Senior QA and Production Support Manager

Job Description

About the role

The position is located within the IQSS (Institute for Quantitative Social Science) at Harvard University, part of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The role involves designing, planning, and implementing software and data services that support and enrich research productivity and reliability. This includes developing software and data services with researchers to ensure reproducibility standards are met.

Responsibilities

• Manage QA processes, programs, and policies for several products at IQSS, including Dataverse and other projects.
• Support the Harvard Dataverse by providing advice, answering questions, and troubleshooting system issues.
• Identify and assess potential risks, ensuring compliance and recommending changes for each product.
• Conduct functional and performance testing, independently identify and triage issues, and report them to development teams.
• Support deployment engineering tasks, including building and deploying to the test environment and preparing release deliverables.
• Review, design, and implement quality standards and ensure their execution throughout the solution implementation process.
• Perform manual and visual quality assurance tests, execute database queries for stress testing, and continuously review new and existing development work.
• Respond to and investigate production service issues, collaborate with development teams, and work with Library Technical Services to mitigate issues related to Harvard Dataverse installation.
• Research and implement better diagnostic and monitoring tools.
• Advise technical support on complex issues and write documentation explaining QA practices and guidelines for specific products.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
• Bachelor in Computer Science or related technical degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years working in QA, achieving senior level responsibility preferred.
• Experience working with build environments such as Github, Jenkins.
• Working familiarity with modern web application stacks and frameworks.
• Working knowledge of at least one programming language and IDE and associated debugging tools.
• Understanding of how programs use system resources, including memory.
• Knowledge of a scripting language.
• Basic Unix skills, including admin skills.
• Working knowledge of databases, including SQL, basic database design.
• Understanding of basic performance testing concepts.
• Experience working as a performance engineer or significant experience conducting performance tests preferred, as well as experience implementing test automation preferred.
• Experience with Git and GitHub (including GitHub Actions).
• Familiarity with Unix-based operating systems (Rocky Linux, macOS).
• Ability to use Chrome DevTools or similar browser debugging tools.
• Understanding of web application architecture and REST APIs.
• Basic scripting skills (bash, Python, or JavaScript).
• Familiarity with automated testing tools (Cypress preferred).
• Ability to identify points of failure and troubleshoot issues.
• Basic understanding of React or modern front-end frameworks.
• Experience running or maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
• Exposure to load/performance testing tools (e.g., JMeter).
• Comfort working with logs, servers, and multi-environment setups.

Additional Information

Appointment End Date: One-year term (from date of hire)

Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Criminal Other Information: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

IQSS sits in the Division of Social Science of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). The Division of Social Science is strongly committed to creating and supporting a diverse workforce. Respect and fairness, kindness and collegiality, and trust and transparency are among the values we espouse and promote in our workplace culture. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive and positive environment where everyone does their best work in support of Harvard’s mission.

Work Format Details: This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.

Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges: This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits: Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: Generous paid time off including parental leave Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one Retirement plans with university contributions Wellbeing and mental health resources Support for families and caregivers Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement: Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.