Manual Software Tester

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Manual Software Tester

Permanent

£39,855 – £44,542

Hybrid with requirement to travel to Bristol office 1 day every 3 weeks.

Do you want the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects?

Are you driven to ensure software quality in a supportive and collaborative Agile environment?

At AQA GradeMaker, our mission is to revoluntise how assessments are created, managed and delivered. As a Manual Software Tester, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring the quality of reliable and scalable solutions that drive our cutting-edge platform. Collaborating with a close-knit team of talented professionals, you’ll be involved in all phases of the development lifecycle — from reviewing user stories and providing insightful feedback to proposing improvements, testing complex user stories and bug fixes, regression testing, and ensuring smooth, high-quality releases.  

Your primary focus will be to ensure consistent quality by identifying bugs and inconsistencies, tracking fixes through to resolution, and ensuring that the application meets the specified requirements and user expectations. We emphasise the importance of domain and product knowledge in our testing approach, using it to guide functional testing of user stories along with exploratory testing.  

GradeMaker is an assessment authoring and item banking solution, trusted by exam providers around the world to create high stakes examination papers and other assessments

What’s in it for me?

At AQA we recognise our employees' contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package. This includes:

• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days, increasing to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure. 
• Flexible Working: A 35-hour week with the empowerment to deliver the requirements of your role when it suits everyone.  
• Develop yourself at work: Receive sponsorship for apprenticeships and other qualifications.  
• Competitive Pension Scheme: Excellent contributory pension plan (6% - 11.5% based on your contribution). 
• Your health and wellbeing: BUPA private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme and free access to the Headspace app. 
• Other benefits: Life assurance, electric car salary sacrifice and an enhanced maternity/paternity scheme. 

What will I need to succeed?

• Demonstrable experience of operating in Agile environments
• Excellent analytical skills
• A questioning and investigative mind
• Proven experience in testing complex user stories and bug fixes, with expertise in both functional and exploratory testing methods.
• Knowledge of Agile testing techniques in a SCRUM context
• A pragmatic approach with requisite attention to detail

What do I do next?

Join us and play a crucial role in delivering high-quality software that makes a difference. Apply now to be part of our dynamic team!

Please upload your most recent CV with a cover letter detailing your skills and experience for this role.

Closing date for applications will be Sunday 23rd March.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Job Profile Summary
To support all manual testing functions in a close-knit Development team working in an Agile environment. 
To represent the Test Team in the day-to-day development activities, including functional testing of user stories and bug fixes, exploratory testing, and regression testing. 
Working with other Testers and Developers on a complex business application to ensure the efficient delivery of sprints through to completion. 
Job Description
Key Accountabilities
Personally undertake day-to-day hands-on manual testing within an Agile environment; reporting to the Test Manager and working with the Test team to ensure the highest quality standards are met. 
Functional testing of new complex product features based on User story acceptance criteria, exploratory testing, manual regression testing and supporting automation testing when needed. 
Reporting defects in a clear and constructive way with documented steps to reproduce and ensure initial process steps undertaken in accordance with defect management process.  
Identifying user experience issues, expressing suggestions and inconsistencies. 
Continually expand product knowledge for own testing needs and to support others in the Development and wider team. 
Work closely with Developers; being proactive in questioning and contributing to discussions on solutions and adapting to changes with requirements as needed.  
Contribute to daily stand-ups, sprint retrospective meetings and collaborate in story review and refinement meetings; reviewing requirements and identifying issues and risks when possible.  
Sharing ideas and knowledge, identifying opportunities for testing process improvement, and act as advocate for their consideration for implementation. 
Query database (MongoDB) to support testing.
General Accountabilities
To model professional behaviours with confidence, especially the specific AQA and Assessment Technology behavioural cornerstones.
To comply with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
Where business needs change, to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level outside the terms of this role profile.
Person profile
Knowledge
A broad understanding of testing and its role, relevance and application in either a commercial or an educational environment - A/I
In-depth understanding of the testing life-cycle in context of the ALM (Agile and at least one other). - A/I
Detailed knowledge and understanding of testing techniques and management tools and their application in Agile and at least one other methodology - A/I
Knowledge of Agile testing techniques in a SCRUM context - A/I/P
Understanding of the purpose and processes of non-functional testing, including Penetration Testing - I/P
Qualification
Degree level qualification in Software Engineering or equivalent discipline, or equivalent professional experience – A
Skills
Proven oral and written communication skills and ability to explain issues to technical and non-technical staff - A/I
Ability to undertake functional  testing- A/I
Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills in a variety of situations - I
Excellent analytical skills - A/I
A questioning and investigative mind - I/P
A pragmatic approach with requisite attention to detail - I/P
Ability and willingness to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team - I/P
Ability to apply a risk-based testing approach and awareness of commonplace system malfunctions and defects - I/P
Ability to quickly glean knowledge of systems and components under test - I/P
Ability to adapt to new approaches, technologies, tools and procedures - I/P
Ability to positively influence colleagues with regard to Testing matters - I/P
Demonstrable ability to produce and maintain high quality detailed testing documentation - I/P
Demonstrates resilience and calmness under pressure to meet tight deadlines in complex contexts - I/P
Receive feedback and learn from mistakes for continuous self-development - I/P
Demonstrates proactive collaborative working across functional areas to deliver shared goals - I/P
Leadership Skills
Collaborative and flexible in approach and a thought-leader especially in role-specific areas of expertise. - A/I/P
Maintain constructive links with other teams and work collaboratively to deliver targets. - I/P
Experience
Demonstrable experience of successfully undertaking tasks in line with Key Accountabilities - A/I
Demonstrable experience of operating in Agile environments - A/I
Demonstrable experience and knowledge of recognised testing techniques (eg black box, white box, risk-based, scenario-based) - A/I
Assessment key (criteria to be assessed at the selection stage)
A – application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes)
I - interview
T – test (or work sample)
P – probation