Functional Test Lead

Sepura plc.; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications firm in the UK is seeking a Functional Test Lead to drive the quality of software deliverables within multiple scrum teams. This hands-on role involves mentoring engineers, performing functional testing, and collaborating closely with developers to ensure high-quality products. Candidates must have extensive experience in Agile environments and a strong foundation in automated testing (Python/C#). A degree in a relevant field is essential, along with stellar communication and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in functional testing in Agile environments.
• Ability to mentor and guide other testers effectively.
• Solid understanding of functional test design techniques.

Responsibilities

• Drive quality of software deliverables within multiple scrum teams.
• Perform exploratory testing and analyze logs.
• Mentor and guide functional test engineers.

Skills

Hands-on functional testing experience

Agile/Scrum methodologies

Automated testing (Python/C#)

Log analysis and defect investigation

Leadership and mentorship

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, Electronics, or Telecommunications

Tools

Jira

Test management tools

Git-based version control

Job description

The Functional Test Lead is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for driving the quality of software deliverables within multiple scrum teams.

Hands‑On Responsibilities

• Act as an embedded tester within a software scrum team, performing day‑to‑day functional testing.
• Review user stories, acceptance criteria, and specifications to ensure clarity and testability.
• Design detailed functional test cases and execute them during the sprint.
• Perform exploratory testing to uncover edge cases, usability gaps, and unexpected behaviours.
• Analyse logs, isolate issues, and collaborate with developers to reproduce and resolve defects.
• Contribute to sprint automation by developing and maintaining automated checks for high‑value scenarios.
• Provide input to CI pipelines by supplying test cases, data sets, and automated scripts.
• Track and report test outcomes, readiness, risks, and defects for your scrum team.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Mentor, coach, and guide functional test engineers across multiple scrum teams.
• Set and maintain functional testing standards, ensuring consistent and high‑quality practices.
• Coordinate and allocate testing resources across multiple scrum teams to balance workload.
• Align functional testing strategy with overall product roadmap and business priorities.
• Contribute to release planning, risk assessment, and feature readiness evaluation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for functional testing across scrum teams.
• Communicate testing progress, risks, and issues to Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and senior management.
• Drive adoption of best practices across teams, including test design, reporting, and defect management.
• Support engineers through pair‑testing, technical guidance, and hands‑on problem solving.
• Drive a culture of quality, early prevention, and continuous improvement within the teams.
• Participate in and encourage team involvement in Agile ceremonies (planning, refinement, retro, etc.).
• Review and improve test artefacts (test cases, results, documentation, coverage).
• Identify skill gaps, training needs, and improvement areas within the functional test group.
• Act as the functional quality gate before features move to system and full regression test stages.

What You Need To Succeed

Qualifications & Certifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, Electronics, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• ISTQB certification (preferred but not mandatory).

This role involves some travelling, so the successful applicant will have a full, clean driving licence, own car, and valid passport. Travel expenses will be paid.

This role may require Security Clearance in the future.

Experience

Must‑have

• Strong hands‑on experience performing functional testing within Agile/Scrum teams.
• Ability to take full ownership of functional product quality and act as a modern “quality gate”.
• Experience interpreting requirements, shaping acceptance criteria, and driving clarity before development begins.
• Solid understanding of functional test design techniques (boundary, equivalence, state‑based, risk‑based).
• Confident in log analysis, defect investigation, and working closely with developers.
• Proven experience testing complex software systems (embedded, telecom, networking, or similar).
• Ability to write and extend automated functional tests (Python / C#).
• Experience guiding, coaching, or supporting other testers, even without direct line management.
• Experience balancing hands‑on testing with team leadership.

Nice‑to‑have

• Experience testing telecom protocols, embedded software, or RF‑based devices.
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI, DevOps).
• Experience with performance, soak, or reliability testing (not essential).

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of functional testing techniques and test strategy design.
• Ability to write maintainable automated scripts for sprint‑level checks (Python/C#).
• Experience using Jira, test management tools, and Git‑based version control.
• Ability to analyse logs, debug issues, and collaborate with developers effectively.
• Understanding of API testing, mocking, stubbing, and test data design.
• Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and integrating functional tests into automation pipelines.

Personal Attributes

• Strong communicator able to explain technical issues clearly to developers, POs, and stakeholders.
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to prioritise effectively.
• Confident decision‑maker who takes ownership of quality outcomes.
• A collaborative, supportive leader who motivates and develops others.
• Passionate about quality, continuous improvement, and high‑performing Agile teams.
• Adaptable and able to respond to changing priorities and evolving product needs.