Test/QA SME (subject matter expert)

SANS; United States; Remote; USD 141,265,000 - 191,123,000; Full time

Job summary

SANS is seeking a Testing SME Consultant for a 6-month fixed-term engagement. The role is 100% remote, flexible to work anywhere in the USA, with a pay rate of $58/hour on W2.

The consultant will review current testing practices across university-related programs, define test types, owners, and evidence requirements, and develop a practical Testing Strategy and Playbook. Responsibilities include current-state reviews, gap analysis, and defining a standardized ownership and documentation model

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience conducting software, system, and business testing including functional, non-functional, system, and technical testing.
• Experience with Test Automation and Test Data Management.
• Experience with Quality Assurance, Test Governance, and process improvement.
• Strong understanding of different testing types, methodologies, and best practices.
• Experience defining testing roles, responsibilities, and ownership across teams.
• Experience establishing testing documentation, standards, and evidence requirements.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder interview skills.
• Having owned or served the Testing CoE (Center of Excellence).
• Developed a Testing Strategy and Approach and/or managed the function.

Responsibilities

• Current State Review: review and identify all current types of testing across teams.
• Define each test type, its purpose, and when it should be used; identify gaps and risks.
• Review testing templates used by PMO and other teams.
• Future State Testing: identify test types and the appropriate owner for each.
• Clarify who is responsible for creating, performing, reviewing, and approving each test.
• Define minimum documentation and evidence for each test type to ensure consistency.
• Identify gaps or inconsistencies in the current testing process.
• Assess and recommend modern testing methodologies, automation, and tooling.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Test automation

Quality assurance

Testing governance

Documentation standards

Stakeholder interviewing

Testing CoE ownership

Job description

Job Posting Title

Testing SME (Subject Matter Expert) Consultant

Description

This position is 100% Remote for major University in NYC, but you can work anywhere in USA.

This is a fixed-term 6-month opportunity. We are looking for an experienced Testing Consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of The University’s current testing practices and establish a clear framework for test types, ownership, responsibilities, and testing evidence requirements.

The consultant will assess the various types of testing performed across Business and Technology teams and Vendors, define each test type and its purpose, determine the appropriate owner responsible for planning, executing, reviewing, and approving each test, and establish standards for documenting and retaining evidence that testing has been completed.

The consultant will work closely with the PMO BPI team, IT teams as appropriate, and other relevant stakeholders to develop a practical and sustainable testing ownership model as well as a Testing Strategy and Approach Playbook.

Pay: $58/hour on W2.

Key Responsibilities

• Current State Review:
• Review and identify all current types of testing being performed across all teams Define each test type, including its purpose and when it should be used.
• Identify gaps and risks
• Review current testing templates used by the PMO and other relevant teams
• Future State Testing Approach Types of testing Identify the appropriate owner for each test type.
• Clarify who is responsible for:
• Creating the test
• Performing the test
• Reviewing the results
• Approving/signing off on the test
• Define the minimum documentation and evidence required for each test type, what standards or criteria determine whether testing passes or fail, and how do we ensure testing is consistent across projects.
• Identify gaps, overlaps, or inconsistencies in the current testing process.
• Assess and offer recommendations on modern testing methodologies, automated execution, and required tooling and resources to support a viable model.
• Recommend a standardized approach for testing ownership and documentation.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will provide:

• Test Type Inventory and; List of all identified test types
• Test Definitions and; Clear definition and purpose of each test type.
• Test Ownership Matrix (RACI) and; Identification of the appropriate owner and supporting roles.
• Testing Evidence Matrix and; Definition of what evidence is required for each test type.
• Gap Analysis and; Identification of current gaps or inconsistencies.
• Recommendations and; Proposed future-state testing and ownership model.

The right candidate should have:

• Hands-on experience conducting software, system, and business testing, including functional, non-functional, system, and technical testing.
• Experience with Test Automation and Test Data Management
• Experience with Quality Assurance, Test Governance, and process improvement.
• Strong understanding of different testing types, methodologies, and best practices.
• Experience defining testing roles, responsibilities, and ownership across teams.
• Experience establishing testing documentation, standards, and evidence requirements.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder interview skills.
• Having owned or served the Testing CoE (Center of Excellence)
• Developed a Testing Strategy and Approach and/ or managed the function