Software Tester Contract Jobs in Manchester
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QA Test Analyst - Core Banking - IBIS - International Bank
Posted 2 days ago by Rothstein Recruitment Ltd
Excellent opportunity to join an International Bank as a QA Test Analyst, responsible for driving multi-stage testing of...
- Rate £575 per day
- Category Inside
- Work type Undetermined
- Location Manchester, UK
DV Cleared Software Developers
Posted 3 days ago by Flint UK Technology Services
The role of DV Cleared Software Developer involves joining a global technology organization to design, build, and operat...
- Rate £550 per day
- Category Inside
- Work type Undetermined
- Location Manchester or London or Cheltenham , UK
Project Coordinator - UK
Posted 4 days ago by 83zero Limited
The role of Project Coordinator / Project Controller involves supporting the delivery of large-scale cyber security proj...
- Rate £301 per day
- Category Outside
- Work type Remote
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
ServiceNow Developer - Remote - UK
Posted 4 days ago by Stealth IT Consulting Limited
The ServiceNow Developer role involves providing senior development expertise to optimize the ServiceNow instance and fa...
- Rate £550 per day
- Category Inside
- Work type Remote
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
Lead Observability & Data Architect/Engineer (SC/DV Cleared)
Posted 5 days ago by GIOS Technology Limited
The role of Lead Observability & Data Architect/Engineer (SC/DV Cleared) involves designing and scaling critical monitor...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Hybrid - London/Reading/Birmingham/Manchester/Glasgow/Liverpool/Newcastle , UK
Candidate Engagement Manager - 12 Month Fixed-term Contract
Posted 5 days ago by EY
The Candidate Experience & Engagement Manager at EY is responsible for leading the strategic design and delivery of a te...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
AI Innovation Director (Future Civil Service) - Cabinet Office - SCS2
Posted 5 days ago by Manchester Digital
The AI and Innovation Director for the Future Civil Service will lead the transformation of the Civil Service by integra...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Undetermined
- Location Manchester, England, United Kingdom
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About Our Software Tester Contract Roles in Manchester
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 Manchester?
Manchester has established itself as the strongest contractor hub outside London, supported by a diverse economy spanning financial services, technology, media, and the public sector. MediaCityUK at Salford Quays anchors a cluster of digital, creative, and broadcasting employers, while Spinningfields and the wider city centre house the financial and professional services concentration. Several major insurers and banks run significant operations from Manchester, and the technology sector has matured considerably, with both established firms and scale-ups competing for software engineering, cloud, and data contractors. The rate gap with London has narrowed over the past few years as employer competition for experienced contractors in the city has intensified, and for many disciplines Manchester now offers comparable depth of opportunity at a materially lower cost base.
How much do software tester contractors usually earn in Manchester?
Contract rates for software tester roles in Manchester 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 Manchester are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 200 software tester contract roles across the site, with Manchester accounting for a significant portion. Data reviewed up to June 2026.