QA Lead (Contract)

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

Join the award-winning team that created God of War

Sony Santa Monica Studio is looking for QA Leads to support our internal projects on the PS5 platform. 

The QA Lead is responsible for the facilitation of direct development team support, operational title gameplay test planning, execution, advancement, organization, coverage, execution and communication for their assigned projects. The general purpose of this job is to provide a technically proficient, dedicated resource that is completely focused on the direct operational oversight of all internal and external title QA operational testing services for their assigned project(s), to provide effective test support, efficient test execution and accurate test results to development and production teams. This role also includes the facilitation of internal production for QA, as well as leadership of our external partnerships with our SIE and 3rd party vendor support services related to testing. An in-depth comprehension of the Santa Monica Studio development pipeline, tools, development team structure, workflows and production mindset are foundational to this role. Attention to detail is a critical requirement of the role, as is a highly communicative, amicable, adaptable, growth-minded and mature demeanor in supporting the development team.

We value those that have a mindset of OWNERSHIP, diligence in their CRAFTSMANSHIP, a commitment to PARTNERSHIP and humility in their LEADERSHIP. In turn, we will work alongside you to craft an environment that empowers and equips you with the freedom to create better, the autonomy to think better, the opportunity to grow better and the feedback to choose to “Be Better”.

Responsibilities

• The effective planning, administration, execution and communication of QA Master Test Plans and the effective incorporation of them into the software development process
• The administration and communication of all QA related project data and associated risks for all assigned projects
• The operational training, development, and delegation to assigned Assistant Leads, Sr Test Analysts and Testers
• The managing of developer support requests and efficiently balancing them with our day-to-day test services
• The balancing of tactical day to day responsibilities with the need to advance, refine and implement new QA processes and systems to further drive test service effectiveness, efficiency, accuracy and overall value
• The consistent modeling of all core SMS values in support of the SMS Mission and Vision
• The consistent modeling of all core SMS QA expectations and job profile competencies
• The learning and in depth understanding of the development team structure, discipline workflows and discipline roles
• The learning and in depth understanding of the SMS software development cycle and core development tools
• The facilitation of communication and QA support directly with the production and development teams
• Ownership of the development, tasking and execution of all operational testing for assigned projects
• Ownership over managing of project databases for assigned titles
• Partnering with assigned Assistant Leads regarding establishing an efficient relationship with clear areas of responsibility between them that is aligned with the SMS QA Team Expectations
• Partnering with the production and development team in supporting and collaborating work across disciplines to help effectively drive the project to completion
• Partnering with QA Sr Managing Producer, in the operational performance management of assigned Assistant Leads, Sr Test Analysts and Testers

Requirements 

• Responsible, strong work ethic, self-motivated and pro-active
• Minimum of 3 years in Senior Test Analyst or equivalent position in development integrated role
• Successfully shipped at least 2 AAA titles on current generation console platforms and/or PC
• Successfully completed certification and application of ISQTB® Foundation and Intermediate Level CTAL
• Demonstrated knowledge of Software Development Lifecycle
• Demonstrated knowledge of build authoring pipeline, processes, and systems
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a high pressure, high workload environment balancing multiple responsibilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of test case design well as advanced QA/QC methods
• Demonstrated knowledge of QA and game development systems, tools, and database utilization
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with advanced testing and automation methods
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Maya, Jenkins, Perforce and other common software development tools
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience authoring wiki in confluence content for technical and non-technical audience
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with 3rd party test and support services remote management
• Demonstrated knowledge of all current PlayStation development and retail hardware
• Demonstrated knowledge of all current PlayStation platform SDK’s and debug tools
• Demonstrated knowledge of TestFlo®, TestRail®, or equivalent test management software
• Demonstrated knowledge of Jenkins or equivalent automation testing tools and languages
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching and mentoring staff, both technically and behaviorally
• Demonstrated knowledge of and maturity in emotional intelligence
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent critical analysis and problem-solving skills
• Excellent gameplay skills and multi-genre experience
• Passion for video games

Preferred Experience

• BS Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Communications, BA in Project Management, Business Intelligence, or QA related field
• Successfully completed, certification and application of SQE Mastering Test Design Foundation Level
• Demonstrated knowledge of PlayStation Studios QA Operations processes, systems and workflows
• Successful completion, certification and application of ISQTB® Advanced Level CTAL
• Successful completion, certification and application of PMI® CAPM®
• Demonstrated knowledge of SMS game development applicable programming and scripting languages, such as Dart, Java, JavaScript, C, C#, C++, and Python
• Expertise in and familiarity with Agile techniques, including Kanban and SCRUM
• Expertise in QA/QC analytics
• Expertise in remote team management

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Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. 

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.