Salary : $85,800.00 - $115,416.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: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
DescriptionThe 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.DutiesEnterprise 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 hereQualificationsQualifying 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 InformationMore 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 BenefitsEmployees 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 CompensationState 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 SecurityAll 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 ForgivenessIf 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 require
