Test Lead

Job Title: Test Lead

Department:
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)

Location:
Canberra, ACT (Hybrid)

Security Clearance:
Must hold or be able to obtain
NV1 (Negative Vetting Level 1)

Start Date:
17 November 2025

Initial Contract Duration:
To 30 June 2026

Extensions:
Up to 2 x 12-month terms

Hours:
Up to 40 hours per week

Classification:
APS6 Equivalent

Overview

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) is seeking two experienced
Test Leads
to support the delivery of a range of ICT projects. The successful candidates will play a key role in ensuring software quality, data integrity, and test excellence across multiple Agile delivery squads.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing test strategies, leading automation initiatives, and overseeing the defect management process across the full software development lifecycle. The role also involves mentoring testing teams and engaging with project, technical, and executive stakeholders to drive continuous quality improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Defect Management and Triage

• Manage the full defect lifecycle from identification to closure across Agile squads.
• Lead daily defect triage sessions, ensuring prioritisation and resolution in line with delivery goals.
• Analyse defect data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for quality improvement.
• Maintain consistent severity classifications aligned with established risk models.

Cross-Squad Coordination

• Act as the central point of contact for defect communication across up to 10 Agile squads.
• Collaborate with Release Managers and Delivery Leads to validate and track defect fixes.
• Participate in Go/No-Go discussions to inform release readiness and risk mitigation.

Tooling and Reporting

• Use
  Azure DevOps
  (or equivalent) to manage test and defect workflows.
• Maintain traceability between defects, test cases, and user stories.
• Generate weekly test and defect reports, highlighting key performance indicators and quality metrics.

Leadership and Governance

• Champion a "fix it right the first time" approach within teams.
• Provide guidance on defect prevention and test improvement practices.
• Mentor and support junior QA and test analysts in test management and automation practices.
• Foster a collaborative, quality-first culture within the delivery environment.

Essential Criteria

1. Strong understanding of
   data quality principles
   and modern
   testing methodologies
   .
2. Minimum
   3 years' hands-on experience
   in analysing and testing data quality, identifying integration and functional anomalies, and validating data accuracy and completeness.
3. Proven understanding of
   defect metrics
   (severity, priority, fix rate, reopen rate) and their implications for delivery risk.
4. Experience across
   SIT, UAT, and production warranty cycles
   within large-scale digital transformation programs.
5. Demonstrated expertise in
   writing detailed test cases and scripts
   , and practical experience in configuring and using
   test automation tools
   .
6. Excellent
   stakeholder engagement and communication skills
   , with the ability to influence developers, business analysts, product owners, and senior executives.

7. Structured and analytical thinker with strong
   problem-solving skills
   and attention to detail.

8. Able to remain calm and decisive under pressure.

9. Committed to promoting a
   quality-first culture
   and accountability within delivery teams.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with automation frameworks such as
  Selenium
  ,
  Postman
  , or
  JUnit
  .
• Familiarity with
  Agile delivery environments
  and cross-functional teams.
• Exposure to large-scale government ICT projects or enterprise transformations.

Working Arrangements

This role offers a
hybrid working arrangement
, with a mix of on-site work in Canberra and remote flexibility as agreed with the delivery team.

Who are Local Peoples?

Local Peoples is a strategic research and design studio based in Melbourne and Canberra, specialising in policy, service, and product design and delivery.

Our mission is to co-design healthy, resilient, and resourceful communities. As a certified B-Corporation, we focus on social, environmental, and economic impact.

We create lasting value by co-designing, testing, and iterating on policies, services, products, and places to build a positive future for all Australians. We conduct independent research on education, policy co-design, and inclusive design, and use our community engagement expertise to build communities that improve lives and inclusion for those often left behind.

Our partners include state and local governments, social enterprises, universities, and large commercial organisations. We believe design research, thinking, and delivery can solve complex challenges and create positive change for people and the planet.

We produce
Matters Journal
, a publication and community of 100K+, which focuses on design-led social innovation and impact.

Why join Local Peoples?

• Representative and inclusive
• we are dedicated to building an inclusive and accessible workplace for people from diverse backgrounds
• Impact driven
• work towards achieving real impact for people and the environment
• Fantastic culture
• driven by a welcoming, supportive and collaborative team environment
• Professional support for design excellence
• benefit from being a part of one of Australia's fastest growing design and delivery communities
• Flexible working arrangements
• including the ability to work remotely
• Market rate salaries
• attractive remuneration packages in line with the market rate
• Flexible employment types
• including the preference for permanent, but will consider contracting