Quality Assurance Analyst (Software)

About the role

The Quality Assurance Analyst (Software) provides ongoing testing and validation activity for enterprise systems and rider/transit-oriented applications supported at the MBTA. This includes continuous test improvement and feedback to resolve issues and help software projects meet customer and stakeholder demands by delivering properly performing/functional products in a timely manner to meet business needs. The role contributes to overall product reliability, operational readiness, and continuous quality improvement across MBTA applications.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality assurance (QA) process and procedures for testing and validation of MBTA enterprise and transportation-oriented applications, services, and related projects.
• Develop and create QA documentation including test plans, scripts, and procedures, and execute test cases to ensure quality and functionality meet the business and quality standards.
• Execute test cases, log defects, facilitate defect management with required supporting documentation and analysis of test results.
• Interact with multiple project stakeholders as well as internal and vendor teams to plan, strategize, and execute test projects.
• Implement necessary solutions and adjustments to maintain test project progress and execution.
• Create software quality assurance (SQA) reports and maintain QA Test Dashboard to update internal and project-facing teams.
• Ensure delivery supporting QA department goals and objectives, including meeting commitments and coordinating overall quality assurance schedule.
• Anticipate program release problems and take corrective action, escalating as needed, to resolve and achieve commitments. Ensure the viability, functionality, and effectiveness of essential tools.
• Contribute to production implementation plans for production deployment checkout and verification procedures.
• Implement ongoing quality improvement processes working with interdepartmental teams.
• Maintain product consistency throughout product cycle across design, build, and deployment phases through quality checkpoints and testing.
• Develop and manage quality assurance metrics for performance improvement of all teams.
• Provide support with production issues and assist with resolutions as needed.
• Participate in issue and project-related Root Cause Analysis and Retrospectives.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or related fields.
• Two (2) years of experience in software testing, application programming or analysis, including design, development, implementation, and administration/support.
• Knowledge of standard PC applications including the Microsoft Office Suite, email, and calendar management.
• Knowledge and understanding of application infrastructure and components required for supporting Web and Mobile applications, as well as systems and interactions for Enterprise applications.
• Must have an even disposition and be able to deal effectively and professionally with people from various backgrounds and across a variety of situations, especially during critical path project activity.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment.
• Capable of working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Desire to achieve excellence in customer satisfaction, process, product quality, and reliability.
• Effective organizational, analytical, time management, and documentation skills with attention to detail.
• Experience writing technical documents such as plans, procedures, and scripts.
• Excellent problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and task management skills.
• Ability to work under limited supervision on diverse scope with skill to resolve issues in creative ways.
• Capable of acquiring knowledge, understanding of multiple applications, and supporting technology.

Substitutions:

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Skills

• Six (6) years of experience in software testing, application programming, or analysis, including design, development, implementation, and application support.
• Experience working with multiple platforms, interfaces, and applications unique in the transportation industry such as AFC systems, mobile applications, HASTUS, Oracle FMIS/HRCMS, and internally developed applications.
• Ability to develop subject matter expertise (SME) across diverse applications and functional areas.
• Strong judgment in selecting effective testing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.
• Knowledgeable of data security principles and risk management.
• Experience leading or coordinating QA project activities and contributing to project plans.
• Demonstrated skill in building test strategies, test plans, reports, and executing manual tests, and experience with test automation and load/performance testing tools.
• Knowledge of SDLCs (Software Development Lifecycle) frameworks and software methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Iterative).
• Ability to independently execute test initiatives, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable adapting quickly to new software applications and changing client requirements.
• Experience working with geographically distributed teams.
• Experience with ServiceNow or similar ticketing/service management systems.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship/co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team.
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and/or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and/or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position.
• Intern/co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship/co-op. Additionally, interns/co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings/pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.