Sr. Engineer, Software Developer Test QE

As a Sr. Engineer, Software Developer Test QE at LPL Financial LLC, your main responsibilities include engaging in Agile Scrum ceremonies, developing and executing test plans, performing in-sprint testing, and documenting bugs. You will also automate tests using various tools and collaborate closely with software engineers to understand product features and architecture, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software. Moreover, you will be a crucial advocate for quality through all phases of the software development lifecycle.

To qualify for the Sr. Engineer, Software Developer Test QE position at LPL Financial LLC, you need a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, along with five years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree and three years of experience. You should possess comprehensive knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, programming languages like C#, Java, or JavaScript, and automation frameworks such as Selenium or Appium. Additionally, familiarity with web services testing and writing complex SQL queries is essential.

LPL Financial LLC is committed to your career growth and offers a wealth of resources for development. By fostering an innovative environment, the company provides opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship programs, and access to advanced training in relevant technologies. The collaborative and supportive leadership encourages you to gain new skills and maximize your potential, ensuring a fulfilling and impactful career.

At LPL Financial LLC, we understand the importance of work-life balance. As a Sr. Engineer, Software Developer Test QE, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, including the opportunity for 80% remote work. This allows you to have a fulfilling personal life while contributing to our mission of providing exceptional financial guidance. We strive to create an environment where employees feel valued and supported both at work and in their personal endeavors.

LPL Financial LLC offers a highly competitive benefits package for Sr. Engineers, Software Developer Test QE, including a salary range of $156,000 to $166,000, 401K matching, health benefits, and employee stock options. Additionally, paid time off, volunteer time off, and various resources are made available to help enhance your quality of life both at work and at home, reflecting our commitment to your overall well-being.

In answering this question, share specific examples of Agile processes you've participated in, such as Scrum ceremonies. Discuss your role during these events, how you contributed to team dynamics, and the impact of Agile practices on project outcomes. Highlight any tools you used for Agile project management and how they helped streamline the testing workflow.

For this question, elaborate on your systematic approach to developing test plans. Discuss techniques such as requirements traceability, risk analysis, and how you prioritize test cases based on user story configurations. Provide examples of metrics or tools you utilize to monitor and report test coverage, demonstrating your commitment to quality assurance.

In your response, outline your experience with automation frameworks like Selenium, Appium, or TestNG. Discuss the factors that influence your decision-making process when selecting a framework, such as project requirements, technology stack, team expertise, and long-term maintainability. Consider providing a situation where your choice of framework led to a successful project outcome.

When responding, detail your hands-on experience with CI/CD tools, describing how you integrated testing into the pipeline. Talk about your role in setting up automated testing within CI/CD flows, and the benefits observed, such as faster feedback loops and increased code quality. Use specific examples to illustrate how this approach improved your team's workflow.

Here, discuss the systematic process you follow when encountering bugs. Emphasize your methods for documenting, tracking, and prioritizing these issues. Mention any collaborative tools you use to communicate with developers and stakeholders, and the importance of ensuring bugs are resolved timely to maintain project momentum.

In your answer, describe a specific challenge you faced in a testing process and the proactive steps you took to resolve it. Focus on discussing the changes implemented, the rationale behind them, and the measurable impact of those improvements on team productivity or software quality. This could include adopting new testing tools or methodologies.

Discuss your approach to data validation, such as creating robust data scenarios or leveraging advanced SQL queries. Highlight how you ensure data consistency, integrity, and accuracy during the testing process. Providing examples of how you've employed these strategies in past projects will help demonstrate your expertise.

Explain your tactics for bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. This may involve adjusting your language based on the audience, creating clear and concise reports, and fostering an open dialogue regarding testing progress and findings. Emphasize the importance of collaboration in understanding different perspectives.

Here, reflect on your passion for quality, problem-solving, and driving positive change within a development team. Share how witnessing the successful delivery of high-quality software impacts your motivation. Connecting your values to the mission of LPL Financial LLC can further resonate with the interviewers.

Discuss the methods you use to stay informed about the latest trends, tools, and technologies in software testing, such as attending conferences, participating in online forums, or taking courses. Mention any specific resources or communities you engage with and how continuous learning enhances your effectiveness as a Sr. Engineer, Software Developer Test QE.