Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist

A QA Specialist in this context is responsible for ensuring that software or products meet certain standards of quality before they are released. The role would likely involve working with development teams, designers, and other stakeholders to identify, document, and resolve issues.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Testing & Evaluation:
   • Conduct manual and automated tests to identify software defects.
   • Review software requirements and specifications to create test plans and test cases.
   • Perform regression testing after fixes and updates.
2. Documentation:
   • Maintain thorough documentation of testing processes, results, and issues found.
   • Create and update bug reports, tracking their resolution.
3. Collaboration:
   • Work with developers to reproduce and understand defects.
   • Assist in defining and improving testing procedures and workflows.
   • Collaborate with other teams (e.g., DevOps, product management) for continuous improvements.
4. Process Improvement:
   • Ensure the quality assurance process is followed during the entire product lifecycle.
   • Suggest improvements based on test outcomes and best practices.
5. Automation (if applicable):
   • Develop and maintain automated testing scripts if the company requires it.
   • Familiarity with tools such as Selenium, TestNG, or other QA automation tools.
6. Bug Identification & Tracking:
   • Identify, record, and prioritize bugs based on severity.
   • Use bug tracking tools (Jira, Bugzilla, etc.) to manage issues.

Skills Required:

• Experience:
  • 3+ years of QA experience in a relevant industry.
  • Previous experience with web or mobile testing.
• Testing Tools:
  • Proficiency with manual testing and familiarity with automated testing tools (Selenium, JUnit, etc.).
  • Familiarity with load testing, performance testing, and security testing tools.
• Technical Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of software development and testing life cycle (SDLC).
  • Basic knowledge of programming or scripting languages, such as JavaScript, Python, or SQL.
• Soft Skills:
  • Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.
  • Strong communication skills to report issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to work independently in a remote setting.

Benefits of the Role:

• Remote Work: Work from anywhere in the U.S.
• Flexibility: Often flexible working hours, especially for remote positions.
• Opportunities for Growth: With 3 years of experience, you would likely be on a trajectory to take on more responsibilities, such as leading QA efforts, mentoring juniors, or taking a more strategic role in process improvement.

Potential Tools and Software:

• Bug Tracking & Test Management Tools: Jira, TestRail, Zephyr, Bugzilla.
• Automation Tools: Selenium, QTP, Postman (for API testing), Jenkins for continuous integration.
• Version Control Systems: Git, SVN.