Software Tester Contract Jobs in Bristol
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89 Contract jobs sorted by:
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Date Posted
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Updating results…
89 Contract jobs
Controls Engineer
Posted 1 day ago by Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, develop and modify PLC and HMI software using Siemens TIA Portal.Carry out Factory Acceptanc...
- Rate £60 per hour
- Category Outside
- Work type Onsite
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
Systems Verification Engineer - Bradley Stoke, Bristol (BS34), BS34 7QW
Posted 1 day ago by Guidant Global
What you'll be doingWorking within the certification team to capture and review evidence, run technical investigations,...
- Rate £70 per hour
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Bradley Stoke, Bristol (BS34), BS34 7QW
Systems Engineer - V&V Certification - Filton, Bristol (BS34), BS34 7QS
Posted 1 day ago by Certain Advantage
Job DescriptionWorld Class Defence Organisation based in Bristol is currently looking to recruit 2x Systems Engineer – V...
- Rate £70 per hour
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Filton, Bristol (BS34), BS34 7QS
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Sign UpSenior Data Warehouse Developer - UK
Posted 5 days ago by Gbs (Uk) Ltd
ROLE PURPOSEResponsible for design, development, and maintenance of cloud-based data warehousing and integration solutio...
- Rate £58,000 per year
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Undetermined
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
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About Our Software Tester Contract Roles in Bristol
What does a software tester contractor do?
Organisations bring in Software Tester contractors to plan, design, and execute testing activities that verify the quality and correctness of software before it is released to users. The work spans the full testing lifecycle: understanding requirements and developing test plans and test cases, executing manual functional and regression tests, logging and tracking defects through to resolution, contributing to test sign-off decisions, and supporting the development team in understanding and reproducing reported issues. Software Tester contractors are brought in to provide additional testing capacity during intensive release periods, to supplement development teams that lack dedicated testing resource, or to execute specific testing activities such as user acceptance testing on behalf of a business team.
Software Tester contractors are expected to bring systematic testing methodology alongside attention to detail and a thorough understanding of how to identify and articulate software defects clearly. Experience working with requirements or user stories to derive comprehensive test cases that cover both happy-path and edge-case scenarios is expected. Familiarity with defect tracking tools such as Jira, test management tools such as Zephyr, TestRail, or qTest, and the ability to write clear, reproducible defect reports that enable developers to diagnose and fix issues efficiently is broadly assumed. The market has shifted considerably towards automation, and Software Tester contractors who are solely focused on manual testing are at a competitive disadvantage relative to those who also bring test automation skills. ISTQB Foundation certification is well regarded as a baseline qualification marker, though practical experience across the testing lifecycle is weighted more heavily in the selection process.
What is the market like for software tester contractors?
The market for Software Tester contractors is a consistent and accessible market within the quality assurance discipline, most active during intensive delivery phases and release periods where testing capacity needs to scale temporarily. The shift towards DevOps and continuous testing has changed the nature of demand, with organisations increasingly seeking testers who can contribute to automated test suites rather than exclusively executing manual test cases. The market for purely manual software testing contractors has contracted relative to the shift towards automation, while the market for testers with automation skills has grown. Rates are at the lower end of the QA contracting spectrum for manual-only roles but improve significantly for testers who bring test automation experience and can code test scripts in Python, Java, or JavaScript.
What is the contracting market like in Bristol?
Aerospace, defence, and advanced engineering distinguish Bristol from other cities of comparable size. Major employers in the north fringe and surrounding area generate consistent requirements for systems engineering, safety-critical software, and security-cleared contractors, while the Temple Quarter and harbour area house a thriving technology and digital scene producing roles in product, design, data, and full stack development. Financial services and insurance employers add further breadth. This combination of engineering heritage and a vibrant digital economy gives the city unusual variety in its contracting opportunities. Defence and aerospace roles requiring security clearance command rates that rival the capital, while the broader technology and change market offers strong opportunity at a noticeably lower cost of living.
How much do software tester contractors usually earn in Bristol?
Contract rates for software tester roles in Bristol typically range from £300 to £600 per day, depending on the scope of the role, required expertise, and the delivery expectations of the engagement.
How many software tester vacancies in Bristol are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 200 software tester contract roles across the site, with Bristol showing consistent demand. Data reviewed up to June 2026.