Job Description

Location: Leeds

Key Responsibilities

As a Performance Test Engineer at the Bank of England, you will have the opportunity to work on critical applications that drive our country's financial systems! Your primary responsibilities will include:


Conducting Performance, Volume, and Load testing of essential applications using tools like JMeter and LoadRunner. Performing Functional, API, and Security testing using existing automation frameworks. Crafting and implementing performance test scenarios to identify areas of improvement and bottlenecks. Analysing test results, identifying performance issues, and providing optimisation recommendations. Collaborating with developers, engineers, and system architects to implement performance improvements. Detailing and tracking defects, collaborating closely with the Senior Test Manager and product teams for timely bug fixes. Contributing to the Performance Test Strategy and defining process improvements.

Skills / Experience

Minimum Criteria

We seek candidates who possess the following skills and experience:


Demonstrable experience in performance testing, including volume and load testing. Proven history as a Performance Test Engineer with successful optimisations. Proficiency in performance testing tools such as JMeter, LoadRunner, Eggplant Performance, or Gatling. Experience in API, security, and UI test scripts using automation frameworks. Strong knowledge of performance testing methodologies, tools, and techniques. Experience with Tableau queries, ELK monitoring, API performance testing, and crafting payment loads for ISO messages. Familiarity with Kafka, IBM MQ, and ACE. Expertise in performance monitoring tools and languages like Java, C#, Python, .Net. Broad knowledge of technologies such as XBRL, HTML, VB, .NET, XML, Java, Web Services, SOA, SOAP, Unix/Linux, SAP, Oracle, SQL, and SharePoint. Solid grasp of Oracle Database architecture and JVM tuning.

Essential Criteria

Candidates with the following experience will have an added advantage:


Ability to address complex performance issues effectively. Confident in learning and integrating complex business processes. Strong ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams including DevOps engineers, collaborators, customers, and partners. Data bricks, ADF, and fabric. Oracle ERP solutions like HR, ORC. Exposure to gen AI. Participation in broader activities such as roadshows and hackathons, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Desirable Criteria

We value candidates who have achieved the following:


Degree or equivalent experience in Information Technology, Computer Science, or other related fields. ISTQB / ISQI / ISEB Foundation level qualification.
This role offers an exceptional opportunity to work with a world-class team on ambitious projects that are critical to the nation's financial stability. Join us in delivering an outstanding performance testing strategy that will determine the success of our future innovations!

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.


At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it's by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we'll continue to make the best decisions for the public.


We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.


For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.


Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme . If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.


We offer a salary as follows:


Leeds circa 47,920- 53,910


In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:


Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time. A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool. An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits. 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits. Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice .


The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully.

All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It's therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.


This role closes on 5 June 2025.

The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages.

Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.