Software Tester/QA Analyst 3

Job Title: Software Tester/QA Analyst 3
Work Type: Hybrid
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Salary: $34 – $54 per hour
Start Date: November 2, 2026
End Date: June 30, 2027
Industry Category: Government / Information Technology / Software Quality Assurance
Employment Type: Contract
Requisition ID: 814402

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Software Tester/QA Analyst 3 to support the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) in ensuring the quality, reliability, and functionality of enterprise software applications.

This hybrid contract opportunity focuses on designing, executing, maintaining, and improving manual and automated software testing processes.

The ideal candidate will possess at least four years of hands-on experience with Jira, Xray, Playwright, and test automation, along with strong analytical, defect management, and communication skills.

The selected candidate will collaborate with developers, QA leads, and business stakeholders to validate application functionality, identify and resolve defects, maintain testing documentation, and support continuous improvements in software quality assurance.

This position is classified as hybrid. The specific number of required on-site days has not been provided and must be confirmed with DSS.

Application:

Application Deadline: Thursday, November 19, 2026, before 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Qualified candidates should demonstrate at least four years of experience using Jira, Xray, and Playwright, along with four years of hands-on test automation experience.

Applicants should have experience designing and executing software test cases, documenting defects, maintaining test coverage, and collaborating with development teams to resolve software quality issues.

Candidates must be able to comply with the agency's hybrid work arrangement and physically reside within the United States throughout the assignment.

Applicants must provide their email address as part of the submission process.

Job Description:

The Software Tester/QA Analyst 3 will support the Virginia Department of Social Services by designing, executing, maintaining, and improving software test cases to ensure the quality and reliability of enterprise applications.

The position requires experience with both manual and automated testing, including developing and executing test cases based on functional and technical requirements.

The analyst will use Jira and Xray to manage testing activities, maintain test documentation, track defects, and report testing progress. Playwright will be used to support automated testing activities and regression testing initiatives.

The successful candidate will work closely with software developers, QA leads, and stakeholders to identify application issues, document findings, validate fixes, and ensure software quality standards are met.

The role also involves maintaining test coverage reports, supporting regression testing, and contributing to improvements in testing processes, automation practices, and quality assurance standards.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, analytical, organized, and capable of communicating technical testing results clearly to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

Software Test Planning & Test Case Development

• Analyze functional and technical requirements to identify appropriate testing scenarios.
• Design, develop, document, and maintain manual and automated software test cases.
• Create test scenarios that validate application functionality and expected behavior.
• Ensure test cases align with documented business and technical requirements.
• Maintain test coverage documentation and support traceability between requirements and test cases.
• Update test cases as application functionality and requirements evolve.

Manual Software Testing

• Execute manual functional testing to validate software behavior and business requirements.
• Identify inconsistencies between expected and actual application results.
• Document testing outcomes and communicate findings to development teams.
• Perform retesting following defect resolution.
• Support regression testing to verify that application changes do not negatively affect existing functionality.
• Maintain accurate records of completed testing activities.

Automated Testing & Playwright

• Develop, execute, maintain, and improve automated test cases using Playwright.
• Apply hands-on automation testing experience to validate application functionality.
• Support automated regression testing initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve testing efficiency through automation.
• Troubleshoot automated test failures and maintain reliable test scripts.
• Collaborate with QA and development teams to expand and improve automated test coverage.

Jira & Xray Test Management

• Use Jira to document, track, and manage software defects and testing-related activities.
• Use Xray to organize test cases, manage test execution, and maintain testing records.
• Maintain accurate defect status information throughout the resolution process.
• Track testing progress and communicate outstanding quality issues.
• Support test execution reporting and coverage documentation.
• Ensure testing artifacts remain current and accessible to project stakeholders.

Defect Identification, Tracking & Resolution

• Identify, document, and report software defects discovered during testing.
• Record clear defect descriptions, reproduction steps, expected results, and actual results.
• Collaborate with developers and QA leads to investigate and resolve reported issues.
• Retest corrected defects and verify that fixes meet requirements.
• Monitor unresolved issues and communicate risks affecting application quality.
• Support consistent defect management and resolution processes.

Regression Testing & Quality Assurance

• Plan and execute regression tests following software changes, enhancements, and defect fixes.
• Validate that previously working functionality remains operational.
• Maintain regression test cases and contribute to automation coverage.
• Support testing standards and quality assurance procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve testing consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness.
• Help ensure software releases meet applicable quality expectations.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication

• Collaborate with developers, QA leads, business analysts, and project stakeholders.
• Participate in discussions to clarify requirements and testing expectations.
• Communicate test results, defects, and quality concerns clearly.
• Provide updates on testing progress and outstanding issues.
• Support coordinated defect resolution and application validation.
• Work effectively with technical and nontechnical team members.

Testing Documentation & Process Improvement

• Maintain test plans, test cases, execution results, and coverage reports.
• Update testing documentation as software requirements and functionality change.
• Support improvements to manual and automated testing processes.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of quality assurance standards.
• Identify recurring testing challenges and recommend practical improvements.
• Maintain organized and accurate records of testing activities.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience using Jira for software defect tracking, issue management, and QA-related activities.
• 4+ years of experience using Xray for test case management, test execution, and software quality assurance.
• 4+ years of experience using Playwright for automated software testing. The requisition lists this tool as “Playwrite.”
• 4+ years of hands-on experience developing, executing, or maintaining automated software tests.
• Experience designing and executing software test cases based on functional and technical requirements.
• Experience performing manual and automated software testing.
• Experience identifying, documenting, tracking, and retesting software defects.
• Familiarity with software test case management and defect tracking processes.
• Experience maintaining test documentation and test coverage reports.
• Experience supporting regression testing activities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with software developers, QA leads, and project stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate software defects, test results, and quality concerns clearly.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a software quality assurance environment.
• Must be able to comply with the agency's hybrid work arrangement, including required on-site attendance once confirmed.
• Must physically reside within the United States throughout the assignment in accordance with Commonwealth of Virginia security policies.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications:

The requisition does not identify any additional preferred qualifications. Candidates with broader experience in enterprise software quality assurance, regression testing, and test automation process improvement may be well suited to the position, but these are not separate agency-designated requirements.

Benefits

Compensation

• Pay Range: $34 – $54 per hour

Schedule

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Work Location

• Glen Allen, VA