Senior Test Engineer
About The Position
Mercury is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to lead testing efforts for complex software projects by designing and executing comprehensive test strategies. The role includes mentoring junior engineers, performing advanced manual and automated testing, and working with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet functional, performance, and security requirements. The Senior Test Engineer identifies risks, recommends improvements to test engineering processes, and maintains software quality throughout the development lifecycle, with an emphasis on maximizing efficiency through automation. The role leads test planning, execution, test strategy reviews, and automation improvements. It also involves collaborating with engineers, product managers, business stakeholders, and the SET team; supporting user acceptance testing; monitoring testing metrics; improving quality practices; and coaching junior and mid-level test engineers. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and at least five years of industry experience independently working on small- to medium-sized projects and mentoring junior testing engineers. Preferred qualifications include five or more years of manual and automation testing, five or more years of Java or Python experience, and familiarity with API and web/mobile application testing. The role offers location-based salary ranges. The stated overall range is $83,670 to $161,815 per year, with ranges varying by state. In California, the typical hiring range is $98,194 to $153,428. Salary depends on relevant experience, skills, and location. An in-person interview may be required during the hiring process.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least five years of industry experience independently working on small- to medium-sized projects and mentoring junior testing engineers.
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including complex troubleshooting across multiple systems, root-cause analysis, and resolution of cross-functional issues.
- Ability to analyze complex product requirements independently, define testing approaches, and work with stakeholders to address ambiguities and gaps.
- Ability to write and maintain automated test scripts using tools such as Selenium, TestNG, or similar.
- Strong API testing experience, including use of tools such as Postman or SoapUI to validate functionality and performance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and task-specific collaboration skills, including conveying technical details and resolving immediate issues clearly.
- Ability to adapt to changing requirements, designs, implementation, technologies, priorities, work styles, and responsibilities.
- Ability to manage large, complex testing projects with multiple dependencies, coordinate priorities across teams, and meet deadlines in high-pressure environments.
- Strong product and domain knowledge, with the ability to align testing with business requirements and strategic goals.
- Advanced knowledge of testing methodologies, complex test scenarios, and automation techniques; ability to lead test strategy decisions and implement best practices.
- Exceptional attention to detail in identifying issues and potential improvements affecting product quality or user experience.
- Extensive experience with defect tracking and documentation tools such as JIRA and Confluence, including driving resolution and escalating critical defects.
Nice To Haves
- Five or more years of experience with manual and automation testing.
- Five or more years of experience with Java or Python.
- Familiarity with testing APIs and web or mobile applications.
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead comprehensive, well-documented test plans and strategies aligned with project goals; estimate testing time, resources, and effort, and use an automation-first approach for medium-sized features.
- Design reproducible, complex, cross-functional test cases that cover software requirements, and take ownership of end-to-end testing for complex projects.
- Lead manual and automated testing for multiple small features and collaborate with the team to improve automation practices and coverage.
- Create and maintain complex test cases, test results, and bug reports with detailed analysis and reproducible steps; communicate and enforce documentation and quality practices.
- Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders to clarify complex requirements and ensure features meet quality standards across the product; facilitate and guide user acceptance testing.
- Lead small process-improvement initiatives and quality assurance practices; use data and metrics to identify inefficiencies and improve testing processes and software quality.
- Research and evaluate testing tools, techniques, and methodologies; recommend and help integrate improvements, and mentor junior engineers in adopting new tools.
- Mentor and coach junior and mid-level test engineers, support their development, and foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
- Resolve testing roadblocks and lead solutions with related teams, escalating issues when necessary.
- Review and improve test strategies to ensure they align with project goals and technical constraints and provide complete, efficient coverage.
- Review test cases for completeness and accuracy and provide constructive feedback on design, coverage, and execution.
- Track, analyze, and interpret testing metrics, and use findings and direction to improve processes, coverage, and defect management.
- Create and implement test strategies, policies, and standards; contribute to process improvements and ensure adherence to quality assurance practices.
- Collaborate with the SET team to prioritize automation and improve automation coverage and testing efficiency.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Paid time off, including vacation time, sick time, nine paid company holidays, and volunteer hours
- Incentive bonus programs, potentially including holiday, referral, and performance-based bonuses
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
- Education assistance
- Professional and personal development opportunities
- Company recognition program
- Health and wellbeing resources, including free mental wellbeing therapy or coaching sessions and child and eldercare resources
- Flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States for most positions
- Engaging work environment
- Promotional opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
