Quality Assurance Engineering Scientist

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Basic medical coverage

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation & sick time

Paid holidays

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin’s Space and Geophysics Laboratory seeks a Quality Assurance Engineering Scientist to lead software testing efforts for government-facing systems, including cloud-hosted components. The role emphasizes designing test programs, building automation, and ensuring adherence to requirements and verification standards.

Ideal candidates will have a STEM degree and 3+ years of software QA experience, plus Python-based automation, version control with GitLab/Jira, and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, information science, or another relevant STEM field.
• At least three years of experience in software quality assurance, software testing, or verification.
• Experience developing and executing software test cases, test plans, or test procedures.
• Experience with test automation using Python or a similar programming/scripting language.
• Experience using version control and issue-tracking tools such as GitLab and Jira.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and document test programs, test plans, and test procedures for software systems.
• Develop and maintain automated test suites using Python or similar languages.
• Execute verification activities including requirements-based testing, traceability, and test reporting.
• Participate in project and requirement reviews; provide technical interface to sponsors and other external organizations; identify software and hardware resource requirements.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Skills

Software QA

Test design

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, information science, or related STEM field

Tools

GitLab

Jira

pytest

Python

Job description

Job Posting Title

Quality Assurance Engineering Scientist

Hiring Department

Applied Research Laboratories

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose

The Space and Geophysics Laboratory (SGL) delivers capabilities to government customers for many applications, from real-time, data-intensive network operations to standalone remote field systems. This position focuses on software quality assurance, testing, and verification for software systems, including cloud-hosted systems. The role involves designing and implementing test programs, developing test automation, and ensuring software meets requirements for government customers, including those with formal verification and quality assurance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and document test programs, test plans, and test procedures for software systems.
• Develop and maintain automated test suites using Python or similar languages.
• Execute verification activities including requirements-based testing, traceability, and test reporting.
• Participate in project and requirement reviews; provide technical interface to sponsors and other external organizations; identify software and hardware resource requirements.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, information science, or another relevant STEM field.
• At least three years of experience in software quality assurance, software testing, or verification.
• Experience developing and executing software test cases, test plans, or test procedures.
• Experience with test automation using Python or a similar programming/scripting language.
• Experience using version control and issue-tracking tools such as GitLab and Jira.

US Citizen. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the level appropriate to the project requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with pytest or a similar test framework.
• Experience applying risk-based testing and requirements traceability using test management tools such as Jira Xray.
• Experience leading or independently owning a significant software test effort.
• Experience with cloud-based software testing, CI/CD pipelines, or containerized applications.
• Experience with software design assurance, verification, or quality processes for safety-critical or highly regulated systems.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0.

General Notes

An agency designated by the federal government handles the investigation as to the requirement for eligibility for access to classified information. Factors considered during this investigation include but are not limited to allegiance to the United States, foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations, drug involvement, the likelihood of continuation of such conduct, etc.

Salary Range

$104,000 - $174,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Possible weekend, evening and holiday work
• Possible interstate/intrastate travel

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest
• Unofficial college transcripts

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.