Senior QA Test Analyst

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. JOB SUMMARY Develops and supports system testing strategies, creates test plans, and maintains communication with management, peers, project teams and other stakeholders. Executes, facilitates, and organizes testing activities in support of all testing requirements related to on-cycle, off-cycle, and exception releases. This includes preparing all test data and test environment requests and actively managing those requests through completion. Selects and employs suitable processes and procedures that ensure the efficient, effective, and thorough testing of systems with input from business teams, development, and IT Support. Leads efforts with input from the business team and others to provide Project Management (PM) with estimates of testing efforts and testing resources. Creates testing timelines for projects, including milestones, and provides daily updates to the project team of progress against timeline. JOB DUTIES Understands and applies principles, theories and concepts related to the profession and ERCOT's culture. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Impact is generally limited to specific assignments or projects. May respond to inquiries and/or aid and/or guidance to lower-level workers. ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES Works on the most complex testing issues where analysis of situations requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Has the ability to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways Works with Manager, Leads and Senior QA Test Analyst to develop testing strategy and create a test plan based on the specifics of the testing effort Makes independent decisions except in instances of unusually complex business scenarios Demonstrates skills as an expert user of testing systems Identify functional, regression, end-to-end, system, and user acceptance testing to automate Develops, executes, and maintains automated tests for assigned application areas Develops test suites to validate and report ‘performance test parameters’ to management Responsible for test management, coordination, planning scripting and execution for all applications that comprises an entire business application suite Provides planning for integration release test plan and ensures all business application owners have reviewed and signed off by deadline Provides expert knowledge of business processes related to supported application area and is considered subject matter expert Skilled in risk analysis, trend reporting, communications, and negotiations Ensures all QA standards and procedures are adhered to appropriately, provides training of such standards to distributed testing teams and maintains updates as needed Supports the communication of the testing plan to management, peers, project team and other stakeholders Provides input and feedback to Manager/Senior QA Test Analyst from business team and others involved in testing effort, to provide PM with estimates of testing efforts Assists with the creation of testing timelines for projects, including milestones, and provides daily updates to the project team of progress against timeline Selects and employs suitable processes and procedures that ensure the efficient, effective, and thorough testing of systems with input from business teams, development, and IT Support Provide testing effort estimates, creates testing timelines for projects, including milestones, and provides updates to the project team of progress against timeline Coordinates and supports after hours tasks as required by the testing deliverable timelines Works closely with the QA and responsible testing team to ensure that workloads are clearly defined and coordinated to meet testing deliverable timelines. Escalates concerns to management if expected deadlines are at risk Partners with business and other project team members to create and execute test cases and scripts from the Functional Specification Document, Business Requirements Document, and Technical Design Document Documents result from test cases and scripts Analyzes and identifies system defects through integration, regression, and performance testing Identifies, effectively communicates and documents risks and assumptions for test plans and project timelines to the management Develops test suites to validate and report ‘performance test parameters’ to management Maintains expertise in the application and use of systems, integration, and tools within the department’s scope of testing to meet and anticipate impacts to testing deliverables Develops and maintains positive working relationships with Market Participants and other departments to promote customer satisfaction Ensures the appropriate documentation and adherence to ERCOT and departmental processes and procedures within the testing team Represents the testing team at pipeline, project and other status meetings as assigned Ensures clear communication of schedules and timelines, statuses, issues, mitigations, and all other information necessary for successful testing execution Experience Expert knowledge of QTEST or any other test management tool required Progressively responsible experience in a test automation developer role required Demonstrated experience in test framework design and development required Coding experience with automated test frameworks, tools, services required Ability to effectively articulate technical challenges and solutions required Excellent communication, collaboration, reporting, analytical and problem-solving skills required Experience with SQL script development and data validation required Experience with Object Orientated Programming an experience supporting web-based applications, web services and supporting technologies preferred Experience with Java-based web application frameworks preferred Experience with planning, deployment and maintenance of Selenium grid infrastructures preferred Able to work with GUI object recognition and customization required Familiarity with common source control systems and configuration management Familiarity with advanced concepts surrounding XML, SQL Server, and Oracle RDBMS Familiarity with Agile development methodologies EXPERIENCE Sr. level - Requires minimum 5 years related work experience in excess of degree requirements EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science, MIS, or related field (Required) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required Work Location: Required to be on-site at the Taylor facilities at least twice a week, or more based on the business needs and as determined by the Manager May select a hybrid work schedule of set days to work remote and on-site or choose to work on-site 100% of the time *Work arrangements are subject to business needs and are subject to change accordingly. The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law. Expected Salary Range: $120,000 - $165,000 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.