[Remote] Software Consultant, QA

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Octave is a company that provides mission-critical software to enhance decision-making across various stages of the asset lifecycle. They are seeking a Software Consultant, QA to support their North America Public Safety Regional Development and Integration team by leading automated testing efforts and ensuring product quality throughout the delivery lifecycle.ResponsibilitiesLead the design, implementation, and execution of automated tests for complex regression, integration, performance, and load testing needsAnalyze failed automated tests and customer-reported defects to expand automation coverage, reduce flakiness, and improve signal-to-noise in test resultsCommunicate actionable test results, trends, and quality risks to stakeholders across organizational levels; recommend mitigation plans and release readiness criteriaPartner with Product Owners and Developers to refine user stories, acceptance criteria, and test scenarios; drive shift-left quality practices (e.g., TDD/BDD where applicable)Work closely with functional testers and development teams to file, size, and prioritize the automation backlog; align automation work to product and integration roadmapsDrive, recommend, and implement changes that enhance product quality and automated testing procedures (framework improvements, CI integration, reporting, environment stability)Design, execute, and maintain manual and automated tests at the story, feature, and regression levels, with emphasis on interfaces and third-party integrationsUse Azure DevOps for test management, defect tracking, and traceability; ensure test evidence supports auditability and release decisionsMentor peers on automation patterns, test design, and troubleshooting; contribute to standards, tooling, and best practices across QASkills5+ years of experience in software testing/QA, including ownership of automation for complex web-based products and integrations in an Agile environmentDemonstrated advanced proficiency in automated testing, scripting, and test design methodologies (manual and automated)Ability to write and maintain robust, readable automated tests and supporting utilities; experience with Playwright (or equivalent modern frameworks) strongly preferredExperience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and working with build/release workflows to provide fast, reliable quality signalsStrong analytical and troubleshooting skills, including log review and root-cause investigation in partnership with developersProficiency with Azure DevOps (or similar) for work management, test case management, defect tracking, and traceabilityStrong communication skills with the ability to translate test results into clear risk statements and recommendations for stakeholdersDemonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision, prioritize effectively, and influence cross-functional teams through collaborationExperience with Public Safety, emergency response, or other mission-critical systems (CAD/RMS/911 workflows)Hands-on experience building automation frameworks and suites (Playwright preferred) and establishing patterns for reliability, maintainability, and reportingExperience testing APIs and integrations (REST/HTTP, message-based patterns) including contract testing and end-to-end integration validationExperience with Azure Cloud, Kubernetes, and PaaS/SaaS architectures; familiarity with observability/logging tooling is a plusWorking knowledge of SQL Server (SSMS and SQL scripting) and data validation approaches for troubleshooting integrationsCompany OverviewOctave Systems sells the highest quality, top-rated 3D Printing equipment. It was founded in 1985, and is headquartered in Campbell, California, USA, with a workforce of 5001-10000 employees. Its website is http://www.octave.com/.Company H1B SponsorshipOctave has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 1 in 2022. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.