Quality Assurance Specialist

Criticalmass; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Maternity and parental leave extra days

Competitive benefits packages

Vacation and sick days

Internal learning and development programs

Job summary

Criticalmass, located in San Jose, California, is seeking a QA Specialist to ensure quality assurance standards are met throughout the product lifecycle. This role involves both manual testing and automation within a collaborative hybrid team environment.

Responsibilities include designing test plans, managing defects and ensuring high-quality digital experiences. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's in Software Engineering and 2+ years in QA, familiar with Agile methodologies and testing tools like Jira.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Software Quality Assurance.
• Strong capability to track, report, and manage defects.
• Experience with test automation concepts and tools.

Responsibilities

• Ensure quality of projects based on requirements.
• Analyze project requirements to ensure test coverage.
• Design and maintain test plans and QA documentation.

Skills

Functional Testing

Regression Testing

API Testing

Collaboration

Defect Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering

Tools

Jira

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)

Job description

This QA role is responsible for ensuring that quality assurance standards and client satisfaction are delivered throughout the product lifecycle. You will execute structured QA activities with speed, accuracy, and a strong focus on quality, helping maintain the agility and effectiveness of the QA practice.

As part of a hybrid QA team, you will contribute to both manual testing efforts and automation initiatives, supporting the continuous improvement of quality processes across projects. This role works closely with the QA Lead, developers, designers, project managers, and other QA team members to ensure high-quality digital experiences across platforms and devices.

Career development guidance is typically provided by the QA Lead and may be adapted based on account or location.

You Will

• Be co‑responsible for the quality of projects based on requirements and design specifications.
• Collaborate effectively with QA team members, developers, designers, and project managers to achieve project goals.
• Analyze project requirements, user stories, and tickets to ensure test coverage and quality standards.
• Ask the right questions and proactively identify missing, unclear, or conflicting requirements.
• Identify, communicate, and elevate risks, issues, and potential blockers.
• Design, create, and maintain comprehensive test plans, test cases, test scripts, traceability matrices, and QA documentation.
• Execute Functional, Smoke, Regression, Exploratory, and Non‑Functional testing activities.
• Support API testing efforts and validate integrations when required.
• Participate in both manual testing activities and QA automation initiatives.
• Create, track, and manage defects through resolution using Jira or similar tools.
• Communicate test results, project status, quality metrics, and risks to stakeholders through appropriate channels.
• Apply industry‑standard testing methodologies, strategies, and QA best practices.
• Support regression testing cycles across releases and product updates.
• Assist with QA effort estimation and planning activities.
• Support onboarding and knowledge sharing within the QA practice.
• Continuously expand knowledge of QA processes, automation tools, accessibility, security, and emerging testing practices.

You Have

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Software Quality Assurance.
• Experience performing Functional Testing, Smoke Testing, Regression Testing, Exploratory Testing, and API Testing.
• Knowledge of test automation concepts, tools, and best practices.
• Strong capability to track, report, and manage defects throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Experience creating test plans, test cases, test scripts, and QA documentation.
• Ability to collaborate closely with developers, project managers, designers, and stakeholders to clarify requirements and defects.
• Proactive mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to identify, communicate, and elevate risks effectively.
• Knowledge of Agile software development methodologies.
• Experience working with local and offshore teams.
• Experience with task management and defect tracking tools such as Jira and similar platforms.
• Experience working with content management systems; experience with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• English proficiency at B2 level or higher (reading, writing, and conversation).

Nice to Have

• ISTQB Certification.
• Other QA‑related certifications.
• Experience with QA automation frameworks and tools.

What We Offer

• Maternity and parental leave extra days
• Competitive benefits packages
• Vacation, compassionate leave, sick days, and flex days
• Access to online services for families and new parents
• Diversity and Inclusion Board with 12 affinity groups
• Internal learning and development programs
• Enterprise‑wide employee discounts
• And more…

We expect team members to work from an office a minimum of 3 days a week.

Critical Mass is an equal opportunity employer.