Software Test Engineer

Tecolote Research, Inc.; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Major Medical Insurance for employees

Dental Insurance for employees

Vision Insurance for employees

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Tecolote Research, Inc. in Tacoma, WA, is seeking a Software Test Engineer to join our software development team. This role focuses on manual testing with some automation, supporting a data-heavy enterprise web application and Agile sprint cycles.

In-person, full-time work in Tacoma is required. Ideal candidates bring 1–4 years in software testing, solid SDLC knowledge, and experience with Azure DevOps/JIRA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field required.
• 1–4 years in software testing or development, preferably web apps.
• Experience with SDLC and test methodologies.
• Experience with requirements/bug/agile tracking tools (Azure DevOps, JIRA).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to test complex functionality.
• Basic programming or scripting experience, or automated tests.
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance (Secret).
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual testing of applications.
• Create and execute test plans.
• Track bugs through the development workflow.
• Replicate and document field-reported bugs.
• Generate datasets for testing data ingestion/parsing tools.
• Code automated tests.
• Review new feature documentation with requirements team.
• Participate in Agile/Scrum to meet sprint deadlines.
• Suggest features to improve end-user experience.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Software development fundamentals

AI-assisted coding tools

1-4 years experience in testing

Understanding SDLC

Requirements/bug/agile tracking tools

Basic programming or scripting

U.S. citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science

Tools

Azure DevOps

JIRA

Job description

We are seeking a Software Test Engineer to join our software development team in Tacoma, WA. This role is ideal for a quality professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, can manage multiple priorities, and is passionate about driving quality excellence. You will support QA activities for a data-heavy enterprise web application with complex workflows, including: manual testing, replication of defects, and creation of test plans. This role is primarily focused on manual testing, with some time spent writing automated tests. You’ll enjoy working in our dynamic development team in a casual, supportive, and collaborative environment with flexible hours. Ability to work in person full time in Tacoma, WA is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual testing of our applications
• Create and execute test plans
• Track bugs and other software issues through the entire development workflow
• Replicate and document bugs reported in the field
• Generate example datasets to use in testing our data ingestion and parsing tools
• Code automated tests
• Assist the requirements team in reviewing new feature documentation and adding steps as needed
• Participate in Agile/Scrum process to meet sprint release schedules
• Make feature suggestions that would improve the end-user experience

Skills Required

This position requires strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, familiarity with software development fundamentals, and the ability to work independently while partnering effectively with multiple stakeholders. You will augment your QA efforts with AI- assisted coding tools to accelerate development of test plans, generation of edge cases, and contribution to automated tests, while maintaining ownership of work quality, decisions, and correctness (our team engages AI as a force multiplier for our development team, not a substitute for engineering judgment)

• 1-4 years of experience in software testing or software development, ideally in web applications
• Solid understanding of the software development lifecycle and test methodologies
• Experience using requirements/bug/agile tracking systems such as Azure DevOps, JIRA, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to understand, describe and test complex application functionality
• Basic programming or scripting experience (in any language), or experience writing automated tests
• The ability to obtain and maintain the proper security clearance (Secret level) is required
• U.S. citizenship is required

Preferred / Nice-to-Have:

• Experience writing automated tests using a modern test automation or API testing tool (e.g.,
• Playwright, Selenium, Postman)
• Experience testing for Accessibility (Section 508, WCAG 2.0, etc.)
• Technical writing skills
• Experience working with complex data
• Openness to adopting new tools and workflows, including AI-assisted coding tools, as a complement to strong core testing fundamentals

Salary Range: $60,000 - $77,500/Year, DOE

Education

A bachelor’s degree in computer science (or other relevant concentration) required. An additional three years of directly relevant software development experience may substitute for the degree requirement.

Full-Time

SecurityClearance

Entry-Level

On-site

We offer competitive salaries commensurate with education and experience. We have an excellent benefits package that includes:

Health & Welfare

Company Paid

• Major Medical Insurance for employees and family members
• Dental Insurance for employees and family members
• Vision Insurance for employees (employee-paid for family members)
• Group Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Long-Term Disability

Voluntary

• Short-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax deferrals for health care expenses)

Retirement

• Money Purchase Pension Plan - 100% Company funded defined contribution retirement plan. One-year entry waiting period and 5-year vesting. Core Funds available and a self-directed brokerage account option.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan - 100% Company funded discretionary contribution. 100% vested after one-year entry waiting period.

Time Off

Tecolote’s generous paid time off benefits give employees the flexibility they need to relax, recharge and take care of the unexpected.