QA Analyst

POSITION SUMMARY: The Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for creating, analyzing and executing all test activities throughout the Software Development Life Cycle to ensure our systems meet the business functional requirements and technical quality standards set by the IT Department. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: THE FOLLOWING ARE THE USUAL, BASIC AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION. HOWEVER, THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE PERFORMANCE OF OTHER DUTIES BY THE INCUMBENT. THESE FUNCTIONS ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES, AND SKILLS REQUIRED: • Participate in design level discussions to understand the applications functional and non-functional requirements • Analyze user stories/requirements for validity, identifying gaps and developing test scenarios • Identify and thoroughly analyze issues, risks and action items along with identifying business and system requirement as part of the project team • Create and manage test plans, test cases and test estimates • Conduct manual and/or automated test activities including creating, executing and maintaining test scripts for various testing phases (system, end to end, regression. etc.) • Validate test output and identify/investigate discrepancies and clearly document, report and track defects to resolution • Assists in test environment management activities including running builds, troubleshooting, communicating and coordinating with team members • Provide status and/or QA reports to QA project leads, project team and manager as required • Collaborate with project managers, developers and business end-users to understand the goal of the project/work assignments, the test efforts and/or to resolve any issues identified • Manage small to medium project independently as required • Mentor and train associate and specialist QA team members • Research and recommend QA process improvements • Perform other duties and projects as assigned REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: • Self-motivated, detail orientated individual with solid Analytical and Critical Thinking skills • Clear, effective verbal and written communication skills • Ability to actively listen, problem solve and communicate effectively with both technical and business users. • Ability to gather, research, compile and organize data in a logical, presentable manner • Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, including ability to plan and organize with minimal assistance, completing assignments without direction and taking independent action, when appropriate • Ability to quickly learn new concepts and software and multi-task to meet aggressive goals with high-quality standards • Solid understanding of Software Quality Assurance practices and varied test methods • Ability to evaluate, apply reason and previous experience to determine the appropriate test coverage, test tools, common routines and best practices • Ability to work as an individual and as part of a team REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: • Four-year college degree, preferably in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering or related IT discipline or equivalent work experience • Minimum 3 years of hands on experience as a software Quality Assurance Analyst • Intermediate working experience in backend testing (MS SQL) • Experience in software development projects using Agile or Waterfall methodologies • Solid experience with defect tracking software, including understanding how to properly document a defect and provide defect reports PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS: • Experience testing Guidewire Products (Policy Center, Billing Center or Claim Center) • Experience with RUP, Rally and Jenkins • Familiarity with automation frameworks and tools such as TestNG or Junit, Selenium or QTP • Property and Casualty insurance experience • Any relevant IT certification PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • This position requires the ability to sit, hear, converse over the telephone, and key frequently on a computer for long periods of time. • This position may require some limited overnight travel to complete training programs, activities, and meetings.