Automation Test Engineer

Responsible for the implementation of a complex or large quality assurance (QA) program in support of products and services. Establishes software quality standards for life cycle, documentation, development methods, testing and maintenance. Creates test plans and scripts and conceives of testing strategy on large or complex program. Participates and provides recommendations on requirements and design. Specifies functional and non-functional software testing requirements. Conducts and/or oversees CMMI PQA audits. Prepares test metrics and Interim Project Reviews (IPR).

• Partners with the business, product, and development teams, serving as a senior QA resource, through all aspects of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including business requirements, functional specifications, integration, and regression testing using current testing methodologies and tools.
• Provides high level of functionality, usability, and testability expertise during requirements phase. Implements efficient and effective test plans for new systems, problems, and/or enhancements.
• Participates and provides feedback in requirements, design, and interface specification review to ensure product testability.
• Creates the master test plan for multiple projects, including the testing strategy, testing approach, and test schedules.
• Writes, maintains, and executes automated test scripts when applicable.
• Analyzes and dissects complex system requirements and technical specifications to create and execute test cases. Conducts software tests and diagnostics of a complex nature.
• Plans, documents, evaluates, and tracks testing results to ensure system applications are free from defects.
• Leads walk-through, inspection, review and user group meetings for quality assurance.
• Participates in production implementation verification and is accountable for validating system quality.
• Leads the evaluation of products and services for adherence to government directives, standards and guidelines concerning quality assurance.
• Works with project teams to establish quantitative measurements
• and techniques for measuring software quality.
• Leads test case reviews, designs reviews, and changes control activities. Documents and reports issues discovered during testing, and oversees the resolution. Creates and implements policies and procedures to track test case reviews.
• Enters defects into defect tracking tool and manages/reviews defects entered by junior team members for accuracy and completeness.
• Supports QA standardization across the company.
• Identifies and recommends QA training courses and certifications.
• Coordinates with other QA leads on company projects.
• Conducts QA reviews and inspections to find potential defects and recommend corrective action, often assisting more junior staff identify defects in more challenging situations.
• Create any testing related Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to provide clarity for new or modified procedures
• Regularly communicates with Managers any changes, personnel issues or any other impediments that may impact quality of testing processes or deliverables

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field of study; Master's degree preferred.
• Certified Tester -- Advanced Level (TTA, TA, and/or TM) desired
• 8-15 years professional software testing experience including test automation and/or infrastructure development, test planning, test case design, test methodologies.
• Experience collaborating with developers, end users and organizations to create test plans and test scripts. 
• Experience with configuring necessary hardware and operating environments as needed to complete assigned testing. 
• Experience in writing or assisting in the development of test plans and test procedures. 

Other Job Specific Skills

• Advanced knowledge of CMMI Level II/III, IEEE or other software development standards, SDLC Methodologies, and automation frameworks and test tools, including defect tracking.
• Demonstrated experience in customer support and working in a government customer environment.
• Multitasking expertise, with the ability to work concurrently on several projects with specific instructions that may differ from project to project.
• Ability to create automated test scripts and test software for iterative and incremental software development efforts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work across multiple disciplines.
• Knowledge of various programming languages
• Proficiency with databases and writing complex SQL queries
• Ability to transfer knowledge and translate technical concepts to non-technical resources and coworkers.
• A high level of initiative with the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Advanced experience using integrated test management tools for defect tracking, test cases and requirements traceability.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Must be a team player.
• Strong knowledge of QA automation frameworks and test suites for UI and non-UI based applications.