Software Tester Job Description

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Table Of Contents

Learn about the important requirements, obligations, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a software tester job description.

A software tester designs and runs test plans for new software to ensure usability and identify bugs. Also known as a quality assurance (QA) analyst, quality assurance engineer, or automation tester, a software tester documents problems and communicates them to developers.

Are you looking to add a software tester to your staff? You can create your first job posting and list it on ZipRecruiter for free! You also might want to check out our guide to the top free job posting sites.

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Software Tester Job Description Template

We are looking for a skilled software tester to evaluate, document, and report on our company’s software programs. In this role, you will design test plans and cases based on business requirements, perform manual and automated tests, and analyze results to identify bugs and inconsistencies. The successful candidate will have coding chops, be results-driven, and have top-notch communication skills.

Software Tester Responsibilities

  • Review specifications and business requirements

  • Design test cases, plans, and procedures

  • Perform manual testing or run automated software testing programs

  • Identify and document bugs and inconsistencies in software, apps, and systems

  • Communicate findings to developers and stakeholders

Software Tester Requirements 

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related area

  • Knowledge of software testing software tools, such as Selenium, IBM Rational Robot, and Hewlett Packard LoadRunner

  • Understanding of quality assurance best practices

  • Excellent analytical, communication, listening, and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to work as a member of a team with software developers and stakeholders

Software Tester Duties And Responsibilities

Create Test Plans

Software testers create test plans, cases, and processes for new software releases. They should be familiar with different testing techniques, such as functional, regression, and ad hoc testing, and know which to use for various systems. Candidates should be able to assess user needs and prioritize testing.

Perform Software Testing

Software testers conduct software testing of software, systems, websites, and applications. Depending on the employer’s needs, software testers may perform manual or automated testing activities. Industry knowledge may be required for some sectors, especially at the management level.

Related: Highest Paying Tech Jobs

Document Bugs and Inconsistencies

Documentation plays a crucial role in software testing, tracking problems and issues to create a road map for the software development team. Software testers create and maintain testing documentation. They may also contribute to preparing and delivering reports to other team members.

Gather Requirements From Stakeholders

To be successful in this role, candidates need top-notch communication skills, as well as technical ability. Software testers are responsible for gathering business requirements from key stakeholders and estimating resource requirements. Testers refine these estimates during the testing process.

Provide Feedback to Software Development Team

Software testers are responsible for providing feedback to software developers, web developers, engineers, and stakeholders. During this process, they also review ways to resolve any issues and improve functionality.

Software Tester Salary And Job Outlook

Median National Salary: $69,754 per year, according to ZipRecruiter

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs: 196,300 in May 2021, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 21%

The Bottom Line

To find the best software test candidates for your open roles, interview technical and business stakeholders to identify the key qualifications and skills. Your needs will vary depending on your industry, products, and testing processes.

Ready to hire skilled software testers near you? Post your job listing on ZipRecruiter today. You also might want to check out our guide to the top free job posting sites to post your listing to various places!