Quality Assurance Analyst (Software)
Boston, MA - USA
Job Summary
At the MBTA we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe reliable and accessible transportation. MBTAs core values are built around safety service equity sustainability culture and accessibility and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision mission and includes attendance participation and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
- Job Summary
The Quality Assurance Analyst (Software) provides ongoing testing and validation activity for enterprise systems and rider/transit-oriented applications supported at the MBTA. This includes continuous test improvement and feedback to resolve issues and help software projects meet customer and stakeholder demands by delivering properly performing/functional products in a timely manner to meet business needs. The Quality Assurance Analyst (Software) creates test strategies to ensure a product is compliant with design specifications and user expectations. The position writes and executes manual and automated test plans and cases in addition to analyzing and reporting code addition the position conducts white box and black box testing regression load/performance testing and other functional/non-functional testing to validate that the applications meet business security and quality standards. This role contributes to overall product reliability operational readiness and continuous quality improvement across MBTA applications.
- Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform quality assurance (QA) process and procedures for testing and validation of MBTA enterprise and transportation-oriented applications services and related projects.
- Develop and create QA documentation including test plans scripts and procedures and execute test cases to ensure quality and functionality meet the business and quality standards.
- Execute test cases log defects facilitate defect management with required supporting documentation and analysis of test results.
- Interact with multiple project stakeholders as well as internal and vendor teams to plan strategize and execute test projects.
- Implement necessary solutions and adjustments to maintain test project progress and execution.
- Create software quality assurance (SQA) reports and maintain QA Test Dashboard to update internal and project facing teams.
- Ensure delivery supporting QA department goals and objectives i.e. meeting commitments and coordinating overall quality assurance schedule.
- Anticipate program release problems and take corrective action escalating as needed to resolve and achieve commitments. Ensure the viability functionality and effectiveness of essential tools.
- Contribute to production implementation plans for production deployment checkout and verification procedures.
- Implement ongoing quality improvement processes working with interdepartmental teams.
- Maintain product consistency throughout product cycle across design build and deployment phases through quality checkpoints and testing.
- Develop and manage quality assurance metrics for performance improvement of all teams.
- Provide support with production issues and assist with resolutions as needed.
- Participate in issue and project related Root Cause Analysis and Retrospectives.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Supervision- No direct reports.
- Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science Computer Engineering Information Technology or related fields.
- Two (2) years of experience in software testing application programming or analysis including design development implementation and administration/support.
- Knowledge of standard PC applications including the Microsoft Office Suite email and calendar management.
- Knowledge and understanding of application infrastructure and components required for supporting Web and Mobile applications as well as systems and interactions for Enterprise applications.
- Must have an even disposition and be able to deal effectively and professionally with people from various backgrounds and across a variety of situations especially during critical path project activity.
- Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment.
- Capable of working on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Desire to achieve excellence in customer satisfaction process product quality and reliability.
- Effective organizational analytical time management and documentation skills with attention to detail.
- Experience writing technical documents such as plans procedures and scripts.
- Excellent problem solving interpersonal communication and task management skills.
- Ability to work under limited supervision on diverse scope with skill to resolve issues in creative ways.
- Capable of acquiring knowledge understanding of multiple applications and supporting technology.
Substitutions
- A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelors degree requirement.
- An associates degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelors degree requirement.
- A masters degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
- Preferred Experience & Skills
- Six (6) years of experience in software testing application programming or analysis including design development implementation and application support.
- Experience working with multiple platforms interfaces and applications unique in the transportation industry such as AFC systems mobile applications HASTUS Oracle FMIS/HRCMS and internally developed applications.
- Ability to develop subject matter expertise (SME) across diverse applications and functional areas.
- Strong judgment in selecting effective testing methods techniques and evaluation criteria.
- Knowledgeable of data security principles and risk management.
- Experience leading or coordinating QA project activities and contributing to project plans.
- Demonstrated skill in building test strategies test plans reports and executing manual tests and experience with test automation and load/performance testing tools.
- Knowledge of SDLCs (Software Development Lifecycle) frameworks and software methodologies (Agile Scrum Waterfall Iterative).
- Ability to independently execute test initiatives prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Comfortable adapting quickly to new software applications and changing client requirements.
- Experience working with geographically distributed teams.
- Experience with ServiceNow or similar ticketing/service management systems.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read comprehend communicate and respond to instructions orders signs notices inquiries English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston MA metro area as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a diverseworkforce team (or supervise if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules regulations collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the MBTA including the EEO anti-discrimination anti-harassment and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate) including overall employment job performance discipline and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check comprehensive background screening and / or medical Clinic screening potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned directed or necessary for this position including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions emergencies or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Numberprior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding working in their positions and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary general nature and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties tasks and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicants responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines:Applicants should apply as soon as possible as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility:All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However if you have unrestricted work authorization or are sponsored by a separate entity you are welcome to all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews:Candidates should ensure they arrive on time are prepared can remain for the duration and if remote are in a quiet place without distraction for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling on a one-time basis and due to something emergent you may be allowed to reschedule the addition Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However should you need to reschedule you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions:Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions:Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff:During declared states of emergency employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process please contact the MBTAs ADA Unit at or .
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion:The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms descriptions and definitions related to diversity equity inclusion veteran status and immediate family members that you may find on the application form please visit / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship orco-opat the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass based on the city from which the intern / co-opcommutes to workat no cost. However no additional benefits are currently offered for interns orco-ops.
Required Experience:
IC