Software Test Associate Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:
Activision is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment and products. The Associate QA Project Lead is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations on the test floor and guiding a team of QA Testers through functionality testing and compliance testing of Activision products.
Responsibilities:
• Assists and makes recommendations to the QA Project Lead in overall project management including fielding and assigning out tasks, and tracking test team effectiveness and issues across the project.
• Assists and makes recommendations to the QA Project Lead with the creation and maintenance, and auditing within DevTest.
• Assists and makes recommendations to the QA Project Lead with the completion of milestone assessment reports at Alpha & Beta in accordance with QA policies.
• Collaborates with and makes recommendations to the QA Project Lead in creating informative and accurate daily reports and may be called up to ensure consistent distribution to designated Production and Management staff.
• Contributes towards the development of effective test plans and performing standard testing on console games to verify proper function, data content, performance, usability/playability, and hardware/software compatibility.
• Assists in special projects, such as demonstrations, training, surveys, focus groups, etc.
• Assists in forming and improving QA systems and procedures by making recommendations to Leads, Sr. Leads, and Managers.
• Manages the test team on a day-to-day basis, and occasionally serves as Lead in the QA Project Lead's absence.
• Assists the QA Project Lead with a review of all issues entered by the test teams to ensure bug reports include required information and conform to Activision QA standards.
• Tracks high severity issues across the project to ensure that they are resolved for submission.
• Independently reviews and assigns out NMI issues to testers to ensure swift updates to developer and Production questions regarding issues.
• Assists the QA Project Lead with initial research and evaluation of all disputed (‘Not a Bug,’ ‘Will Not Fix,’ & ‘Duplicate’) issues.
• Updates the database after each bug sweep.
• Monitors the defect report database and other platform associated databases.
• Provides direct supervision of the test team on a day-to-day basis to ensure rapid and accurate completion of assigned tasks.
• Evaluates tester performance and recommends promotions or remediation plans to the Project Lead.
• Coaches testers to alleviate any issues that arise.
• Prepares testers for additional responsibilities, such as Senior QA Testers.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Proficient with Devtrack & Jira or similar bug tracking database.
• Able to identify defects in software titles and report defects in a clear and concise manner.
• Capacity to create and implement innovative testing procedures and materials.
• Strong working knowledge of most popular console platforms and related peripherals, PC Software/hardware, and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Has been in a leadership role (Senior QA Tester and/or Acting Associate QA Project Lead).
• 1+ year of experience working in the Activision QA Department or in a comparable Quality Assurance department.
• Possesses excellent spoken and written communication skills and be able to work with varied staff members and personalities.
• Proficient in exercising independent judgment in supervising others and/or making meaningful recommendations to senior managers with respect to decisions concerning personnel and team management.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor new employees.
• Ability to handle high pressure situations and have strong prioritization skills.
• Must be punctual, proactive, and have a strong work ethic.
• Able to work in a team environment.
• Actively communicates a positive, outgoing approach to Quality Assurance. Able to give and accept positive feedback as well as constructive criticism.
• Must be an avid gamer, with interests in many different genres of games and a passion for developing high quality games.
• A strong desire to learn and understand the technologies involved in game creation.
Company:
Activision develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment, and leisure products. It is a sub-organization of Activision Blizzard. Founded in 1979, the company is headquartered in Santa Monica, USA, with a team of 5001-10000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.