IT Quality Assurance Test Lead

Salary: $84,120.00 - $110,364.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04375
Department: Dept. of Licensing
Division: Information Services
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:
Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity.
At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.
Our Information Services Division (ISD) is recruiting for a Quality Assurance Test Lead to provide support and guidance in the testing processes and strategies to enhance product reliability and quality.
We are one of the most public facing state agencies and the second largest revenue generating agency in Washington State. We regularly interact with over 6 million Washington residents and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees annually. We know our services are essential to our customers' ability to live, work, drive, and thrive and we are committed to ensuring every resident has equitable and meaningful access to our services.
Do you have superior communication skills with technical and non-technical staff and a passion for team collaboration? If so, read on!

Duties
As a Quality Assurance Testing Lead for our DRIVES Production Support and Prorate & Fuel Tax Teams in the Information Services Division (ISD), you will coordinate and lead testing efforts for complex enterprise systems that support public safety, customer service, and statewide revenue collection. Your responsibilities will include developing testing strategies, analyzing business requirements, identifying risks and unintended impacts, and ensuring software solutions meet quality standards before deployment. You will serve as a technical leader and mentor, guiding testing staff, facilitating collaboration across project teams, and providing recommendations that support successful releases. Through strong communication, testing expertise, and knowledge of interconnected systems, you will help drive quality outcomes and continuous improvement across the agency.

Some of what you will do:

• Lead and coordinate testing efforts across multiple projects, systems, and releases.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and support to testing staff and project teams.
• Develop and execute testing strategies, plans, and test cases to ensure quality software delivery.
• Identify risks, gaps, and potential impacts across systems and recommend solutions.
• Communicate testing status, defects, risks, and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Review requirements and business processes to ensure complete test coverage and quality outcomes.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and validate complex enterprise systems and application changes.
• Improve testing processes, standards, and tools to strengthen quality assurance practices.

Qualifications
What you will bring:

• Seven (7) years of combined experience and relevant education as a QA testing professional in end-to-end testing of in-house developed applications (including web based), utilities, or automation tools.

Up to four (4) years of relevant education may substitute year for year for experience.

(Associates degree = 2 years Bachelor's degree = 4 years)
OR

• Six (6) years of demonstrated QA experience in end-to-end testing of enterprise level applications.

Experience must include the following:

• Two (2) years of experience supervising or leading technical staff.
• The ability to:
  • Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors, and decisions.
  • Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
  • Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
  • Take action to learn and grow.
  • Take action to meet the needs of others.

Experience can be obtained concurrently.
What may set you apart:

• Experience implementing, designing, or testing an Enterprise Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) solution.
• Knowledge of Drivers, Vehicles, or Prorate Fuel Tax application domains.
• Proven experience with GenTax
• Experience using Visual Studio Team System, Microsoft Test Manager (MTM) or other software test tools.
• Agile, Dev Ops, ITIL Training.
• Certification as a Lean consultant (Yellow Belt or higher).
• Testing Certification that may include the following:
  • Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
  • American Society for Quality (ASQ)
  • International Software Test Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
  • International Institute for Software Testing (11ST)

Additional Conditions of employment:

• This position will operate onsite at our Olympia, WA office locations multiple times a month.
• Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment screening, including criminal record history, will be conducted. Information from the pre-employment check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation.
For information about this position, available accommodations or the interview process, contact
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:

• Select the Apply button at the top of this job announcement.

Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Candidates who are offered a job with DOL must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.


A paycheck is just part of a total compensation package. We offer some of the nation'sbest benefit s.
We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.
Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Talent Acquisition Team . Be sure to include the title of this recruitment in the subject line.
The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io or may email the Talent Acquisition Team Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io.


The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.


We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit .
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01


Candidates who are offered a job with DOL must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02


I understand to be considered for this position I must answer all supplemental questions fully as they will act as my resume.

• Yes
• No

03


In this role you will have the privilege to serve diverse teammates, customers, and partners. How would you apply your understanding of culture differences to create an environment where everyone felt valued and had the opportunity to be successful?
04


This position will require you to work at our Olympia, WA office every other Tuesday and Thursday. This is one week remote, one week with set days in office (Tuesday and Thursday). Can you meet this expectation?

• Yes
• No

05


How many years of relevant experience do you have as a QA testing professional in end-to-end testing of in-house developed applications (including web based), utilities, or automation tools?

• I have less than 3 years of this type of experience.
• I have 3 or more years of this type of experience.
• I have 4 or more years of this type of experience.
• I have 5 or more years of this type of experience.
• I have 6 or more years of this type of experience.
• I have 7 or more years or more of this type of experience.
• I do not have this type of experience,

06


Please describe your relevant years of experience from the question above. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
07


Do you have six (6) years of demonstrated QA in end-to-end testing of enterprise level applications?

• Yes
• No

08


Please describe your relevant years of experience from the question above. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
09


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits).
• Associate degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits).
• 3 years of college (90 semester/135 quarter credits).
• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• None of these apply.

10


Do you have two (2) years of experience supervising or leading technical staff?

• Yes
• No

11


Please describe your supervising or lead experience from the question above and how it related to this position. If you do not have this experience type N/A.
12


Do you have the ability to do the following?Select all that apply.

• Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors, and decisions.
• Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
• Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
• Take action to learn and grow.
• Take action to meet the needs of others.
• None of these apply.

13


Do you have the following experience?Please select all that apply.

• Experience implementing, designing, or testing an Enterprise Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) solution.
• Knowledge of Drivers, Vehicles, or Prorate Fuel Tax application domains.
• Proven experience with GenTax.
• Experience using Visual Studio Team System, Microsoft Test Manager (MTM) or other software test tools.
• Agile, Dev Ops, ITIL Training.
• Certification as a Lean consultant (Yellow Belt or higher).
• None of these apply.

14


Do you have any of the following testing certifications?Select all that apply.

• Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
• American Society for Quality (ASQ)
• International Software Test Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
• International Institute for Software Testing (11ST)
• None of these apply

15


Do you have any Testing certifications that you would like us to know about? If you do not have testing certifications, please type N/A
16


Where did you learn of this vacancy?

• Facebook
• careers.wa.gov
• LinkedIn
• Other
• Word of mouth

17


If you answered "other" to the preceding question, please indicate where you learned of the vacancy in the space below.
Required Question