Senior Videogame Tester

Senior Videogame Tester (Remote)

Seismic Squirrel LLC

Job Title: Senior Videogame Tester

The Role: Validate game functionality by performing structured test cases and ad-hoc exploratory testing from the player's perspective. Develop and execute test plans to verify against requirements and discover defects in pre-release software. Test software for reliability, consistency, absence of product defects, and compliance, working closely with production and development staff to debug issues, efficiently and effectively identifying software problems. Assist in creating detailed reports of defects for development staff daily.

Our Games: Narrative-centric single-player videogames set in an alternate-history 1930s New York City.

Experience: Senior level, 5+ years of professional experience testing videogames on PCs, consoles, and mobile devices.

Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Company Size: ~24

Pay Rate: $38 - $45 CAD per hour – Depends on skills and experience.

Job Type: Contract-to-Hire (see below)

Overview

We are looking for a creative and resourceful Senior Videogame Tester with effective testing skills, a clear understanding of QA best practices, a logical and systemic thinker with an iterative approach to work, a collaborative spirit, excellent communication skills, and an enthusiasm for RPG and turn-based videogames.  The ideal candidate enjoys working with talented fellow testers, writers, artists, designers, engineers, marketers, and management, with a drive to create a fun and cohesive gameplay experience, able to empathize with both new players and with experts of the genre.

The ideal candidate communicates effectively in a small cross-functional remote team environment, clearly presenting their ideas to stakeholders.  They bring a passion for working within an iterative and creative development environment, having a collaborative spirit and an enthusiasm for videogames.

This is a hybrid position which requires regular team collaboration during our company's core work hours of 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Seattle time, attending relevant team meetings (e.g. daily scrums, retrospectives, sprint planning, and showcase meetings), and some onsite time working in our Edmonton test lab.  Occasional calls during late evenings may be expected to meet with international collaborators.  The option to convert to full-time employee may be available to ideal candidates, depending on their skills, fit, project needs and schedule, and timing.

Quests

• Assist in the leadership of our test efforts to find and document bugs and other quality deficiencies to ensure a high-quality player experience.
• Validate enhancements and bug fixes.
• Mentor and develop the QA Team as an integral part of the greater development team.
• Work with Engineering and Production to identify and test our games on appropriate hardware and supported platforms: e.g. Windows, Mac, Steam Deck, Xbox, PlayStation, and mobile smartphones and tablets.
• Coordinate with external testing efforts.
• Develop and execute test plans and test cases.
• Create reports on product quality.
• Research and champion tools and processes which could contribute to product quality.
• Reproduce issues reported by players and vendors.
• Represent the customer as their advocate for quality and value.
• Use our bug tracking software (Jira) to communicate QA concerns within the greater team.
• Suggest creative and effective solutions for all elements of product quality, including design, programming, art, and narrative.
• Actively collaborate with the development team, openly communicating on progress and problems, helping us to set realistic project timelines and expectations.
• Assist in the coordination and execution of internal and external focus testing
• Balance and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, working within agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Engage in various other tasks and duties according to their interests and abilities.

Character Stats

• 5+ years of professional experience testing videogames on PCs, consoles, and mobile.
• Understands videogame testing best practices.
• Has an enthusiasm for and a familiarity with many videogame titles and genres, past and present.
• Familiar with UI and UX conventions of modern videogame design.
• Understands non-linear narrative structures and the complexities they introduce for testing.
• Shares our studio's love for history and storytelling.
• Self-disciplined, motivated, a self-starter with a drive for excellence.
• Skilled at providing guidance and supervision to junior team members.
• Organized, detail-oriented, able to work fast and loose or carefully with quality when each is needed.
• Courteous and patient, able to give and receive constructive and inspirational feedback gracefully.
• Able to work effectively with people having a variety of personalities and backgrounds.
• Excellent at problem-solving, resourceful, able to find solutions when needed.
• Adept at balancing and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines, working within agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Adaptable: The job can change according to the needs at hand and requires wearing various hats.
• Skilled at working remotely using various collaboration tools.
• Possesses strong written, visual, and verbal English language communication and presentation skills.
• Passionate for the videogame industry and inspired to grow within it.
• Experienced using Unity and testing games within the engine.
• Proficient in business productivity tools, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio.
• Enthusiastic to learn new tools, technologies, and techniques.

Bonus Points

• Experienced in test automation techniques and tools.
• Experienced in videogame programming and/or design.
• Familiar with design diagramming techniques using UML.
• Proficient in digital art and modeling tools (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Blender).
• An avid TTRPG player.
• Multilingual.

The Company

Seismic Squirrel is a talented and passionate team of both industry veterans and enthusiastic newcomers.  We share a strong desire to tell fascinating stories supporting engaging gameplay mechanics.  Our nimble size allows for everyone to have a voice in the projects we create, demanding the ability to be both detail-oriented and flexible.

For more information about Seismic Squirrel, go to http://www.SeismicSquirrel.com/

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity for you and you're located in Edmonton, AB, please submit both your Résumé and your Cover Letter to Seismic Squirrel.

- 5+ years of professional experience testing videogames on PCs, consoles, and mobile devices - Clear understanding of QA best practices and an iterative approach to work - Ability to develop and execute test plans and test cases to verify requirements - Experience in identifying, debugging, and creating detailed reports of defects - Familiarity with UI and UX conventions of modern videogame design - Understanding of non-linear narrative structures and testing complexities - Self-disciplined, motivated, and a self-starter with a drive for excellence - Skilled at providing guidance and supervision to junior team members - Excellent written, visual, and verbal English language communication skills - Proficient in business productivity tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio) - Able to work effectively in a cross-functional remote team environment with some onsite presence in Edmonton