Premier commercial E&S and specialty lines insurance group is seeking a Senior Quality Assurance Analyst

The Senior Quality Assurance Analyst’s role is to develop and establish quality assurance standards and measures for the information technology services within the organization.

This individual will also gather and analyze data in support of business cases, proposed projects, and systems requirements. This will include writing test plans and scripts for tracking defects and fixes in product development, software application development, information systems, and operations systems. The QA Analyst will apply proven analytical and problem-solving skills to help validate IT processes through careful testing in order to maximize the benefit of business investments in IT initiatives.

Responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
• Develop and establish quality assurance measures and testing standards for new applications, products, and/or enhancements to existing applications throughout their development/product lifecycles.
• Prepare and deliver reports, recommendations, or alternatives that address existing and potential trouble areas in IT systems and projects across the organization.

Acquisition & Deployment
• Liaise with vendors and suppliers in assessing applications and/or systems under consideration for purchase.
• Analyze documentation and technical specifications of any new application under deployment or consideration to determine its intended functionality.

Operational Management
• Conduct internal audits to measure and assure adherence to established QA standards for software development, application integration, and information system performance, and corresponding documentation.
• Create and execute test plans and scripts that will determine optimal application performance according to specifications.
• Verify and revise quality assurance standards as needed.
• Ensure that testing activities allow applications to meet business requirements and systems goals, fulfill end-user requirements, and identify existing or potential issues.
• Collaborate with software/systems personnel in application testing, such as system, unit, regression, load, and acceptance testing methods.
• Make recommendations for improvement of applications to programmers and software developers or engineers.
• Communicate test progress, test results, and other relevant information to project stakeholders and management.
• Test any new software to ensure integration into company systems meets functional requirements, system compliance, and technical specifications.
• Analyze formal test results in order to discover and report any defects, bugs, errors, configuration issues, and interoperability flaws.
• Assist in the development of change control processes, practices, and guidelines for new and existing technologies.
• Participate in developing, distributing, and coordinating in-depth end-user reviews for modified and new systems or applications.
• Cultivate and disseminate knowledge of quality assurance best practices.

Requirements
• College diploma or university degree in software engineering, computer science, or business administration or equivalent work experience.
• 10 years direct experience in overseeing the design, development, and implementation of quality assurance standards for software testing.
• 5 years direct experience as a lead tester for major application integration and/or major application product release.
• Strong knowledge of system testing best practices and methodologies.
• Extensive experience with core software applications, including Microsoft web and client/server applications.
• Direct hands-on experience with ad hoc query programs (Microsoft SQL Server required, DB2 a plus), automated testing tools, and reporting software.
• Extensive practical knowledge in importing data for use in report software, spreadsheets, graphs, and flow charts.
• Proven data analysis, data verification, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with statistical reporting and analysis.
• Excellent PC skills
• Good project management skills and/or substantial exposure to project-based work structures.
• Excellent understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent listening, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language.
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Work conditions
• Occasional evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and to handle other computer components.
• Physically able to participate in training sessions, presentations, and meetings.
• Some travel may be required for the purpose of off-site software and system applications testing.

Please forward resume with salary/rate requirements to: Terri --> tschmitt@marshwinds.net