Senior Quality Assurance Tester

Senior QA TesterFull TimeRequisition ID: 1039ApplyITility is seeking a talented and mission-focused Senior Quality Assurance Tester to join our Application Operations team in support of a mission-critical enterprise modernization contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This role directly supports AWS-hosted enterprise applications that enable the secure processing of recruit candidates entering the U.S. Armed Forces across geographically dispersed sites nationwide.The systems and applications you will test and validate directly support this mission — ensuring every recruit is processed accurately, securely, and without interruption across a nationwide network of military entrance processing locations.This position is responsible for the creation, maintenance, and management of comprehensive test plans, test suites, estimations, and test cases — spanning both manual and automated testing methodologies — in support of ongoing enterprise application modernization efforts. This is a hybrid role with an expectation of 3 days onsite and 2 days remote per week.Key Responsibilities: Test Planning & StrategyPartner with the Application Operations team to create a positive experience in the implementation and use of technology by ensuring all products meet defined business and technical requirements before deploymentDevelop, maintain, and manage comprehensive test plans, test strategies, test suites, test artifacts, and test cases within a dedicated test management system for both manual and automated testing activitiesDefine and document testing scope, objectives, entry/exit criteria, and risk-based testing approaches for each release and sprint cycleProduce accurate test estimations to support sprint planning, release scheduling, and resource forecasting within Agile delivery frameworksMaintain traceability between requirements, test cases, and defects using JIRA and Confluence, ensuring full visibility across the testing lifecycleContinuously refine and improve test documentation, templates, and standards to reflect evolving application architecture and mission requirementsApply deep subject matter expertise in software testing practices for web applications, serving as the team's go-to authority on testing methodology, standards, and execution qualityManual & Automated TestingExecute manual and automated testing using documented test cases as determined by the test plan, ensuring thorough coverage across functional, regression, integration, system, and user acceptance testing (UAT) scenariosDesign, develop, and maintain automated test scripts and frameworks leveraging modern automation tools for web and mobile applications, with hands-on proficiency in Selenium and equivalent platformsPerform API testing and validation to ensure secure, accurate data exchange between integrated enterprise systems and downstream mission applicationsExecute performance and load testing to validate application scalability and stability under operational demand conditionsConduct security-focused testing activities in alignment with DISA STIGs, RMF requirements, and DoD application security standardsLeverage AWS cloud architecture knowledge to inform cloud-native testing strategies and validate application behavior within AWS-hosted environmentsAgile DevSecOps IntegrationActively participate in Agile/SAFe ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily standups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives as a senior QA contributorIntegrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, enabling continuous testing and rapid feedback loops throughout the DevSecOps delivery lifecycleCollaborate closely with developers, business analysts, and product owners to identify testable requirements, clarify acceptance criteria, and shift quality left in the development processProvide QA input during requirements analysis and design reviews to proactively identify gaps, ambiguities, and testability concerns before development beginsDemonstrate proactive, clear communication in both technical and business settings, ensuring quality risks, testing status, and release readiness are consistently and accurately conveyed to all stakeholdersDefect Management & ReportingIdentify, document, and track bugs and defects with precision and clarity across every release cycle, managing each issue through the full defect lifecycle from discovery to verified closureUtilize JIRA to log, prioritize, assign, and monitor defects in coordination with development and operations teams, ensuring timely resolution aligned with mission impactProduce clear, actionable QA status reports, test summary reports, and metrics dashboards for program leadership and Government stakeholdersAnalyze defect trends and test execution metrics to identify systemic quality risks and recommend process or tooling improvementsCustomer Service & CollaborationMaintain a consistently customer service-oriented approach when engaging with team members, Government partners, and mission stakeholders — prioritizing responsiveness, professionalism, and solution-focused communicationServe as a trusted quality partner to cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment where quality is a shared responsibility across development, operations, and business functionsTranslate complex technical quality findings into clear, business-friendly language that enables informed decision-making by non-technical stakeholders and mission ownersMentorship & Quality AdvocacyMentor junior QA team members, providing guidance on test design, automation development, and quality engineering best practicesChampion a quality-first culture across the Application Operations team, advocating for robust testing practices at every stage of the software delivery lifecycleContribute to the development of QA standards, testing frameworks, and organizational best practices that elevate team-wide quality capabilityRequired Qualifications:8+ years of progressive experience in software quality assurance, with demonstrated senior-level expertise in both manual and automated testingExpert-level knowledge of software testing practices for web applications, including test design, execution, defect management, and release validationProven hands-on experience with Selenium and modern automation frameworks for web and mobile applicationsStrong proficiency in JIRA and Confluence for test management, defect tracking, and team collaborationDemonstrated experience with AWS cloud architecture and testing within cloud-hosted application environmentsSolid experience operating within Agile/SAFe DevSecOps delivery frameworks, including integration of automated testing into CI/CD pipelinesStrong proficiency in API testing tools such as Postman, REST Assured, or SoapUIWorking knowledge of federal compliance frameworks including DISA STIGs, RMF, and NIST 800-53 as applied to application security testingProactive, strong communicator with demonstrated ability to engage effectively across both technical and business audiencesCompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent (DoD 8570/8140 IAT II)Active DoD Secret clearance (or ability to obtain)Preferred Qualifications:Direct experience supporting DoD enterprise mission applicationsExperience with performance and load testing tools such as JMeter, Gatling, or equivalentBackground in security testing practices, including OWASP methodologies and vulnerability validationExperience with behavior-driven development (BDD) frameworks such as Cucumber or SpecFlowFamiliarity with additional test management platforms such as Zephyr or TestRailPrior experience in a senior or lead QA role on a DoD or federal government IT programISTQB Certified Tester – Foundation Level (CTFL)Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education, certifications, and directly relevant experience may be substituted.Work Environment:Required to dress appropriately for the job environment, including adherence to safety, security, and site-specific dress standards Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing computer-based tasks.Requires sustained use of hands and fingers for keyboarding, writing, and operation of standard office equipment, as well as frequent verbal communication, active listening, and visual acuity to perform job responsibilities effectively.Occasional movement around the office, including climbing stairs.This is a hybrid role with a requirement to report at least 3 days onsite with 2 days remote per work week.Why ITility?ITility is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business dedicated to delivering secure, innovative technology solutions that protect and defend our nation. We empower our teams to think beyond perceived limits and deliver mission-focused solutions that matter.Your work will directly contribute to enterprise modernization efforts supporting national defense readiness.