Senior Test & Trials Consultant

Location: Hampshire (Onsite)
Duration: 18 Months
Clearance: DV Clearance required (Active)

Rate: £530 to £570 per day - Outside IR35

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Test & Trials Consultant to provide specialist oversight and assurance across a highly secure government IT infrastructure programme.

This role will focus on shaping, governing, and assuring test and trial activity, ensuring that infrastructure capabilities are validated, risks are identified early, and delivery remains aligned to operational requirements.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted adviser to programme leadership, providing independent challenge, structured guidance, and leadership across complex test environments.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight and assurance of Test & Trials activity across the programme
Review and shape Test & Trials Strategies, Plans, and governance frameworks
Advise programme leadership on test readiness, risks, and delivery confidence
Provide independent challenge to ensure robust validation and assurance practices
Support planning and execution of system integration, acceptance, and operational trials
Engage with engineering, cyber, and operational stakeholders to ensure coordinated test delivery
Produce high-level assurance reporting and readiness assessments
Identify delivery risks and recommend mitigation strategies
Support transition into service and operational acceptance activities

Essential Skills & Experience

Active DV Clearance (mandatory)
Strong experience delivering Test & Trials consultancy or leadership within secure government or defence environments
Demonstrable experience shaping test governance, strategy, and assurance frameworks
Background working on secure IT infrastructure or complex systems programmes
Experience advising senior stakeholders on test readiness and delivery risk
Strong understanding of integration, system, and operational testing principles
Ability to operate effectively within highly controlled, security-sensitive environments

Desirable Experience

Experience supporting MOD, Defence, or National Security programmes
Familiarity with secure networks or infrastructure-based delivery environments
Experience providing independent assurance or programme-level consultancy
Knowledge of structured delivery methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, ITIL, Agile)