Junior Software Test Engineer

As a Junior Software Test Engineer at YouGov, you will be actively involved in the quality assurance process within a scrum team. Your main responsibilities will include reviewing user stories for clarity and correctness, engaging in exploratory testing, and participating in sprint planning to assess user story complexities. Additionally, you'll work on creating and maintaining test scripts, contributing to automated testing solutions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality software delivery.

To qualify for the Junior Software Test Engineer role at YouGov, candidates should have between 2-5 years of commercial software testing experience. Familiarity with test frameworks, modern frontend programming languages like Typescript and Angular, and experience with SQL databases are essential. Basic understanding of Micro-Services architecture, automated API testing, and experience with BDD/TDD methodologies will also greatly enhance your application. Furthermore, strong communication skills and teamwork abilities are critical.

YouGov offers an impressive array of benefits for Junior Software Test Engineers, including a hybrid working model that allows for flexible work-from-home options. You’ll enjoy food vouchers, a private medical subscription, and sponsored gym memberships. Additionally, the company places a strong emphasis on personal and professional development through ongoing training opportunities, all while working in a modern office environment in the heart of Bucharest.

YouGov is committed to the professional growth of its Junior Software Test Engineers by providing continuous training and learning opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and knowledge in software testing. The collaborative work environment encourages knowledge sharing and mentorship among team members, helping you to navigate and excel in your career path. Furthermore, their focus on diversity and inclusion means you can contribute and learn from a wide variety of perspectives.

Junior Software Test Engineers at YouGov are encouraged to use various testing methodologies, including exploratory testing, automated testing using tools like Selenium WebDriver, and Behavior Driven Development (BDD) and Test Driven Development (TDD) practices. The role promotes a thorough understanding of the software testing lifecycle, ensuring that you can contribute effectively to a range of testing processes throughout the SDLC.

In an Agile environment, a Junior Software Test Engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring software quality through active involvement in the development process. You'll participate in sprint planning meetings, collaborate with developers to clarify requirements, and perform testing tasks throughout the sprint. Agile promotes flexibility, so your ability to adapt and communicate effectively with the team will be key to your success.

As a Junior Software Test Engineer, I'm familiar with various testing techniques such as exploratory testing, session-based testing, and automated testing. I understand the importance of using the right technique depending on the context of the project and the specific requirements of the user stories being implemented. This helps ensure the software meets quality standards while being delivered on time.

When writing test cases, I begin by understanding the acceptance criteria detailed in the user stories. I strive to make test cases clear, concise, and easy to follow, ensuring they cover both positive and negative scenarios. Additionally, I prioritize automation where applicable, ensuring that our tests can be easily reused and maintained for future iterations.

Behavior Driven Development (BDD) focuses on the behavior of the software from the user's perspective, while Test Driven Development (TDD) emphasizes writing tests before code to guide development. BDD centers on collaboration among team members to understand requirements and desired outcomes, while TDD focuses on the technical aspects of code correctness. As a Junior Software Test Engineer, I recognize how both methodologies can enhance the quality of the software we produce.

When I discover a critical bug near the release date, my immediate response is to assess its impact on the overall software functionality. I communicate the issue to the team right away, providing necessary details and context. We'll review and prioritize the bug, determining if it can be resolved quickly or if it need to be escalated for further discussions on release schedules. Effective communication during this process is key to finding the best solution.

I have worked with several testing tools and frameworks, including Selenium WebDriver for automated testing, and I’m also familiar with various test frameworks tailored to specific technology stacks. Additionally, I'm comfortable using version control systems like Git to manage code changes effectively. I enjoy learning new tools and frameworks as they emerge to keep improving the efficiency of our testing processes.

In one of my previous roles, I worked on a team project where we were tasked with delivering a new feature within a tight deadline. I proactively collaborated with the developers to understand their pain points and ensure that testing requirements were met early in the development cycle. By maintaining open lines of communication and mapping out our testing strategy collectively, we successfully delivered a high-quality feature on time, and I learned the importance of teamwork and flexibility in achieving project goals.

I believe that the most important aspect of software testing is ensuring that the end user’s needs are met. Testing is not just about finding bugs; it's about validating that the software delivers the intended functionality and user experience. As a Junior Software Test Engineer, my focus is on thorough testing practices that confirm quality while anticipating user interactions and experiences.

To stay updated with the latest trends in software testing, I regularly participate in online courses, read industry publications, and engage with testing communities on platforms like LinkedIn and forums. I'm also keen to attend webinars and conferences whenever possible to network with other professionals and learn from their experiences in the field. Keeping informed helps me apply the best practices in my role.

To ensure effective communication in a team setting, I prioritize transparency and openness. I make it a point to share updates on my progress, actively participate in meetings, and ask questions whenever I'm uncertain. I also encourage a collaborative environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Overall, fostering a culture of respect and understanding significantly aids our collaboration and leads to better project outcomes.