Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Also called: Application Integration Engineer, Application Integrator, Applications Analyst, Applications Quality Assurance Specialist (Applications QA Specialist), Applications Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist (Applications Software Engineering IT Specialist)

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Varies

estimated salary

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

  • Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
  • Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
  • Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
  • Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
  • Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.
  • Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
  • Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.
  • Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.
  • Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
  • Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.
  • Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks.
  • Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
  • Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.
  • Create or maintain databases of known test defects.
  • Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.
  • Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance.
  • Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations.
  • Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance.
  • Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.
  • Design or develop automated testing tools.
  • Investigate customer problems referred by technical support.
  • Conduct historical analyses of test results.
  • Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source.
  • Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking.
  • Coordinate user or third-party testing.
  • Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.
  • Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.
  • Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.
  • Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.
  • Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 97% responded "Every day".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 77% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 86% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 67% responded "Extremely important".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 56% responded "Extremely important".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 78% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 49% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Develop testing routines or procedures.
  • Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
  • Develop testing routines or procedures.
  • Compile technical information or documentation.
  • Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
  • Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
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Knowledge

Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Programming
  • Writing computer programs for various purposes.
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Abilities

Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise application integration software
  • Extensible markup language XML Hot Technology
  • Oracle Fusion Middleware Hot Technology
  • IBM WebSphere Hot Technology
  • Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSIS Hot Technology
  • Atlassian Bamboo Hot Technology
  • SAP Netweaver
  • Enterprise application integration EAI software
  • IBM InfoSphere DataStage
Object or component oriented development software
  • jQuery Hot Technology
  • Scala Hot Technology
  • Objective C Hot Technology
  • Oracle Java Hot Technology
  • Practical extraction and reporting language Perl Hot Technology
  • Python Hot Technology
  • R Hot Technology
  • Apache Groovy Hot Technology
  • Advanced business application programming ABAP Hot Technology
  • Apache Spark Hot Technology
  • Swift Hot Technology
  • C++ Hot Technology
  • C# Hot Technology
  • Oberon
  • Modula
  • Objective Caml
  • Smalltalk
  • Simple API for XML SAX
  • Self
  • SAP PowerBuilder
  • Collaborative Application Markup Language CAML
  • Common Lisp Object System CLOS
  • Component object model COM software
  • Component-based Scalable Logical Architecture CSLA
  • Eiffel
  • Embarcadero Delphi
  • E++ pattern language
  • Distributed component object model DCOM software
  • Document Object Model DOM Scripting
  • ABC: the AspectBench Compiler for AspectJ
  • Acresso InstallAnywhere
  • Apple Cocoa
  • Jupyter Notebook
  • Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
  • Microsoft Visual C# .NET
  • Microsoft ActiveX
Analytical or scientific software
  • SAS Hot Technology
  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology
  • Minitab Hot Technology
  • The MathWorks Simulink
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE
  • Data analysis software
  • Dynamic modeling software
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