1

Bug Tester Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Dell 1 Identity Manager, AWS/Cloud, Automation experience, OIM, bug fixes, * Always doing application upgrades * Looking to take the burden off of the team (from testing perspective) * Want a QA who ...

Dell 1 Identity Manager, AWS/Cloud, Automation experience, OIM, bug fixes, * Always doing application upgrades * Looking to take the burden off of the team (from testing perspective) * Want a QA who ...

This testing activity may take place in the field (at Independent Shops, Auto Dealerships and Auto ... Daily data entry into bug tracking program. * Taking recordings of vehicle data when required by ...

This testing activity may take place in the field (at Independent Shops, Auto Dealerships and Auto ... Daily data entry into bug tracking program. * Taking recordings of vehicle data when required by ...

This testing activity may take place in the field (at Independent Shops, Auto Dealerships and Auto ... Daily data entry into bug tracking program. * Taking recordings of vehicle data when required by ...

iOS Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53.25 - $73.50/hr

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: • Develop and implement mobile applications for iOS mobile devices, including coding, bug fixing, unit testing. • Work in an agile development environment (Scrum/Kanban ...

iOS Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53.25 - $73.50/hr

Develop and implement mobile applications for iOS mobile devices, including coding, bug fixing, unit testing. Work in an agile development environment (Scrum/Kanban) Monitor and support released ...

Oracle PDH Consultant

Schaumburg, IL · Remote

$65 - $82/hr

Perform unit, integration, system, SIT, and UAT testing . * Support data conversions, integrations, migrations, and production bug fixes. * Create and schedule reports and maintain relevant Subject ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Bug Tester information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11

$39

$64

How much do bug tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for bug tester in Chicago, IL is $39.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.07 and $52.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a bug tester?

A Bug Tester, also known as a QA Tester or Software Tester, is responsible for identifying and reporting software defects before a product is released. They test applications, websites, or games to ensure they function correctly, meet requirements, and provide a good user experience. Bug Testers document any bugs they find and work with developers to get them fixed. Their role is crucial in maintaining software quality and preventing issues that could affect users.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a bug tester?

Bug Testers are responsible for reviewing new and existing software to identify, document, and report defects or inconsistencies. On a daily basis, you can expect to execute test cases, use bug tracking tools to log issues, and communicate findings with software developers and product managers. The role often involves both manual and automated testing, regression checks, and participating in regular team meetings to discuss project progress and prioritize fixes. This variety ensures that Bug Testers play a crucial part in delivering high-quality, user-friendly software products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the bug tester position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Bug Tester, you need a keen eye for detail, analytical thinking, and a solid understanding of software development and testing processes, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with bug tracking systems (like Jira), automated testing tools, and at times relevant certifications (such as ISTQB) is highly beneficial. Strong communication skills, persistence, and teamwork make candidates stand out in this position. These abilities ensure that software products are thoroughly tested, issues are clearly documented, and effective collaboration occurs between development and quality assurance teams.

How can I become a bug tester?

To become a bug tester, gain knowledge of software development and testing processes, and develop skills in using testing tools and bug tracking systems. Many testers have a background in computer science or related fields and may pursue certifications like ISTQB. Entry-level positions often require attention to detail and good communication skills.

How do you become a bug tester?

To become a bug tester, you typically need a good understanding of software development and testing processes, often gained through self-study, online courses, or certifications in quality assurance or testing tools. Entry-level positions may require familiarity with bug tracking software and basic programming knowledge, with some roles valuing attention to detail and analytical skills.

What are popular job titles related to Bug Tester jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Bug Tester jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Bug Tester jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Bug Tester jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Bug Tester job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,261 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Penetration Tester, Frontier AI Evaluation

Cobalt

Mundelein, IL • On-site

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

About the role:

Cobalt is seeking experienced penetration testers to contribute expert reasoning, technical problems, and evaluation data used to train and assess frontier AI models on security tasks.

This opportunity is suited to people who test systems for a living or have done so: penetration testers, red team operators, vulnerability researchers, exploit developers, application security engineers, and serious bug bounty hunters, whether from consultancies, internal security teams, or independent practice.

You do not need prior experience in data annotation or AI research. What matters is that you can find and reason about real weaknesses in software and infrastructure unaided, and that you can document how you got there clearly enough for another practitioner to follow.

All work is performed against sandboxed environments and purpose-built targets supplied by us or by the lab. We do not accept work performed against systems you are not authorized to test, and we do not accept material obtained without authorization or covered by a client agreement.


What you'll do:

Depending on the project, you may:

  • Produce written testing traces on security tasks, capturing how you form and test hypotheses, what you rule out and why, and how you arrive at a working approach, rather than only the end result
  • Author novel security problems, capture-the-flag style challenges, and lab environments with verifiable success criteria
  • Evaluate model-generated security content and code, ranking responses, explaining what makes the stronger one stronger, and identifying the specific step at which the technical reasoning breaks down
  • Assess whether stated findings are supported by the underlying evidence, and identify inconsistencies between reported results and what the target actually does
  • Design rubrics and partial-credit criteria for scoring multistep testing and remediation tasks

Projects follow their own guidelines, scope rules, and quality standards, and you will work with feedback from reviewers and lab research teams.


Required qualification:

  • Demonstrable penetration testing experience, evidenced by professional engagements, published vulnerability research or CVEs, a substantive bug bounty record, competitive CTF results, or comparable work
  • Strong hands-on coding ability in at least one of Python, C, C++, Go, Rust, or JavaScript, sufficient to read unfamiliar codebases and write your own tooling rather than only running existing tools
  • Depth in at least one area, for example web and API security, cloud and container security, network and infrastructure testing, mobile security, or binary exploitation and reverse engineering
  • Ability to explain each step of your reasoning clearly in writing, and to produce documentation another practitioner could reproduce
  • Willingness to work strictly within defined scope and authorization, and to sign a confidentiality agreement covering project materials

Certifications such as OSCP, OSWE, OSEP, GPEN, or GXPN are useful but not required.


Why join Cobalt AI:

  • Advance frontier AI where it counts. Apply your testing expertise to data that frontier labs cannot obtain any other way, where your judgment directly shapes how the next generation of models reasons about security.
  • Grow professionally. Expand your influence through evaluation projects, advisory roles, and research collaborations, while developing a working understanding of how frontier models are trained and assessed.
  • Work with a top-tier network. Collaborate with security practitioners and researchers from leading organizations on high-impact, flexible work.
  • Set your own schedule. Flexible 10 to 40 hour weeks that fit around your existing engagements and your life.
  • Competitive pay. Rates vary by project and are determined by a number of factors, including scope, skillset, and experience.