Test & Commissioning Assistant Manager

Role Overview : We are seeking a highly experienced and technically adept Test & Commissioning Assistant Manager to oversee the entire testing lifecycle for complex and multi-domain technology project. The successful candidate will lead test strategies, define test cases, orchestrate execution, and manage stakeholders across software, AI, infrastructure, and cybersecurity domains. Key Responsibilities. This is a hands-on leadership role for a manager who can coordinate complex multi-vendor testing, balance assurance with delivery pace, and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Define and maintain the overall test and commissioning strategy, master test plan, test schedule, entry/exit criteria, environments, governance and reporting cadence. Lead test planning and execution across system integration, user acceptance, operational readiness, performance, resilience, security and commissioning activities. Collaborate with internal technical leads and external customers to align on testing scope, test cases, and acceptance criteria. Facilitate workshops with internal team leads and customers to define requirements, testable acceptance criteria, operational scenarios, test cases and expected evidence. Orchestrate end-to-end test activities, ensuring projects meet performance, quality, and security benchmarks. Coordinate test resources, environments, data, tools, vendors and dependencies; manage risks, issues, defects, retesting and change impacts through to closure. Establish quality gates, traceability and sign-off packs; provide clear recommendations on readiness, residual risk and go/no-go decisions. Manage and coach test engineers and specialist partners, ensuring consistent methods, documentation quality and safety/security compliance. Present concise status, defect and risk reporting to programme leadership and customer stakeholders. Manage the reporting and resolution of defects while ensuring rigorous documentation throughout the commissioning phase. Technical Domains & Expertise 1. Software Testing: API testing, Cloud Application testing, Web Application testing, and End-User Scenario testing. 2. AI Testing: Proficiency in Large Language Model (LLM) testing, Machine Learning (ML) model validation, and Video Analytics testing. 3. Performance Testing: Load, stress, and reliability testing, specifically for Master SCADA / OT systems, Web Applications, and Azure Public Cloud environments. 4. Network & WAN Testing: Network Operations Center (NOC) testing, including Passive and Active ICT infrastructure testing. 5. IT Infrastructure Testing: Validation of IT system monitoring solutions and IT services deployment processes. 6. Cybersecurity Testing: Management of VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) across remote sites, on-premises infrastructure, cloud environments, and applications. This may involve evaluation and/or selection of third party vendors who may conduct the testing. It is expected for the test manager to coordinate and orchestrate with the various domain project managers to ensure test activities are aligned to schedule. Essential Qualifications and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology or a related discipline; equivalent practical experience considered. 8+ years of progressive experience in testing, quality assurance, systems integration or commissioning, including 3+ years leading complex test programmes or teams. Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end test strategy and execution across multiple technical domains, ideally in enterprise, public-sector, critical infrastructure, OT/SCADA or large-scale cloud environments. Strong experience in test management, defect management, requirements traceability, risk-based testing and stakeholder sign-off processes. Working knowledge of API, web, cloud, performance, network, infrastructure and cybersecurity testing practices; ability to lead specialists without needing to be the deepest hands-on expert in every domain. Experience working directly with customers, system integrators and third-party vendors in structured delivery programmes. Excellent written and verbal communication, workshop facilitation, prioritisation and decision-making skills. Preferred Experience and Certifications ISTQB Advanced Test Manager, ISEB, PMI, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum or equivalent delivery certification. Exposure to Azure testing and cloud-native observability; familiarity with CI/CD, test automation and tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, Postman, JMeter, LoadRunner, k6 or similar. Experience with AI/ML evaluation approaches, LLM risk controls, computer vision/video analytics, or responsible AI assurance. Experience in OT/SCADA, NOC operations, ICT infrastructure, security assurance, VAPT coordination or regulated/mission-critical environments. Relevant security certification or practical experience coordinating penetration testing and remediation (for example, CISSP, CISM, CEH or equivalent). What Success Looks Like A clear, risk-based and integrated test strategy is understood by delivery teams and the customer. Test activities are coordinated, evidence-driven and completed to plan, with transparent management of exceptions and dependencies. Defects, security findings and operational risks are prioritised, owned and resolved or explicitly accepted before service readiness. Customers and internal leaders receive credible readiness information that supports confident go-live and commissioning decisions.