SQA - Sr. Quality Assurance Engineer

Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions is a premier implementer of cutting-edge software solutions. Synergy brings the experience and expertise necessary to deliver capability that provides tangible ROI to our customers. Our core areas of expertise are in the fields of Digital Transformation, Cloud Solutions, SaaS and Low-Code/No-Code Solutions, Emerging Technologies, Data Analytics and Visualization, Information Assurance, and Business Process Re-Engineering.

Synergy offers its employees a generous portfolio of core and voluntary benefits including: group medical, dental, and vision insurance, company paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k) with company match, PTO & Bonus Leave, 11 paid federal holidays, parental leave, tuition and training reimbursement, a referral bonus program, and well-being programs.

At Synergy, you’ll be challenged and given the opportunity to grow in your career path. In fact, growth is such a big deal to us that we have career mentors available for every employee, company-funded certification opportunities, education reimbursement, and a general open-door policy so that you have support when you need it. Our team is eager to learn, fast-paced, and quality-driven. If that sounds like you, Synergy has a position for you!

This position is designated as work-from-home.

About the Role:

• Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions, a leader in delivering cutting-edge software solutions, is seeking an experienced Senior Quality Assurance (QA) analyst to join our growing government client team. The Senior Quality Assurance Analyst serves as a technical leader within the QA practice, responsible for ensuring the functionality, stability, and quality of software products through comprehensive manual and automated testing. The role provides direct mentorship to junior team members and collaborates closely with cross functional teams to drive high quality product delivery.
• This role demands expertise in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), quality assurance standards, and a strong ability to analyze and develop test plans and cases for complex software applications. You will have the opportunity to apply your extensive experience to support client engagements, improve product quality assurance practices, and contribute to business development efforts. At Synergy, we offer a dynamic environment for growth, learning, and career advancement.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead Quality Assurance activities as an expert QA Analyst, providing technical leadership and guiding junior QA team members in best practices.
  
• Develop and execute manual and automated tests, including functional, system, regression, and integration testing for web applications. 
  
• Build detailed test plans and test cases derived from user stories and functional requirements.
  
• Review and provide guidance on automated repetitive tests to improve efficiency and coverage. 
  
• Offer input on automated scripts added to automation repositories.
  
• Contribute effectively during sprint planning, estimation, and scheduling. 
  
• Collaborate with multiple sprint teams to support shared deliverables. 
  
• Manage shifting priorities and scope changes within epics and work efforts.
  
• Work closely with software and product designers to define testing parameters, ensuring comprehensive test coverage and high quality delivery.
  
• Design and execute integration tests for complex systems, including RESTful APIs, SOAP APIs, and web services.
  
• Defect Management: Manage defects within corporate defect tracking systems and ensure efficient defect reporting and resolution.
  
• Maintain clear and concise documentation for test procedures, results, and reports. 
  
• Provide regular status updates to stakeholders and team members.
  
• Validate the successful deployment of software releases and ensure minimal issues in production.
  
• Provide ongoing mentorship and growth support to junior QA analysts in test methodologies and tools.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Manual & Automated Testing Expertise: Proven experience in both manual black-box testing and automated testing for web applications, APIs, and other integrated systems.
  
• Automated Test Scripting: Ability to review and execute scripts using tools like Selenium or FitNesse to improve testing efficiency and coverage.  Utilization of Python is a plus.
  
• Test Case Development: Strong ability to develop test cases based on user stories, ensuring comprehensive coverage of system functionality.
  
• SQL Proficiency: Expertise in executing and reading complex SQL queries to validate data and system behavior.
  
• Integration & API Testing: Experience in white-box testing of RESTful APIs, SOAP APIs, and web services.
  
• Test Management Tools: Familiarity with test management tools (e.g., Jira, Quality Center) to track test cases, defects, and test execution.
  
• SDLC & Agile Methodologies: Solid experience with various Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models and Agile methodologies, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of quality software.
  
• Analytical Skills: High-level analytical skills and a keen attention to detail, with the ability to think critically and troubleshoot complex issues.
  
• Automation Integration: Experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) for seamless, continuous testing.  Experience with GitLab is a plus.
  
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills for effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams and reporting on testing progress.
  
• Defect Tracking & Resolution: Proven experience managing and tracking defects, ensuring issues are addressed in a timely manner.
  
• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain a Security+ certification, if required, and undergo a background investigation for federal government positions.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical Skills: Experience with Linux, JBoss, Docker/OpenShift, and Appian.
  
• Cross-functional Teamwork: Ability to prioritize and coordinate test development activities, collaborating effectively with various teams, including development, production support, and incident resolution.
  
• Independent Troubleshooting: Experience troubleshooting both software and operating system-level installation/configuration issues.
  
• Leadership & Coaching: Ability to guide and support other QA team members, sharing knowledge and promoting best practices.
  

Education Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or Computer Engineering degree; or an Engineering degree from an accredited* institution.In accordance with DOD Cyber Workforce Qualifications Matrices Management, Security+ is required for candidates that do not possess a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or Computer Engineering degree; or a degree in Engineering from an accredited* institution. The U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs located at https://amspub.abet.org/aps/name-search?searchType=institution identifies accredited postsecondary institutions and programs that are within the U.S. and its territories. Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Citizenship & Clearance Requirements:

• Required: U.S. citizenship required.
• Required: Ability to obtain a Federal Government Position of Trust. Must pass a background investigation.

Target Salary Range

Compensation for roles at Synergy is determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the requirements of the role; level of experience; education and certifications; the individual’s combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities; as well as alignment with market data, federal and state laws, and other business and contract considerations. The estimated pay range for this position is: $106,500 – $152,260. The disclosed range has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and represent just one component of Synergy’s total compensation package for employees. 

Candidate AI Policy

Synergy is committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate evaluation process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly granted. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Synergy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants for employment or its employees on the basis of age, race (including hair texture/style), creed, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, sex, medical condition, pregnancy (childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, personal appearance, organ donation and hair length associated with race, genetic information or characteristics, family responsibilities, familial status, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, status as a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, political affiliation, arrest records and criminal convictions, credit information, matriculation, homeless status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and local law. Discrimination or harassment based upon these protected categories is expressly prohibited. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including job selection, assignment, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.