Sr Software Quality Assurance Engineer (Hybrid or Local Remote)

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.

As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.

The California ISO's function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company's planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently—managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own—making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

The California ISO is committed to the health, safety, and work/life integration of its employees, and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position is available in a flexible hybrid or local remote schedule.

Relocation assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Manager, applies test engineering and product knowledge in the design of tests and testing strategies for the validation and quality assessment of CAISO production software products. Applies technical and process knowledge to ensure testing processes are aligned to the CAISO quality practices, including security, performance, integration and functional testing (for adapters). Responsible for establishing and maintaining the Software Test Automation and Performance Test Engineering code base, the integration and security testing posture, and assessing the appropriate level and depth of testing needed for ISO software releases, with input from the Quality Assurance Lead as necessary. Leads technical improvements for CAISO Enterprise Test Methodology, procedures, guidelines, and tools to ensure continued operational excellence. Provides technical or process training to other staff as required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Responsible for the planning and execution of the optimum level of Security, Integration and Performance Tests, assessing test results and making recommendations for areas and prioritization to address variances and performance tuning as needed, including recommendations to the QRB, with inputs from the Quality Assurance Lead. Establishes testing methodologies, standards, tools and techniques for Security, Integration, Load/Performance Test Engineering and functional testing for adapters.
   
• Leads technical aspects of test planning, determines the quantity and quality of tests, and ensures requirements are testable and software meets ISO’s requirements. Responsible for estimation of Integration, Security, Performance, and Functional tests (for adapters) as well as Test Automation efforts. May receive guidance from the Quality Assurance Lead when needed. Optimizes the sequencing and scope of technical testing aspects to drive lower Total Cost of Quality for ISO solutions. 
   
• Leads testing teams, related to the quality of tests and test records, to ensure all ISO software meets or exceeds the established quality standards and drives sustained reduction in defect escape rates to higher environments.
   
• Establishes and maintains ISO Performance and Test Automation framework, performs code-reviews and maintenance of related scripts.
   
• Establishes and maintains ISO product baseline tests and incremental test labs/cases and evidence for software security, performance and integration.
   
• Provides input on enterprise level test framework architecture, integration, and security principles related to software testing as well as high-value optimal scope for test automation.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Information Technology, Management of Information Systems, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.  Master’s Degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus five (5) or more years related experience.

Certifications:

Testing certifications from reputable organizations such as ISTQB desirable.

Type of Experience:

Experience in software quality assurance in one or more areas: software performance testing, UI test automation tools, or web service testing. Experience in an IT software development and maintenance environment with an emphasis in test automation, tool selections, and software quality assurance. Familiarity with IT best practices. IT Service Management (Change, Configuration, Problem Management), or Process management concepts. Experience with test automation tools and VBS for UFT; Python, SQL Python for Selenium or equivalent. Proficiency in performance testing tools, and web service testing. Security Testing, performance testing and transaction analysis, integrating automated tests within HP ALM desired. Experience with tools such as ALM, Jira and Confluence. UFT, Selenium or equivalent. Load Runner Professional, Parasoft SOA Test, SOAP-UI, HP Quality Center (ALM), Linux, Windows, Oracle, SQL, XML, VB Script, Python, Perl, Java Script, SPLUNK SPL, Rest API, JSON, Kafka.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.  Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail.  Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.  Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential.  Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations.  Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority. 

The pay range for the Sr Software Quality Assurance Engineer at the CAISO is $108,225 - $180,375 per year.