Software Development Engineer in Test: IT Quality Assurance, Journey

Salary : $85,800.00 - $115,416.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-07827
Department: Employment Security Department
Division: Information Technology Services Division
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
The ideal candidate for this Software Development Engineer in Test (IT Quality Assurance, Journey) role is a software testing professional who understands how quality assurance contributes to the successful delivery of applications in an enterprise.

Candidates with experience analyzing requirements, creating and executing test plans, documenting results, and identifying risks before software is deployed into production.
Candidates will partner with cross-functional teams to support system enhancements, new implementations, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Their work helps ensure applications function as intended and provide a reliable experience for agency staff, partners, and customers.

The Innovation & Technology Office, Information Technology Services (ITSD) Division of the Employment Security Department (ESD) manages, develops, supports, and maintains the agency's computer systems, web technologies, network and data communications and the data warehouse. It also provides technical assistance for installation and operation of personal computers and software. This full-time/permanent role is primarily telework; however, you may need to report to the office for occasional meetings or special events.
Duties
Enterprise Applications (EA) is a business area of ITSD consisting of functional teams responsible for enterprise testing, system operations and application development. This position exists on the Testing Team under Enterprise Applications and reports to the Software QA Supervisor.
Some of your duties may include:
Developing product comprehension to design Enterprise Application (EA) test plans.

• Get assignments from backlog and break down their contents.
• Investigate target data, users, and processing.
• Analyze business requirements, system specifications and related information.
• Work with development and subject-matter experts to resolve testing needs.

Setup test environment and build tests.

• Identify required resources to build test environment.
• Coordinate with developers, infrastructure and subject-matter experts to establish or update databases, hardware, software, services, permission and tools.
• Setup test environment with deployed application to test.

Create test cases, run tests, and manage test results.

• Script testing steps in test cases with simulated data inputs and expected outputs.
• Create and organize test cases under test plan.
• Execute manual and automated test cases.

To request a detailed position description, click here

Qualifications
Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:
Option 1: Six (6) years' experience as an information technology (IT) quality assurance professional.

Option 2: Associate's degree in IT or closely related field AND four (4) years as an IT quality assurance professional.

Option 3: Bachelor's degree in IT or closely related field AND two (2) years as an IT quality assurance professional.

In addition to one of the above options, you must also have the following experience:

• Experience querying relational databases.
• Experience programming scripts and/or building applications in object-oriented languages for automated testing purposes.
• Experience planning, designing, and executing manual and automated software tests.
• Experience reporting software defects.

Ability to demonstrate and adhere to the following ESD Employee Competencies:

• Accountability: Accept personal responsibility for work and actions.
• Communication Effectiveness: Effectively convey ideas and information.
• Critical Thinking: Use purposeful and reflective judgment to process, analyze, interpret, explain, evaluate, illustrate, and compare information.
• Customer Service: Commit to providing value-added services to external and internal customers.
• Inclusiveness: Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity and uses diverse perspectives to help achieve organizational goals.
• Interpersonal abilities: The ability to relate to your co-workers, mitigate conflict, and inspire others to participate.

Security: Preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ESD systems and data in accordance with the policies, procedures, and best practices established and maintained by the ESD information security team. Immediately report any Security event, incident, or breach in reporting.
Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working in a team using agile methods.
• Experience using Microsoft 365, Azure Cloud, Azure DevOps and/or Power Platform services.
• Accessibility Testing or other usability testing methods.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
• This position has access to federal tax information and therefore, per RCW 41.04.821 and the IRS publication 1075, is required to have a criminal history record check through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Please submit ONLY the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII), such as Social Security numbers etc., are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you NOT include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit ONLY your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information
Why work with us?

Ourdrive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact or at or the , prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact or or toll free , Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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

To be considered for this position, you must include a resume and a cover letter with this applicant packet.Please submit ONLY the required documents.Please indicate you have attached the required documentation.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former Washington state employee?

• Yes
• No

03

If you selected "yes" to the question above, please indicate which state agency.If this does not apply, type N/A.
04

Under RCW 73.16.010, certain military spouses are eligible for preference.Do you attest that you meet one of the following eligibility criteria?

• You are the spouse of an active-duty service member.
• You are the widow or widower of a member of the uniformed services who had a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005.
• You are the spouse of a veteran who has a qualifying discharge, as defined in RCW 73.04.005, and a service-connected permanent and total disability.
• None of the above.

05

Please select the options that best describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for the Software Development Engineer in Test: IT Quality Assurance, Journey position. Select all that apply:

• Six (6) years' experience as an information technology (IT) quality assurance professional.
• Associate's degree in IT or closely related field AND four (4) years as an IT quality assurance professional.
• Bachelor's degree in IT or closely related field AND two (2) years as an IT quality assurance professional.
• I do not have this experience.

06

Which of the following required experience do you have? Please select any and all that apply:

• Experience querying relational databases.
• Experience programming scripts and/or building applications in object-oriented languages for automated testing purposes.
• Experience planning, designing, and executing manual and automated software tests.
• Experience reporting software defects.
• I do not have this experience.

07

Which of the following preferred qualifications do you possess? Please select any and all that apply:

• Experience working in a team using agile methods.
• Experience using Microsoft 365, Azure Cloud, Azure DevOps and/or Power Platform services.
• Accessibility Testing or other usability testing methods.
• None of the above.

08

How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• ;/li>
• WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
• Washington State Employee Referral
• ESD Employee Referral
• Employment Security Department's job web page: ;/li>
• Monster
• College/university career fair or website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• VERG
• Craigslist
• CareerBuilder
• Diversity Jobs
• Handshake
• Other

Required Question