Senior Software Development Engineer in Test

As a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test at Elite Technology, your responsibilities will include leading test strategies for major releases, developing and maintaining automation frameworks, mentoring junior engineers, conducting root-cause analysis on complex issues, and acting as a liaison with product managers. You'll also track quality metrics and enforce best practices within the team to ensure high-quality delivery for our software.

To qualify for the Senior Software Development Engineer in Test role at Elite Technology, candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent experience, alongside 8+ years in quality assurance and 5+ years in test automation. Advanced expertise in .NET technologies, automated testing frameworks like Selenium, and familiarity with Agile methodologies are essential. Excellent problem-solving skills and communication abilities are also required.

A Senior Software Development Engineer in Test at Elite Technology should have strong knowledge in a range of technologies including .NET (C#, ASP.NET, .NET Core), Selenium or similar testing frameworks (Cypress, Playwright), Azure DevOps for CI/CD, and relational database technologies like Microsoft SQL Server. Experience with cloud-native design principles, especially Azure, is also beneficial.

At Elite Technology, the work environment is 100% remote, allowing you to work from the comfort of your own home or a WeWork space in Escazú, Costa Rica. We embrace a flexible remote work model, while also promoting collaboration through occasional in-person meetings for team building and project alignment. Our diverse global team thrives on effective communication and shared values.

Elite Technology offers a comprehensive benefits package for its Senior Software Development Engineer in Test, including 100% remote work flexibility, annual incentive plans, 14 paid holidays, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, and additional perks like two Elite Mental Health Days per year to support work-life balance.

When discussing your approach to developing automated testing frameworks, it's vital to emphasize the importance of scalability and maintainability. Sharing specific examples of frameworks you’ve built in the past, outlining the technologies used, and highlighting the integration with CI/CD pipelines will showcase your expertise. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure comprehensive test coverage and the strategies you leverage for continuous improvement.

Handling conflicts within a testing team requires strong communication and problem-solving skills. It's beneficial to talk about specific instances where you've mediated conflicts, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, understanding differing perspectives, and working towards a collaborative solution. Show your ability to influence and drive a positive outcome while maintaining team morale and productivity.

When asked about your experience with Agile methodologies, share your direct involvement in Agile teams and how you've contributed to enhancements in quality assurance practices. Highlight any roles you’ve taken in Scrum meetings, sprint planning, and retrospectives. Providing examples of how Agile practices have improved testing cycles or team collaboration will demonstrate your practical understanding of the methodology.

Discuss specific metrics such as test coverage, defect escape rates, and automation efficiency. Explain how you gather and analyze this data to continuously improve your testing processes. Providing insights on how these metrics influenced decision-making and led to measurable improvements in product quality will be particularly impactful.

In response to inquiries about cloud technologies, structure your answer by detailing specific projects where you've utilized Azure. Discuss your familiarity with services like Azure App Services and Functions, the advantages of cloud-native design, and how you've implemented monitoring tools such as Azure Monitor to ensure system reliability. Real-world examples will help to validate your expertise.

Speak about specific challenges you encountered, such as managing dynamic elements in web applications or achieving a balance between test coverage and maintainability. Describe the strategies you employed to overcome these hurdles, ensuring that you articulate how those solutions led to improved quality outcomes in your projects.

Ensuring a balance between manual and automated testing involves evaluating the project's unique needs. Talk about how you decide which processes to automate and how you incorporate manual tests for areas where human insight is valuable, such as exploratory testing. Sharing examples of how this balance improved workflow efficiency can strengthen your answer.

Staying updated with new testing tools and technologies is crucial in this fast-evolving field. Discuss the various methods you use, such as attending webinars, pursuing relevant certifications, participating in online communities, and experimenting with new tools on personal projects. Showing a proactive approach to learning demonstrates your commitment to professional development.

When discussing your mentoring process, focus on your approach to knowledge sharing and supporting junior team members’ growth. Share how you provide guidance on best practices, conduct one-on-one training sessions, and foster a collaborative environment where they can ask questions. Mention specific instances where your mentoring has positively impacted their performance or confidence.

When discussing a significant defect you identified, structure your answer to demonstrate your analytical skills. Explain the situation, the investigative steps you took to pinpoint the issue, and how you communicated it to the team. Highlight any measures that were implemented as a result and the final outcome, showcasing how your actions contributed to product quality.