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QA Tester at Guidehouse in US - VA, McLean
Job Description
QA Tester
Location: US - VA, McLean
Job Family:
Software Engineering (SWT)
Travel Required:
Clearance Required:
The Mid-Level Software Quality Assurance Tester supports an agile software modernization program by planning, executing, and documenting manual and automated testing of Java-based applications hosted in Amazon Web Services (AWS). Working with moderate independence, this role validates application functionality, APIs, integrations, databases, data exchanges, and legacy-system interfaces; develops and maintains automated regression tests using industry-standard test automation tools; and collaborates with cross-functional teams to confirm that releases meet business, technical, security, accessibility, and operational requirements.
What You Will Do:
We are seeking a mid-level tester with practical experience testing Java applications in AWS and hands-on experience using automated testing tools to support a large-scale GrantSolutions platform modernization effort. The tester will independently complete assigned testing activities, identify and communicate quality risks, and help ensure that cloud-hosted capabilities are reliable, secure, accessible, data-consistent, and ready for release.
The tester will translate user stories and acceptance criteria into test scenarios; execute end-to-end, integration, API, database, and regression testing across AWS environments; log and retest defects; prepare test data and evidence; and build reusable automated tests for stable, repeatable scenarios. The role contributes to—but is not expected to architect—the program’s automation framework, AWS-based CI/CD quality gates, test processes, and release-readiness reporting.
Review user stories, acceptance criteria, Java application designs, API specifications, data mappings, and AWS environment documentation to identify test conditions and expected results.
Create, execute, and maintain manual test cases for functional, system, regression, smoke, integration, API, database, data validation, and user acceptance testing.
Develop, enhance, and maintain automated test scripts, reusable components, test data, locators, and regression suites using appropriate automated testing tools.
Use automated testing tools to test web user interfaces, REST or SOAP APIs, databases, and end-to-end business processes, as applicable.
Execute automated tests across AWS-hosted test environments; analyze results, logs, screenshots, and execution evidence; troubleshoot failures; and maintain tests as the Java applications evolve.
Test Java-based application components and their interactions with AWS services, APIs, databases, authentication services, data exchanges, legacy systems, workflows, reports, and downstream systems.
Validate application behavior across AWS environments and use available application, cloud, and pipeline logs to support defect isolation and root-cause analysis.
Prepare and manage test data, capture test evidence, maintain requirements traceability, and document testing outcomes.
Log defects with clear reproduction steps, expected and actual results, severity, AWS environment details, and supporting evidence; participate in defect triage and verify fixes.
Collaborate with Java developers, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, AWS and DevSecOps engineers, integration and data teams, security specialists, vendors, and business stakeholders throughout the sprint and release lifecycle.
Support automated test execution in CI/CD pipelines, scheduled regression runs, and release validation; investigate failures and improve test reliability with senior QA and DevSecOps staff.
Contribute to test estimates, sprint planning, test coverage reviews, release-readiness assessments, quality metrics, and continuous improvement of AWS and automated testing practices.
What You Will Need:
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD Public Trust; candidates must receive approved adjudication before onboarding. Candidates with an active Public Trust or suitability determination are preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required.
FOUR (4) years of experience in software quality assurance, application testing, system testing, or a related technical role.
Hands-on experience testing Java-based web applications, services, APIs, integrations, and data flows.
Hands-on experience developing, maintaining, executing, and troubleshooting automated tests using one or more automated testing tools or frameworks.
Experience creating reusable automated test components, managing test data and locators, applying validations, and interpreting automated test results.
Experience testing applications deployed in AWS environments and working with cloud-hosted application components, APIs, databases, logs, and multiple test environments.
Hands-on experience creating and executing functional, system, regression, integration, API, smoke, database, data validation, and user acceptance tests.
Experience with defect tracking, test management, requirements traceability, test evidence, test data preparation, and defect retesting.
Working knowledge of the software development lifecycle, agile delivery, DevSecOps concepts, version control, AWS-based CI/CD pipelines, and release management.
Ability to interpret Java application behavior, user stories, acceptance criteria, business rules, API contracts, data mappings, and technical design documentation.
Ability to troubleshoot test failures, analyze automated test execution results and application or AWS logs, isolate defects, and clearly communicate findings and quality risks.
Strong documentation, analytical, collaboration, and communication skills.
Ability to manage assigned testing responsibilities with moderate supervision in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and release timelines.
What Would Be Nice To Have:
Experience supporting Java application or platform modernization in an enterprise or government environment.
Experience using Subject7 for web, REST or SOAP API, database, reusable-component, data-driven, scheduled, parallel, or CI/CD-integrated test automation.
Familiarity with common AWS services used by Java applications, such as Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, Amazon RDS, AWS Lambda, Amazon CloudWatch, or related services.
Ability to read basic Java, SQL, JSON, XML, and application logs to support testing and defect investigation.
Experience with Jira, Confluence, Git, Jenkins, AWS CodePipeline, Azure DevOps, or comparable delivery and test-management tools.
Exposure to Section 508 accessibility requirements and automated or manual accessibility testing practices.
Familiarity with containerized Java applications, security testing, performance testing, or AWS observability tools.
ISTQB, Subject7, AWS, agile, testing, automation, cloud, or security certification.
What We Offer:
Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.
Benefits include:
Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
Employee Referral Program
Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
Care.com annual membership
Employee Assistance Program
Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
About Guidehouse
Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.
Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.
All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.
If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.
Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.