Senior QA & Test Lead - IT/OT Network Transformation

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.

About the role:

We're supporting the delivery of a multi-year, multi-million-pound Network Separation Programme for one of the UK's leading utility providers. This major transformation spans both IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments, aiming to establish secure, autonomous platforms while maintaining critical infrastructure continuity.

We're looking for a Senior QA & Test Lead to shape and drive the Quality Assurance and Testing function across this complex, high-impact landscape. You'll play a pivotal role in delivering confidence ahead of go-live, ensuring full traceability between requirements, design, and validation, and embedding best practice test governance from the outset.

As the Senior QA & Test Lead, you will:

• Define and lead the Test Strategy, aligning with both functional and non-functional requirements across IT and OT domains
• Create and govern a Test Plan that supports traceability, risk mitigation, and readiness for system cutover
• Drive adoption of V-Model/W-Model principles to ensure robust alignment across requirements, design, and testing
• Collaborate with analysts, architects, engineers, and delivery leads to ensure smooth transition from planning to execution
• Lead test analysis, scripting, data preparation and prerequisite coordination
• Provide clear reporting on test progress, risks, and quality metrics to senior stakeholders

Requirements

• Extensive experience in leading Quality Assurance and Testing within complex programmes, ideally involving IT/OT integration, networked environments, or large-scale infrastructure transformations
• A deep understanding of V-Model/W-Model testing methodologies, with a strong focus on requirements, design, and testing traceability throughout the delivery lifecycle
• Proven ability to design and implement end-to-end test strategies and plans, particularly in regulated or safety-critical environments
• Strong awareness of non-functional testing needs, including performance, security, and operational readiness — especially relevant to networks and Operational Technology (OT) systems
• Exceptional communication skills, with confidence engaging across senior stakeholders, technical teams, and delivery partners
• Experience in highly regulated sectors such as utilities, energy, or Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) is highly desirable
• A proactive, detail-oriented mindset with the ability to balance governance with practical delivery

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can't promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more....

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don't tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we're looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.