We are currently looking for a Senior QAT Analyst to join our Technology and Service Operations Function within the Digital and Technology group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The Digital and Technology Group lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services. Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agency’s legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions, designed around our customers’ needs.
The Technology & Service Operations function is responsible for managing the existing IT infrastructure including database and other technology platforms including both software and hardware infrastructure, leading the maintenance of applications directly and through management of outsourced service delivery providers, including the Agency IT and helpdesk and for the development and QA of and transition to new software and hardware infrastructure.
What’s the role?
The post holder will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and reliability of systems by supporting test engineers and developers in implementing robust testing procedures. This role involves creating functional and non-functional test plans, defining testing requirements, and estimating test efforts using a risk-based approach. The post holder will drive test coverage across various platforms, including web and mobile applications, APIs, microservices, cloud-based services such as Azure, low-code environments such as D365 and Appian, and AI-enabled or data-driven applications and services.
Key responsibilities:
Design and execute a variety of tests, ensuring comprehensive coverage for web, mobile, API, microservice, low-code, and AI-enabled or data-driven applications, while communicating results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Identify and prioritise defects, assessing their business impact and ensuring efficient defect resolution.
Mentor and lead junior testers, providing guidance on testing techniques and best practices, and supporting their development.
Contribute to test planning and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure tasks are prioritised based on team capacity and project needs, ensuring smooth software delivery.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will have:
Ability to design and execute a wide range of testing techniques, including functional, regression, UAT, and integration testing, and clearly communicate test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Hands-on experience in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) or general software testing, including identifying defects, prioritising them, and effectively reporting them to drive improvements.
Experience testing microservices running in the cloud (ideally Azure) and/or with low-code platforms (e.g., Appian), and you understand how these affect testing in terms of robustness, availability, and security.
Proven experience working with Change Management processes, including understanding how they integrate with testing and driving continuous improvements in testing practices.
Awareness of testing considerations for AI-enabled or complex data-driven applications and services, including functional behaviour, data quality, integration points, reliability, and risk.
Person Specification:
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
Experience Criteria:
Proven experience in designing and executing complex test strategies across a range of technologies, including web-based applications, cloud platforms (e.g., Azure), and low-code environments (e.g., D365, Appian) (A, I)
Experience in functional software testing with extensive hands-on experience in delivering quality assurance for large-scale systems (A, I)
Demonstrated leadership in driving test efforts, collaborating with key stakeholders, and continuously improving testing processes (A, I)
In-depth knowledge of Change Management processes and how they integrate with testing (Desirable) (A, I)
Proven ability to assess and prioritise defects based on severity during testing phases, ensuring timely resolution of critical issues (A, I)
Proficiency working with a wide variety of testing tools (e.g., JIRA, Zephyr) (A, I)
Understanding of Test automation frameworks and integration methods (Desirable) (A, I)
Proficiency in various test types, including Regression, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Smoke testing, and Integration testing. Able to choose and apply the right methodologies based on project needs, ensuring end-to-end coverage (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
Skilled in creating and executing detailed test plans across web, mobile, and low-code applications, with emphasis on UI, functional, regression, and cross-browser/device testing (A, I, T)
Skilled in designing and executing test cases for API endpoints, verifying data flows, and ensuring integration reliability between services using tools like Postman (A, I, T)
Proficiency in tools like JIRA, Zephyr, TestRail, and Confluence, leveraging these for test case management, defect tracking, and documentation (A, I, T)
Advanced expertise in using defect tracking and reporting tools to log, categorise, and track issues. Skilled in providing detailed, actionable reports that aid in swift resolution (A, I, T)
Familiar with Agile testing tools and practices, ensuring seamless integration within Agile/Scrum teams (A, I, T)
Awareness of testing considerations for AI-enabled applications and services, including quality, reliability, and risk management, with the ability to apply appropriate assurance approaches (A, I, T)
Familiarity with automated testing tools (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright) and principles (Desirable) (A, I, T)
Basic understanding of non-functional testing. Familiarity with tools and the ability to recognise bottlenecks (Desirable) (A, I, T)
ISTQB certification or equivalent advanced qualifications are highly desirable to demonstrate expertise in testing methodologies and best practices. (Desirable) (A, I, T)
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification !
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The selection process:
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here .
Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage.
Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 19 th July 2026
Shortlisting date: from 27 th July 2026
Interview date: from 3 rd August 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks .
Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (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. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is 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.
Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here .
Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.
Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.
The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected] .
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at [email protected] .
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
[email protected]
Civil Service Commission
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