Senior Software Engineer, QA - Paris

As a Senior Software Engineer, QA at Mistral AI, you will undertake various responsibilities including developing and executing tests to validate machine learning model outputs, automating API testing suites, conducting edge case analysis, implementing pre-release quality gates, and designing comprehensive QA campaigns to enhance the overall robustness of our products. You will also contribute to building tools and frameworks to streamline quality testing processes within the organization.

To be a suitable candidate for the Senior Software Engineer, QA role at Mistral AI, you should possess a proven ability in creating and executing comprehensive test strategies, be proficient in QA tools like Postman and Selenium, and have strong problem-solving skills. While experience in testing machine learning models and proficiency in Python or similar languages would be ideal, a proactive mindset and the ability to collaborate efficiently with developers are essential qualifications.

The work environment at Mistral AI is collaborative and creative, emphasizing low-ego teamwork among our diverse workforce. As part of the team, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with colleagues across countries including France, the USA, and Germany, driving innovation in the AI space. We pride ourselves on maintaining a supportive culture where everyone is encouraged to share ideas and make meaningful contributions toward our mission.

Yes, the Senior Software Engineer, QA position at Mistral AI offers flexibility with remote work. While there is no specific location requirement, you will need to visit our Paris office monthly if you're based in France, Germany, or Spain, and the London office if located in the UK. Mistral AI will cover travel expenses, promoting a balance between remote flexibility and essential team interactions.

Mistral AI offers an attractive benefits package for Senior Software Engineer, QA employees, including competitive cash salaries, equity options, daily lunch vouchers, a monthly contribution towards a Gympass subscription, and full health insurance coverage for you and your family. Additionally, we provide generous parental leave and cover travel expenses associated with monthly office visits, making it an enticing position within a pioneering company.

When discussing testing strategies for machine learning models, it’s important to highlight your experience with model behavior testing, edge case analysis, and validation processes for outputs. You can showcase your methodical approach and any tools you utilize, such as Postman or custom scripts, to ensure consistent and accurate results.

During an interview, you should emphasize the significance of automated testing for APIs, detailing how it helps ensure that endpoints function correctly and integrate seamlessly within the inference stack. Discuss your experience with building automated testing suites and how this contributes to reducing deployment errors and enhances overall efficiency.

When addressing edge case analysis, you can discuss your collaboration with product managers and other stakeholders to identify potential edge cases. Emphasize the importance of rigorously testing these cases to improve model robustness and the methods you use to ensure comprehensive coverage in your testing strategy.

In your response, elaborate on your proficiency with various QA tools such as Selenium and Postman, and cite any frameworks you've helped develop or utilize. Highlight how these tools have impacted your testing efficiency and accuracy, along with any notable successes resulting from their implementation.

To ensure the quality of a product before release, you would discuss your process of implementing pre-release quality gates, which involve validating models, APIs, and platform updates. Additionally, mention how systematic QA campaigns, including functional, stress, and performance testing, allow you to identify issues proactively.

Discussing your debugging process allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving capabilities. Explain how you identify, document, and collaborate with developers to resolve issues effectively. Emphasizing clear communication and a structured approach will demonstrate your effectiveness in QA roles.

In your answer, talk about how you regularly assess testing methodologies and collaborate with your team to identify opportunities for automation and efficiency. Present any past experiences where you successfully improved a QA process, emphasizing your proactive approach to fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Share your techniques for prioritizing testing tasks, such as evaluating model complexity, potential impact, and deadlines. Discuss how you balance thorough testing with the need to meet release schedules while maintaining product quality, showing your ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Detail how collaboration is essential in your QA process, particularly when working with developers and product managers. Discuss your experience in fostering strong communication channels and how this teamwork helps improve product quality while facilitating a smoother, more engaging testing process.

Mention your commitment to continuous learning, such as attending workshops, webinars, or reading industry publications. Discuss any specific resources, organizations, or communities you engage with to remain informed about advancements in QA practices that could benefit your role as a Senior Software Engineer, QA.