looking for a Non-Functional Test Assurance Manager to drive our Non-Functional Test and assurance efforts, confirming our products and services meet the highest quality standards. The role ensures that the non-functional testing delivered by our Service Providers is optimised to certify that our systems meet performance, reliability and scalability requirements, protecting the service we provide to our customers.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, with a strong technical background and proven leadership abilities, who is keen to undertake the challenge of building our organisational non-functional test capability as we mature and transition towards utilising best practice delivery models and tools.

Our Technology Assurance Function is part of Smart DCC’s Technology Office (CTO) and currently comprises of four teams which are:

• Test Assurance
• Testing Services
• Enterprise Testing
• Business Analysis

This role resides within the Test Assurance team but will be required to work across internal functions and with external stakeholders to set the approach, frameworks and standards under which all non-functional testing will be operated. In addition, the candidate will be required to assure the delivery of our Service Providers non-functional testing in alignment with our non-functional testing strategy.

What will you be doing?

• Defining, owning and maintaining a Non-Functional Test Strategy which sets the principles, frameworks, tools and organisational / industry standards by which Non-Functional Test will be conducted
• Driving best practice in conducting Non-Functional Test as our organisation transitions incrementally from sequential / waterfall delivery to a DevOps & CI/CD delivery model
• Defining / Implementing a Non-Functional Test catalogue with a systematic approach to assessing and determining the need for NFT and relevant Non-Functional Test types for individual systems changes
• Working with projects and programmes in collaboration with SMEs to agree the required scope of Non-Functional Test types including performance, capacity, load, stress, reliability, BCDR and security testing
• Validation of Non-Functional Requirements and design specifications to ensure their testability and provide clear traceability through to Non-Functional Testing scope
• Defining and agreeing a Test Completion Report for each Non-Functional Test phase, clearly documenting the testing conducted to demonstrate that NFRs have been achieved, and evidencing compliance with the agreed completion criteria
• Fostering strong relationships with, and influencing a wide array of internal and external stakeholders, including the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and the SEC Panel Testing Advisory Group sub-committee (TAG)
• Socialising our Strategy, Approach and Completion documentation with our Service Providers to gain their buy-in and alignment in delivery
• Navigating strict regulatory governance processes to gain the required internal and external agreements on Test Approach Documentation and Test Completion Reports

What are we looking for?

• 10+ years’ experience in non-functional testing or test assurance roles
• Extensive experience of managing a portfolio of activity across non-functional testing types including performance, capacity, load, stress, reliability, BCDR and security testing
• Deep knowledge of testing tools and frameworks, including Azure DevOps, JMeter, JUnit, LoadRunner, Selenium, Postman, Virtuoso, Gremlin, WireMock, OpenShift, BitBucketetc)
• Strong technical understanding of cloud environments, networks, distributed systems, micro-services, service virtualisation and modern architectures
• Familiarity with AI/ML in testing, DevOpsCI/CD and continuous testing practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proven ability to analyse systems performance metrics and recommend optimisations
• Excellent communicator with a proven ability to influence and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes
• Proficient at drafting and presenting technical reports and testing artefacts, pitching the level of detail to the required technical and non-technical target audiences
• Testing certification (ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst, Certified Performance Tester or other relevant certification)

About the DCC:

At the DCC, we believe in making Britain more connected, so we can all lead smarter, greener lives. That desire to make a difference is what drives us every day and it wouldn’t be possible without our people. Each person at the DCC brings a special kind of power to the business, and if you join us, we’ll give you the means to unleash yours. Here, we depend on each other and hold each other accountable. You have the power to challenge and make change, to take the initiative and enjoy real responsibility. Whether it’s doing purposeful work, helping us grow or building the career you want - we’ll give you the support to do it all. Our secure network for smart meters is transforming Britain’s energy system and helping the country’s fight against climate change: we want you to be part of our journey.

Company benefits:

The DCC’s continued success depends on our people. It’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work, and feel healthy, happy and rewarded. In this role, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalized plan unique to your lifestyle.

Join the DCC and discover the power of you.

What to do now

Choose 'Applynow’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.