Associate Principal, Software Engineering: Software Development Test (SDET)

The Options Clearing Corporation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work up to 2 days remote

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment assistance

Technology stipend for remote work

Generous PTO & parental leave

401k employer match

Health benefits including medical, etc

Job summary

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is seeking an Associate Principal, Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to lead automation strategy within Enterprise Quality Management. You will design, implement, and champion testing frameworks and automate test plans across complex platforms, partnering with developers, product owners, and platform engineers to ensure high quality, scalable delivery.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in software testing with strong Java, API testing, SDLC

Qualifications

• Experience in an Agile environment and automation testing.
• Hands-on design, development and maintenance of test cases and automation strategies.
• Experience with multiple platforms (web/mobile), UNIX/Linux, distributed systems, and security software.
• Strong testing experience including test plans, automation, and SDLC knowledge.
• Proven ability to assess testability and plan risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain and execute automation test plans and scripts.
• Develop and extend automation frameworks to cover new features.
• Analyze test results, track defects and drive timely resolutions.
• Lead performance and load testing efforts and environment planning.
• Collaborate with engineers and product owners to embed quality across the lifecycle.
• Support regression testing with new releases and environments.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Test automation

Java

API testing

SDLC

Web/Mobile testing

Distributed systems

High-volume data testing

Automation frameworks

Education

BS degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

Test management tools

Automation frameworks

IBM MQ

Kafka

Job description

What You’ll Do

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is seeking a skilled and motivated Associate Principal, Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join our Enterprise Quality Management team. In this role, you will design and champion automation strategies that keep our mission‑critical financial systems stable, performant, and continuously deliverable. You will partner closely with developers, product owners, and platform engineers to embed quality throughout the software lifecycle — from sprint planning through production release.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. Specific duties and responsibilities include creating, maintaining and executing automation test plans, writing code against software platforms, estimating testing efforts, analyzing and communicating test results, defect tracking and participation in day‑to‑day test activities (functional, regression and integration), and contribute to the company’s performance and scalability testing efforts.

Contribute to our long‑term vision and strategy for improved quality via automation.

Develop, enhance and extend automation frameworks.

Identify quality tasks during team sprint cycle and implement automation for new features.

Analyze and communicate test results and defect tracking.

Participate in performance and load test efforts.

Assist in the planning, creation and control of the test environments and test data.

Define test strategy, conduct requirements analysis for testability, identify scope, conduct risk and mitigation planning, configuration management planning, write master and detailed test plans for test planning and design.

Participate in the review of test procedures and processes and provide recommendations for improvements to eliminate redundancies in testing and improve efficiency.

Support regression testing and introduction of required changes as new releases are introduced.

Provide support for the Ovations systems including, but not limited to, research and resolution of system issues, user support, and scheduled activities.

Build upon/maintain professional relationships with key colleagues and vendors to ensure that the services and solutions provided meet the current and future needs of OCC.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

• [Required] Experience working in an Agile environment
• [Required] Hands‑on experience with design, develop and maintain testcases by utilizing leading industry standards tools and automation frameworks that can simulate complex multi‑system scenarios
• [Required] Experience working with two or more of the following: web/mobile application development, Unix/Linux environments transaction processing systems, distributed and parallel systems, large software systems development, security software development, public‑cloud platforms
• [Required] Strong testing experience which includes developing test plans, automate test cases, and working with test frameworks
• [Required] Understanding of systems development life cycle (SDLC), including proven experience in implementing software applications

Technical Skills

• [Required] Proficiency in any test management tool, test automation tools
• [Required] Java based software development experience, fluent in object‑oriented design, industry best practices, and architecture principles
• [Required] Automated testing framework experience
• [Required] API and high‑volume data testing experience
• [Preferred] Streaming and event driven system experience a plus.
• [Preferred] Message queuing and event sourcing tools like IBM MQ, Kafka
• [Preferred] Clearing and Risk systems functional expertise and familiarity with technical offerings such as integrations and Core Connectors is preferred

Education and/or Experience

• [Required] BS degree in Computer Science, similar technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• [Required] Minimum of seven (3‑7) years’ experience working with manual and automation technologies as an expert with a clear understanding of core practices, processes, and terminology
• [Preferred] Previous experience testing in Financial Services, Derivatives Clearing, Risk, and Data warehousing systems

Certificates or Licenses

None Required

About Us

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world’s largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com.

Benefits

• A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work
• Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely
• Generous PTO and Parental leave
• 401k Employer Match
• Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision
• Visit https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together for more information.

Compensation

The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education. In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer. We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

Salary Range $104,800.00 - $174,500.00

Incentive Range 8% to 15% This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. OCC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. OCC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, marital status, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Numerous studies have shown that people from certain groups are less likely than others to apply to jobs if they believe they do not meet 100% of the requirements. We encourage everyone to review our open positions and apply if you think your experience may be a match, even if you do not meet all of the qualifications. Your perspective may be an element we need to continue building innovative solutions to support the markets and market participants we serve. If you need a disability related accommodation for any part of the application process, please email [e-mail].