Development Test Engineer

Job Title: Development Test Engineer Business Function: IT Salary: £43,850 Role Type: Permanent Location: Within Northern's network area; must commute to office for a minimum of two days per week. Hours: 37 per week Reliable journeys don’t just happen on the tracks — they’re built on effective, dependable technology. At Northern, our IT teams play a critical role in keeping the systems behind our railway running safely and smoothly.

You’ll play a key role in ensuring the systems powering our railway are robust, resilient, and ready for anything. What you’ll be doing Designing and building automated tests that slot into our continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Running complex functional, integration, regression, and backend tests across systems and services.

Working closely with developers to review changes, spot risks early, and improve testability. Turning requirements and user stories into detailed, practical test scenarios – including edge cases. Validating data and integrations using tools like SQL and APIs.

Identifying, analysing, and clearly communicating defects so they can be fixed quickly. Supporting smooth releases by ensuring testing is complete and risks are understood. Improving how we test – refining frameworks, tools, and ways of working.

Sharing knowledge with others in the team to build consistency and capability. Defining and establishing the tools and automation patterns used across the testing function. About you Curious, methodical, and confident working with both code and data.

Excellent communicator who can build strong relationships across multiple departments. Programming knowledge, automation experience, and a sharp eye for detail. Experience testing software across functional, integration, and regression levels.

Role model, helping embed testing practices across the test function while working closely with the Test and Assurance Manager. Confidence building and maintaining automated tests using tools such as Selenium, Cypress, JUnit, or similar. Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and Agile ways of working.

Ability to work closely with developers and understand code, architecture, and integrations. Experience using tools like Git and Jira (or similar) to manage work and track defects. Skills in querying databases using SQL to validate system behaviour.

A practical approach to problem‑solving, with the confidence to raise risks early. Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience is welcome, as is a recognised testing certification such as ISTQB. What’s in it for you?

Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75 % discount on other UK and European networks. Generous pension scheme – we top up your contributions by 1.5 times.

Enhanced family benefits – 9 months’ full pay maternity leave and 2 weeks’ paternity leave. Cycle to Work Scheme – save up to 42 % on a bike and spread the cost. Electric Car Scheme – lease a brand new electric or plug‑in hybrid car.

Exclusive discounts from shopping to wellbeing via Northern Perks. Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more. Training and career development – tailored training and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications, with enhanced career pathways across the business.

Recognition – Northern Lights and Northern Sparks awards celebrate brilliance every day. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We are a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment. #J-18808-Ljbffr