Software Quality Assurance Analyst

SMARTFOX; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SMARTFOX seeks a QA Analyst to analyze requirements, design test plans, and ensure product quality across web, mobile, and API platforms. You will execute functional, regression, and exploratory tests, document defects with steps and evidence, and collaborate to sign off on releases.

A bachelor’s degree in CS/IT or equivalent experience is expected, with US work authorization. The role involves working in an Agile team, developing automation, and growing skills in testing across multiple domains

Qualifications

• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and core testing concepts (test cases, regression, severity vs. priority).
• Sharp attention to detail and a curious, “what if?” mindset.
• Clear written bug reports.
• Comfort learning new tools quickly.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT/Business or equivalent experience; we hire for judgment, not pedigree.
• Authorization to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Analyze requirements, write test plans and acceptance criteria.
• Run tests across web, mobile, and API products.
• Find and report defects with steps, screenshots, and impact.
• Test APIs with Postman and perform basic SQL checks.
• Create and maintain automated tests with Selenium or Playwright.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and communicate risk and quality.
• Verify fixes and sign off on go-live readiness.
• Track test coverage and quality metrics for the team.
• Manage tests and defects in Jira, TestRail, Zephyr, or Azure DevOps.
• Support UAT and help business users understand testing.
• Use AI-assisted tools to generate test ideas, then judge usefulness.
• Suggest improvements to testing processes and tooling.

Skills

Attention to detail

Bug reporting

Written communication

SDLC understanding

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Business, or related field

Tools

Jira

TestRail

Zephyr

Azure DevOps

Postman

Job description

• Analyze requirements, user stories, and designs to build test plans, test cases, and acceptance criteria
• Run functional, regression, integration, usability, and exploratory testing across web, mobile, and API products
• Find, document, and report defects with clear steps, screenshots, logs, and impact so developers can fix them fast
• Test APIs with Postman or similar tools, and check data in databases with basic SQL queries
• Write and maintain automated tests with Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or similar tools (we’ll teach you if you’re new to it)
• Take part in Agile ceremonies: sprint planning, refinement, standups, and retrospectives, and speak up on risk and quality
• Verify fixes, run release testing, and sign off on go-live readiness
• Track test coverage, defect trends, and quality metrics, and share what they mean in plain language
• Manage tests and defects in Jira, TestRail, Zephyr, Azure DevOps, or similar tools
• Support user acceptance testing (UAT) and help business users understand what they’re testing
• Use AI-assisted tools to generate test ideas and data, then apply your judgment to what’s useful
• Suggest improvements to testing process, tooling, and how the team builds quality in

Level Typical experience What you’ll own

• QA Analyst I - 0-2 years : Executing test cases, exploratory testing, defect reporting, learning our product and tools with a dedicated mentor
• QA Analyst II - 2-5 years : Owning test planning for features or releases, writing automation, API testing, mentoring newer analysts
• Senior QA Analyst - 5+ years : Setting test strategy, leading quality for major releases, improving process and tooling, mentoring across teams

Promotion criteria are written down at every level, with regular career conversations. Many of our analysts have moved into QA automation, SDET, business analysis, product, and QA leadership roles.

What you bring

Must have

• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and core testing concepts (test cases, regression, severity vs. priority)
• Sharp attention to detail and a curious, “what if?” mindset
• Clear written communication, especially in bug reports
• Comfort learning new tools and products quickly
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Bootcamp graduates, support or help-desk professionals, and self-taught testers are welcome. We hire for judgment, not pedigree.
• Authorization to work in the US

Nice to have (not required)

• Hands-on experience with Jira, TestRail, or similar test management tools
• Certifications: ISTQB Foundation or Advanced, CSTE, or Agile testing credentials (we’ll pay for these)
• Mobile testing experience on iOS and Android
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or Kanban
• Experience with accessibility, performance, or security testing basics
• Domain experience in [fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, SaaS, insurance, etc.]
• Bug bounty finds, beta testing, or a documented personal testing project you can discuss