QA Analyst

At Velan Studios, we foster a culture of curiosity. Our games embrace diversity and are fueled by the adventurous spirit of our team. We are the creative minds behind titles like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, Knockout City, and Hot Wheels Rift Rally; as well as the upcoming releases Midnight Murder Club and Bounce Arcade! Our studio's mission is to pioneer groundbreaking gaming experiences and reimagine play in new ways. We're committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and revolutionizing the industry one game at a time.

If you’re experienced in quality assurance and have a passion for games, we would love to hear from you!

Role Summary

The QA Analyst role is an integral part of the QA Team and will support various services within the game delivery lifecycle, such as Test Management (including test planning, test execution, and test reporting), Issue Tracking (logging and retesting issues), and advocating for quality throughout the game delivery process. Additional responsibilities include overseeing game features throughout the delivery lifecycle, serving as the QA liaison for delivery teams and the broader QA team to help plan and execute testing, escalating risks and issues, and managing overall QA reporting for these features. The QA Analyst will also be involved in more complex QA initiatives, including resource facilitation, data analysis, risk management, and functional testing of higher complexity features.

Responsibilities

• Conduct manual testing of game features and mechanics, identifying and reporting defects using a bug tracking system.
• Review and test game builds to verify bug fixes, monitor build status, and flag blocking issues.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure quality, accuracy, and provide feedback on game features and design.
• Participate in daily build test sessions to prevent blocker or critical issues from being introduced.
• Take ownership of game features by being embedded in scrum teams, focusing on testing needs, risks, and executing test plans.
• Mentor and coach newer analysts in innovative testing techniques, supporting their development and contributions.
• Analyze and utilize data to make informed decisions and recommendations for quality improvements.
• Facilitate clear communication with Producers, Delivery, QA Leads, and team members, escalating issues when necessary.
• Test game compatibility across supported consoles and devices, applying experience to reproduce challenging bugs.
• Assist with lead duties, such as writing status reports and collaborating with QA Engineers to innovate technical QA services.

Requirements

• Minimum 2-4 years of Professional QA experience
• Industry level understanding of software quality assurance concepts, debugging processes and procedures (ex: ISTQB)
• Familiarity with PC, Console, and Mobile platforms
• Leadership skills to include successfully handling ambiguity, flexibility, and understanding of the development process, while maintaining good relations with producers and developers
• A passion for Quality Assurance and Testing as well as for games and gaming technology
• Strong understanding of the software development life cycle and its application to QA.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on accurate and timely reporting as well as building and developing strong internal and external relationships.
• Strong observational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional organization and time management skills, with experience in Scrum/Agile environments as a plus.
• Capable of taking ownership of project requirements with minimal supervision.

Big plusses

• Some background in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other coding is preferred but not essential
• Experience with Jira for task management and bug tracking
• SQL Server experience (Select, Joins, Import, and Extraction)

The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below* per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations. In addition to your salary, our comprehensive compensation package includes various perks, such as potential annual bonuses (though they are not guaranteed), health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and flexible time-off benefits.

Salary Range: $45K - $55K

Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.