Job Title: Software QA Engineer
Location: Bradford BD3 7DL, United Kingdom
Employment Type: Contractor (with potential for permanent onboarding after 6 months)
Work Schedule: Full-time, 5 days in the office
Job Summary
We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented **Software QA Engineer** with hands-on experience in software testing. The ideal candidate will have **3+ years of experience** in software quality assurance, with a preference for those who have worked in the **retail industry**. This role requires working **on-site** at our UK location, collaborating with **vendors, customers, project and program managers, and the QA manager
The QA Engineer will be responsible for **both manual testing** and supporting test automation (if applicable). The role involves working in an Agile environment, ensuring the highest software quality standards, managing defects, and improving testing processes. **Strong communication and basic management skills** are required to coordinate effectively with internal teams and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
* Design, develop, and execute test plans and test cases based on software requirements.
* Perform **functional, regression, system, and integration testing** for software applications.
* Identify, document, and track software defects using industry-standard tools.
* Collaborate closely with **development teams, product managers, vendors, and customers** to resolve issues and ensure product quality.
* Work in an **Agile/Scrum** environment, actively participating in sprint planning and reviews.
* Assist in maintaining test environments, test data, and testing tools.
* Support test automation efforts where applicable (automation experience is an advantage but not a must).
* Perform API testing, database validation, and ensure compliance with best testing practices.
* Communicate test progress, results, and risks to project stakeholders and management.
* Ensure adherence to QA processes, industry standards, and company best practices.
Required Qualifications & Skills
* 3+ years of hands-on experience** in Software Quality Assurance.
* Experience in both **manual testing** and understanding of automation concepts.
* Proficiency in using **QA tools** such as HP Quality Center (QC), Jira, TestRail, or similar.
* Knowledge of **XML, API testing (REST, SOAP), and SQL/NoSQL databases**.
* Experience working in **Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)**.
* Strong defect management, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
* Proficiency in **Microsoft Excel** for test reporting and data analysis.
* Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, GCP) is an advantage** but not mandatory.
* Basic management skills, including coordination with multiple stakeholders.
* Excellent communication skills** to work effectively with vendors, customers, and internal teams.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience in the **retail industry** or testing retail-related applications.
* Hands-on experience with **test automation tools** such as Selenium, Cypress, or similar.
* Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices in testing.