Additional details on security and vetting
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements for Security Check (SC) before they can be appointed. Further information on the vetting process can be found at National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.
To be eligible for SC clearance, candidates must meet the vetting criteria and have been a resident in the UK for at least 3 out of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
Please review our vetting charter to understand what you can expect from the process - The vetting charter - GOV.UK
If you have questions regarding this or are unsure if you meet the eligibility criteria, please contact [email protected]
Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.
We welcome applications in Welsh / Rydym yn croesawi ceisiadau yn y Gymraeg.
Key dates (dates are indicative only and could be subject to change)
-
Closing date - 7th September 2026, at 23:55
-
Sifting of applications - 8th September 2026 onwards
- Candidate Automation Activity (please note the portal refers to this stage as 'interview 1') - w/c 21st September 2026
-
Sifting of Automation Activity- w/c 28th September
-
Interviews (please note the portal refers to this stage as 'interview 2') - w/c 19th October 2026, via Microsoft Teams
Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.
What will the process look like?
Stage 1- Sift
An initial sift of applications will be carried out to create a shortlist. This will be based on the evidence provided for the following Success Profile elements: Experience & Skills.
Were committed to being diverse and inclusive, so please make your application anonymous by removing all identifying personal information (such as your name and age) from your personal statement. This also applies to your employment history, this means excluding names of schools, or any personal identifiers.
Your CV will be used to assess your suitability for the role alongside your Experience.
In your application form wed like you to:
CV
-
Tell us about your employment history, including key responsibilities and achievements.
Personal statement
Write a Personal Statement of up to 1250 words explaining how you meet the criteria below. To ensure we can assess all the requirements, please structure your statement into five separate sections, using approximately 250 words for each.
For each section, provide clear examples from your experience that demonstrate your knowledge, skills and achievements in that area:
-
proven experience designing and automating software tests, ideally in web and API applications. You will be expected to coach and mentor Test Engineers (Lead Criteria).
-
strong proficiency in Typescript/Playwright, Java/Selenium or similar modern testing frameworks.
-
familiarity with cloud-based testing platforms (e.g. Browserstack Automate).
-
experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
-
experience of Non Functional testing practices including Security, Performance and Accessibility Testing.
For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers.
Please note:
-
In the event of a high volume of applications, an initial sift may be conducted against the Lead Criteria: proven experience designing and automating software tests, ideally in web and API applications. You will be expected to coach and mentor Test Engineers.
-
If you pass the initial sift (lead criteria), you may either move on to a full sift (full personal statement) or go straight to interview 1, depending on number of applications received.
-
We may raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications
When answering, give clear and specific examples of what you personally did, explaining the actions you took and the results or impact of your work.
Were committed to being diverse and inclusive, so please make your application anonymous by removing all identifying personal information (such as your name and age) from your personal statement.
At sift we may choose to take through the highest performing candidates to the next stage. If, after the final stage is completed and roles are unfilled, we will proceed to invite lower scoring candidates to interview.
Stage 2- Technical Assessment (please note the portal refers to this stage as 'interview 1')
-
Candidates successful at sift will progress to the assessment stage, where you will asked to complete a technical activity to demonstrate the technical skills and experience listed in the job description.
-
Full details will be emailed across to candidates, including information about submission deadlines.
-
The technical assessment stage will be assessing Technical Skill: design and development of test automation and test approach.
Stage 3- Interview (please note the portal refers to this stage as 'interview 2')
Companies House uses a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you. We use the Success Profile framework and at interview we will use Success Profiles assessing the Behaviours listed in the advert. Successful candidates from the sift stage and technical assessment will be invited to a virtual interview, which will be conducted using Microsoft Teams.
If after the interview you are not found appointable at the advertised grade, you may be offered a lower grade role if you are considered to meet the skills, experience and behaviours for the lower level. The benchmark for appointing to the lower grade is set at the start of each campaign.
Stage 3 - offer
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles.
Reserve list
This recruitment campaign will keep a reserve list for 12 months. If you meet the requirements for this role but aren't offered after passing the interview, you'll be placed on the reserve list. Subject to business need, if a suitable position opens up during this time, we will reach out to individuals in merit order. Successful applicants will be required to start on the date offered to align with the training schedule. Those who are unable to start on that date or are unavailable for certain parts of the training period will be placed on the reserve list for consideration in a future intake.
This post is being advertised Externally.
Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted or considered. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, or if you'd like to discuss any person-centred adjustments then please let the recruitment team know via; [email protected]
Pre-Employment Checking
In line with Government guidance, successfully appointed candidates will need to provide documents for our Right to Work checks.
From June 2026, applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). Your personal details (name, National Insurance number, and date of birth) will be checked against the Civil Service Resourcing Extract 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.
If your details appear on this database, you will not be offered employment unless you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. Companies House, acting on behalf of the vacancy holder, will inform you if your application is refused for this reason.
Please note: You are 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.
