Test Manager

Cabot Communications develops embedded software for the consumer electronics end of the Digital TV industry. We are successful, and busy, and are growing rapidly in this exciting area of technology. We are looking for a Test Manager to lead our skilled software test team as well as developing our internal test offering to the external market place. The Test Manager reports directly to the Managing Director and collaborates closely with internal customers: the engineering team and sales and marketing functions as well as collaborating with external customers: 3rd party providers, industry groups and clients.

 

Test Team

The test team consists of 6 test engineers located in Bristol. The Test Manager is based in Bristol but is expected to travel for up to 25% of their time within the UK and overseas to attend networking/industry events, support Sales activities and liaise with 3rd party organisations.

The key test role of the Test Manager is to ensure quality throughout Cabot products and services through continuous improvement.

The Test Manager is expected to pro-actively provide strategic input and long term planning recommendations as well as to develop new processes and procedures to support these internal, external, development and research activities.

The Test Manager controls the budget for all test equipment and consumables.

 

Test Team Management

The Test Manager is responsible for line management of the staff in the test team. The test team is structured as 5 Test Engineers and 1 Test Team Lead. Close collaboration with the Test Team Lead will facilitate resource planning.

  • Management and allocation of test resources.
  • Staff training and development.
  • Objective setting and review.
  • Performance and salary reviews.
  • Recruitment.
  • Make recommendations as necessary and oversee the operation of any 3rd party test operations.

 

Test Process Improvement

The test team has a reputation for continuous improvement and innovation and the Test Manager must maintain the momentum in these areas.

  • Actively collaborate with industry bodies in order to understand future direction/requirements and strategically align accordingly
  • Research and introduce new ideas, techniques and tools.
  • Raise the profile of the test team and test processes within the company and communicate improvements.
  • Improve test coverage by analysis of specifications and defects, and maintain and develop the test suite database.
  • Ensure that all test suites and tools are properly documented and version controlled.
  • Actively contribute to the development of engineering processes.

 

Project Testing

The test team plans and performs tailored testing of multiple projects on multiple platforms, for both internal product development projects and customer projects. The Test Manager is responsible for all activities related to internal project support, regression testing and customer support, The test team remit is to expand to include provision of an external compliance support and testing service.

  • Project test planning and prioritisation.
  • Test execution and defect reporting and investigation.
  • Generating test reports.
  • Review of project testing at project completion and continuous improvement.

 

Automated Testing

Due to the unique requirements of our products we have developed our own tools to perform automated testing. The Test Manager is responsible for maintaining and developing these tools. The automated test tool is being developed as a marketable product and the Test Manager will take a leading role in progressing and managing this service.

  • Maintain existing, and develop new, automated system testing capabilities.
  • Develop test harnesses and create performance and stability test utilities.
  • Create reporting and tracking tools to support the test, engineering and project management processes.
  • Communicate and roll out test system improvements across all projects.
  • Facilitate external users in pre-conformance testing.
  • Ensure continuous improvement of the automated testing tool.

 

Test System Infrastructure

The test team is responsible for administration of the defect tracking system in conjunction with IT. The Test Manager will oversee the management and improvements to the system and provide appropriate support as necessary.

The test team is responsible for the RF distribution system that is used by the test and engineering teams, for maintaining a library of transport streams and providing expertise on stream analysis and authoring. The Test Manager is responsible for overseeing the management and budget of these activities.

 

Required Skills

  • Self motivated and innovative with drive and ambition.
  • Strong leadership and people management ability.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Strong background and understanding of the Product Development Lifecycle, with focus on Testing Methodology.
  • Proven skills in system, regression, performance, conformance and acceptance testing.
  • Experience in architecting, designing, coding and enhancing automated test suites.
  • Knowledge of building and coordinating a testing strategy.
  • Experience of estimating, planning and prioritising work and resources.
  • Ability to interact with all levels within the business and with remote teams.
  • Ability to work within a team.
  • Confident in networking and building relationships in an external environment.
  • Confident in presenting complex issues to audiences of differing knowledge and seniority levels.
  • Ability to understand and communicate new technologies
  • A pro-active approach

 

 Preferred Skills/Qualifications

  • BSc/MSc degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Knowledge of scripting tools including Python, Perl, VBScript, or previous programming experience.
  • DVB experience.  
  • ISEB qualified  

 

Career progression

This role offers the correct candidate the opportunity to develop in line with the growth of the organization. Opportunities exist for proactive individuals with new ideas and a progressive attitude.

 

Benefits Package

  • Negotiable salary
  • Annual bonus (discretionary and subject to qualifying profit realization of the organization)
  • Matched pension contribution up to 6% of salary (after qualifying period) with salary sacrifice option available
  • Entirely free private healthcare for employee and dependants (after qualifying period)  
  • Holiday from 20-25 days (minimum of 23 after one year of employment)
  • Buy/sell up to 5 days holidays arrangement  
  • Training budget available
  • Flexible working hours (core hours 10-4)
  • Salary sacrifice childcare voucher scheme
  • Salary sacrifice cycle purchase scheme
  • Car parking  
  • Death in Service: 4 x Salary
  • Social Events Team and budget