Senior Test Analyst (Contract)

The Focus Group; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading software solutions firm is seeking a Senior Test Analyst to oversee testing activities and ensure high-quality software delivery. You will lead the team in developing test strategies, managing defects, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have over 5 years of testing experience and expertise in SDLC and testing methodologies. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills are essential for this role, which offers a dynamic work environment in Sandton, Gauteng.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in software testing.
• At least 2 years in a senior or lead role.
• ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst certification is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and execution of test strategies.
• Manage the full defect lifecycle.
• Mentor Test Analysts and Junior QA members.

Skills

Strong knowledge of SDLC

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Leadership across multiple projects

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Diploma or Degree in IT, Computer Science

Tools

Jira

Azure DevOps

Postman

SQL

Selenium

Job description

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Test Analyst to lead testing activities across complex initiatives, ensuring high quality software delivery and continuous improvement within the quality engineering function. This role combines hands on testing with leadership, planning, stakeholder engagement, and mentorship.

Test Leadership & Planning

• Lead the creation and execution of test strategies, plans, and approaches.
• Analyse complex business and technical requirements to define comprehensive test coverage.
• Estimate testing effort, identify risks, and support overall delivery planning.
• Ensure all testing adheres to organisational quality standards and best practices.

Test Design & Execution

• Design, review, and maintain well-structured test scenarios, test cases, and test data.
• Execute and oversee functional, integration, system, regression, and end-to-end testing.
• Support test automation by identifying automation opportunities and guiding automation teams.
• Ensure non-functional testing requirements (performance, security, usability) are considered and validated.

Defect & Quality Management

• Manage the full defect lifecycle, including logging, triage, prioritisation, and resolution tracking.
• Conduct root cause analysis and recommend quality improvements.
• Provide clear go/no-go recommendations based on test results, risks, and business impact.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with Business Analysts, Developers, Product Owners, and Project Managers.
• Communicate testing risks, progress, and quality insights in a clear, business-friendly manner.
• Support and coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities.

Mentorship & Continuous Improvement

• Mentor Test Analysts and Junior QA team members.
• Review test artefacts and provide constructive feedback.
• Champion continuous improvement of testing processes, tools, and best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of SDLC, STLC, quality assurance practices, and testing methodologies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead testing activities across multiple projects or workstreams.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High attention to detail, with a strategic and quality-driven mindset.

Technical Skills

• Test management tools (Jira, Azure DevOps, TestRail, Zephyr).
• Manual testing expertise with exposure to automation frameworks (Selenium, Cypress, etc.).
• API testing using tools like Postman.
• SQL for data validation and analysis.
• Experience working in CI/CD and Agile environments (Scrum/SAFe).

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Degree in IT, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 5+ years’ experience in software testing, including at least 2 years in a senior or lead role.
• ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst or related certification (advantageous).

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, accountable, and delivery-focused.
• Confident in assessing and challenging quality risks.
• Strong collaborator and mentor.
• Comfortable working in complex, fast-paced environments.