Automation QA Test Analyst SFIA 4

Automation Quality Assurance & Test Analyst (SFIA Level 4) Location: Remote with Ad hoc travel for meetings Clearance: BPSS or eligible Contract length: 3 month rolling SOWs Rate: £430 per day inside IR35 Overview We are seeking an experienced Automation Quality Assurance & Test Analyst (SFIA Level 4) to support delivery within a major HMRC programme. The successful candidate will bring strong testing expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills, alongside a solid understanding of government delivery practices and quality assurance principles. This role will play a key part in ensuring the quality, reliability, and successful delivery of services through robust test planning, execution, defect management, and collaboration across Agile delivery teams. Candidates with previous CESA Futures experience will be particularly well suited to this position, as they will have an established understanding of the service landscape, associated business processes, and delivery challenges, enabling them to contribute effectively from day one. Key Responsibilities Execute functional, system, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing activities. Develop, maintain, and execute test cases, test scripts, and test scenarios aligned to business and technical requirements. Identify, document, track, and manage defects through to resolution using recognised defect management processes. Work closely with Business Analysts, Developers, Product Owners, Delivery Managers, and stakeholders to ensure quality standards are met. Support quality assurance activities across the software development lifecycle. Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and backlog refinement. Provide testing progress updates, quality metrics, and risk assessments to project stakeholders. Ensure testing artefacts and evidence are maintained in line with HMRC governance and delivery standards. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across testing and quality assurance practices. Essential Skills & Experience Demonstrable experience operating as a Quality Assurance & Test Analyst at SFIA Level 4. Previous experience working within HMRC environments. Strong experience in automation and manual testing, test execution, and defect management. Experience working within Agile delivery teams. Proficiency using Jira and associated test management tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail. Effective stakeholder communication and collaboration skills. BPSS clearance or eligibility to successfully obtain BPSS clearance. Highly Desirable Experience Previous experience supporting the CESA Futures programme. Experience working within HMRC ITSD programmes. Knowledge of HMRC Self Assessment services and associated platforms. Experience working within complex, multi-supplier government delivery environments. Understanding of public sector governance and delivery frameworks