QA Software Engineer

A QA Software Engineer is a vital member of the game development team and is responsible for ensuring the quality and stability of the video game before its release. Their primary role is to develop and implement comprehensive testing strategies to identify and report any deficiencies, bugs, or issues that may arise during the game development process. They closely collaborate with Programmers and Game Designers to understand the mechanics, features and goals of the game, enabling them to design effective testing plans and test cases.

 

A QA Software Engineer performs various types of testing, including functional testing, regression testing, performance testing and compatibility testing to confirm the game’s functionality, user experience and performance on different platforms and hardware configurations. They use specialized software tools for bug tracking and management, document test results and communicate issues to the development team for resolution. Additionally, they collaborate with other team members to improve the overall quality of the game, providing feedback and suggesting improvements or optimizations to ensure players have an enjoyable gaming experience.

Tools

Jira

TestRail

Selenium

JMeter

Git

VirtualBox

PlayStation SDK

Wireshark

Crucible

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER TEAMS:

A QA Software Engineer closely collaborates with various other positions in the gaming industry to ensure successful development and release of high-quality games. They collaborate with Programmers and Game Designers to understand the mechanics, features and goals of the game. This collaboration enables them to develop effective testing plans and test cases aligned with the intended functionality of the game and user experience. They provide valuable feedback to the development team, helping them identify and resolve any errors or issues that may arise during the testing process.

 

Additionally, a QA Software Engineer often collaborates with Producers and Project Managers to determine project timelines, prioritize tasks and communicate progress and any identified risks or challenges. They may work with Artists and Audio Engineers to ensure that the visual and audio elements of the game function as intended. They engage with Localization teams to test and verify game functionality in different languages and cultural contexts. This collaboration ensures that the game development process remains efficient and that the final product meets desired quality standards, providing players with a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

Skills

Depending on seniority, this position is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Hard skills

  • Software testing and quality assurance
    • Is familiar with various testing techniques, test case design, test execution, error tracking and test result analysis.
  • Programming and script writing
    • Applies knowledge of programming and scripting languages in developing and executing automated tests and creating test scripts.
  • Game development knowledge
    • Understands game development process, engines and technologies specific to games, knows mechanics and rendering pipelines.

Soft skills

  • Eye for detail
    • Identifies the smallest bugs, inconsistencies, or issues in the game, tests various aspects of the game to ensure they meet desired quality standards.
  • Communication skills
    • Clearly articulates findings, bugs and test results, provides concise and comprehensive reports, communicates potential risks or issues.
  • Problem-solving abilities
    • Thinks critically, devises creative solutions, is adaptable and resourceful, analyzes and understands the root cause of problems.

Seniority

Depending on seniority, this position is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Junior

  • Executes test cases and follows test plans to ensure thorough testing, accurately documents and reports any issues or bugs encountered during testing.
  • Actively participates in teamwork, communicates effectively, provides ideas, asks questions, seeks guidance, contributes to a cooperative work environment.
  • Demonstrates willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, technologies and testing methodologies, is open to feedback and is receptive to constructive criticism.
  • Independently resolves basic problems, has a fundamental understanding of common software errors, can identify their causes and propose solutions.

Medior

  • Plans and develops comprehensive testing strategies, defines testing objectives, identifies key focus areas and prioritizes based on project goals and constraints.
  • Possesses strong analytical skills and diagnoses complex bugs or issues, identifies patterns, trends and potential root causes, accurately documents errors.
  • Has a good understanding of testing frameworks and automation tools, designs, develops and maintains automated test scripts to streamline testing processes.
  • Mentors and guides juniors, shares knowledge and experience, helps others improve skills and understand testing, actively contributes to team discussions.

Senior

  • Creates and executes all testing plans for complex projects, analyzes project requirements, identifies testing goals and defines multi-dimensional test coverage.
  • Designs and implements automation testing frameworks, devises sustainable automation solutions and provides technical leadership.
  • Understands performance testing methodologies and tools, conducts thorough performance testing, analyzes performance and identifies areas for improvement.
  • Contributes to process improvement initiatives and advocates for quality throughout the game development, understands best industry practices and testing trends.
QA SOFTWARE ENGINEER // GAME TESTING //
QA SOFTWARE ENGINEER // GAME TESTING //

EDUCATION:

If you are interested in a career in video game testing, formal education in software testing, quality assurance, or video game development may be beneficial. Consider enrolling in courses or educational programs that cover software testing methodologies, bug-tracking tools, and quality assurance practices. Understanding the fundamentals of game design, programming, and game art will give you valuable context and insight into the game development process. Look for programs that offer hands-on experience in software and game testing, as hands-on training is necessary to develop the critical skills needed for these roles.


In addition to formal education, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions can be an excellent route to joining the industry. Participating in beta testing programs or contributing to independent projects can also provide you with relevant experience and help you build a portfolio. Networking with industry professionals, whether through online communities or industry events, can provide you with opportunities to learn from experienced testers and gain insight into industry expectations and requirements. Paying great attention to detail, excellent communication skills and a passion for gaming will be key factors in getting a position in this field.

Resources

Books

  • “Introduction to Game Testing” – Charles P. Schultz
  • “Game Testing: All in One” – Charles P. Schultz
  • “The Game Localization Handbook” – Heather Maxwell Chandler, Stephanie O’Malley Deming
  • “Software Testing: A Craftsman’s Approach, Fourth Edition” – Paul C. Jorgensen
  • “The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses” – Jesse Schell

Individuals

  • Angie Jones (@techgirl1908)
  • Alan Page (@alanpage)
  • Fiona Charles (@FionaCCharles)
  • Michael Bolton (@michaelbolton)
  • Lisa Crispin (@lisacrispin)

What does the interview for this position look like?​

News

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QA SOFTWARE ENGINEER // GAME TESTING //
QA SOFTWARE ENGINEER // GAME TESTING //