Senior Test Analyst | Wellington or Auckland | Permanent
Date: 27 May 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Wellington or Auckland based permanent role
- Coach and mentor others while strengthening organisation-wide QA practices
- Play a key role in delivering safe, high‑quality systems that support New Zealanders
As a Senior Test Analyst, you will be responsible for the testing activities, artefacts and delivery outcomes within an agile environment, ensuring high-quality and reliable systems. The role involves owning testing activities, mentoring team members, and promoting consistent QA practices across teams. It also requires collaboration with stakeholders to support successful project delivery and continuous improvement in quality assurance.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.
Our Technology group provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.
We’re driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. The group is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As the Senior Test Analyst you will plan, coordinate and execute testing activities across the delivery lifecycle, ensuring solutions meet business expectations and quality standards.
You’ll also mentor others and contribute to the ongoing development of testing and QA capability across the organisation.
Key responsibilities:
- Facilitate the preparation, planning and execution of testing activities and test deliverables
- Ensure consistent application of MSD IST testing processes, methodologies and documentation standards
- Collect testing metrics and produce reports to monitor and improve application quality
- Perform and facilitate root cause analysis of defects, issues and faults, producing high‑quality defect reports
- Coordinate and support day‑to‑day testing activities, tracking progress and implementing corrective actions
- Collaborate with cross‑functional delivery team members to remove roadblocks and improve delivery outcomes
We’re committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.
Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- In‑depth understanding of different testing types and when to apply them across varying architectures
- Strong knowledge of the System Development Life Cycle and defect and release management
- Experience using testing and defect management tools, including automation or scripting tools
- Sound understanding of test analysis, preparation and execution techniques
Ability to coach, mentor and supervise other testing practitioners - Experience with specialist testing approaches such as integration, message layer, data warehousing or data migration testing
- Strong reporting skills, including the ability to track metrics and communicate testing outcomes clearly
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Test Analyst position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,846.00 - $125,998.00
A salary offer will be based on the preferred candidates skills and experience and our team relativities.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Thursday 4 June 2026.
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai:
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.
We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
