Belcan
Test Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Test Manager
Location: Portsmouth (Minimum 60% onsite)
Contract: 12 month contract
Rate: £44.85 per hour PAYE / £60 per hour Umbrella
Hours: 37 hours per week (4.5 days, flexible working between 7am–7pm)
IR35: Inside IR35
Clearance: BPSS+ required to start and candidates must be eligible to obtain SC Clearance.
The Opportunity
Our client is seeking an experienced Test Manager to lead the Test & Verification (T&V) activities on complex and high-profile programmes within the Defence and Space sector. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in defining test strategies, leading verification activities, and ensuring systems meet demanding customer and contractual requirements.
The successful Test Manager will be responsible for defining the overall testing approach, producing bid and project test artefacts, and leading teams to deliver testing and verification activities to agreed quality, cost, and schedule targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the overall test strategy and verification approach across assigned projects.
- Develop and manage Test & Verification plans and strategies that minimise project risk and validate technical solutions as early and cost-effectively as possible.
- Define and oversee Integration, Verification and Validation (IVV) activities across complex systems and environments.
- Ensure all testing activities comply with project requirements, customer expectations, and business processes.
- Manage verification status against requirements through a Verification Cross Reference Index (VCRI).
- Oversee defect management processes related to testing and verification activities.
- Verify and validate project deliverables using appropriate tools, techniques, and industry standards.
- Ensure subcontractor deliverables fully satisfy contracted requirements.
- Support the creation and utilisation of System Reference Models and test environments.
- Demonstrate system compliance and performance against contractual requirements.
- Mentor and support other engineers, promoting best practice and continuous improvement within the engineering function.
- Ensure delivery of test activities to agreed cost, schedule, and quality objectives.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Essential Experience


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- Significant experience in Test Management, Verification, and Validation within complex engineering environments.
- Proven ability to define and execute test strategies across large-scale programmes.
- Experience managing test teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of defect management, requirements verification, and end-to-end testing processes.
- Ability to produce high-quality test documentation, plans, and verification artefacts.
- Experience working within highly regulated or safety-critical industries.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Degree qualified in an Engineering or Scientific discipline.
- Advanced ISTQB qualification or equivalent formal testing certification.
- Project Management qualification such as PRINCE2 Practitioner.
- Experience with project planning tools and methodologies.
- Background within the Defence, Space, Satellite Communications, or Aerospace sectors.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills