Software Quality Assurance Positions
There are several types of software quality assurance jobs. Within the software industry, however, most of these positions fall under the category of software tester. Software testers attempt to discover flaws or problems in the operation of the software they work with. Software test managers are in charge of directing the operations of groups of software testers, making sure that each area of the software is fully examined. Lead software testers are in charge of a particular aspect of the software being tested; some concentrate on the interface of the software with the customer, while others may examine problems with how the software operates on different types of computers. These latter types of testers are known as compatibility testers. Still other testers concentrate on the actual code of the software to determine how efficient this underlying code is. These individuals are known as functionality testers.
Day-to-Day Tasks of a Software Quality Tester
Software testers work for computer companies, which means they are usually working with high-end computers in comfortable, well-lit, and very clean environments. If the product being tested is in what is commonly called ''productivity'' software (such as word processing or other business application software), the environment is very much like an engineering business: Testers may work in offices or cubicles, wear professional clothing, and keep regular 9 to 5 business hours. However, quality testers working in videogame software are much less formal. Hours are far more flexible, with an informal dress code and less structured management. Game software testing will usually involve game consoles and other game-specific tools as well as desktop computers.
Productivity software testers concentrate on the stability and reliability of the software in question. They test for ''bugs'' that can damage the computer or render the software inoperable. They also test for what are called ''usability'' problems; issues that may cause problems for users in terms of understanding how to use the software. Game software testers do all these things, but also must concentrate on the ''playability'' of the game, the flow between areas of the game, and whether the game has a sufficient ''fun factor.''
In all cases, the role of the tester is essentially the same: Use the software in as many types of settings and with as many possible permutations to see if the software ''breaks'' or exhibits ''bugs.'' These bugs are then noted using special testing software to record the issues with the bug, when it occurred, possible reasons for the bug, and suggestions on how to fix it. This data is then ''regressed'' and routed back to the area of the development team responsible for that type of problem.
Software Quality Assurance Job Requirements
Jobs for quality assurance testers in manufacturing or business applications are usually expected to require at least a two-year technical school or bachelor's degree in computer science, as well as additional technical degrees or certifications. The process for hiring for quality assurance jobs in the US is similar to many other engineering jobs, with an ability to work with complex technical specifications a must. Programming skills are often required, as well as familiarity with various types of QA software applications (such as Microsoft RAID, for example). Specifications for game QA testers are far less stringent. Training in QA applications or computer software is considered a bonus, although knowledge of computer games and common game platforms is considered far more important.
Advancement
While many software tester positions may start out as part-time or unpaid positions, candidates who show a knack for spotting bugs are often able to parlay their skills into actual full-time positions as quality assurance testers working for temp services that provide QA personnel to software companies. A full-time position as a quality assurance tester can also provide an excellent path towards a career as a junior game designer.
Software Quality Tester Salaries
Salaries for software QA technicians range from non-paying volunteer positions (common in the video game industry) to hourly wages based on experience and the complexity of the test project. Median salaries for full-time software QA technicians are approximately $59,306 yearly.
Locating Software Quality Tester Jobs
Most jobs for quality assurance testers are filled via trade magazines or online job sites. Companies specializing in productivity software are more likely to look for trained technicians with a computer science background; many of these companies hire temporary staff from service bureaus and temp agencies. Computer game companies often compile databases of possible testers from customer surveys.
Conclusion
Overall, the number of computer quality assurance jobs in the US is increasing each year as new software and computer systems are brought to market. The expansion of the videogame industry has provided a particularly rich source of potential jobs.