1

Software Tester Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer II

Burr Ridge, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Experience with software testing practices, including unit and integration testing. * Working knowledge of Agile development methodologies and modern software delivery practices. * Strong analytical ...

Our teams have influenced billions of products, plus services, software offerings and more. We ... UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software ...

Experience with software testing practices, including unit and integration testing. * Working knowledge of Agile development methodologies and modern software delivery practices. * Strong analytical ...

Automation Tester

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47.50 - $62.75/hr

The role involves designing test plans, developing automated testing scripts, and collaborating in the software development lifecycle to enhance product quality. Responsibilities : • Design and ...

An understanding of software testing methodologies, including functional, regression, smoke, and ... integration testing * Curiosity about applying AI/LLM-based tooling to test automation problems ...

Showing results 41-60

Software Tester information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$19

$44

$72

How much do software tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for software tester in Chicago, IL is $44.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.47 and $54.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software tester?

A software tester conducts the QA (quality assurance) testing phase of the project lifecycle. Responsibilities include examining software or websites as a user would—as it will be used post-release. During these test cases, the software tester records any issues (“bugs”) and reports them to the development team so they can be fixed. A software tester explores the software with a critical mindset, assesses the functionality and overall experience, and reports their findings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Tester, you need a solid understanding of software development life cycles, attention to detail, and knowledge of testing methodologies, often supported by a degree in computer science or related certifications. Familiarity with testing tools such as Selenium, JIRA, and experience with automated and manual testing systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help testers identify, document, and resolve issues efficiently. These skills ensure software quality, minimize defects, and contribute to successful product releases.

What are some common challenges software testers face when collaborating with developers, and how can these be effectively addressed?

Software testers often encounter challenges such as communication gaps with developers, differences in understanding requirements, and tight deadlines for bug fixes. These issues can lead to misunderstandings about defect severity or unclear expectations regarding test coverage. Effective strategies include maintaining open, respectful communication, participating in agile ceremonies like daily stand-ups, and using collaborative tools to track issues and share feedback. Building strong professional relationships and fostering a culture of mutual respect greatly enhances teamwork and leads to higher-quality software.

What is the difference between Software Tester vs QA Analyst?

AspectSoftware TesterQA Analyst
CertificationsISTQB, CSTEISTQB, CSTE
Work EnvironmentTesting teams, development projectsQuality assurance teams, project management
Industry UsageSoftware companies, IT firmsSoftware companies, IT firms
Primary FocusExecuting test cases, finding bugsDesigning test plans, process improvement

While both Software Testers and QA Analysts work to ensure software quality, Software Testers primarily focus on executing test cases and identifying bugs. QA Analysts take a broader role in designing testing strategies and improving quality processes. Both roles require similar certifications and are integral to software development teams, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

How much do software testers get paid?

Software testers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but the average annual pay ranges from $50,000 to $80,000. Entry-level testers typically earn less, while those with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in competitive markets or with experience in automation tools.

Is a software tester a difficult job?

A software tester's job involves identifying bugs and verifying software functionality, which can be challenging depending on project complexity and deadlines. It requires attention to detail, knowledge of testing tools, and often involves repetitive tasks, but it can be manageable with experience and proper training.

Is software testing still in demand?

Software testing remains in demand as companies prioritize quality assurance and software reliability. Testers with skills in automation tools like Selenium and scripting are especially sought after, and the role is expected to grow with ongoing technological advancements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Tester jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Software Tester jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Software Tester jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Software Tester job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Tester job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,292 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Software Engineer, Test & Infrastructure III

Vail Systems Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$113K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Who You Are
You catch problems before they explode-testing edge cases and degraded paths others overlook so production fire drills can be prevented. You care deeply about the tools you use and create, shaping the internal frameworks and pipelines your team depends on. Your work validates millions of real-time customer interactions every day, from web to telephony platforms, and you're always growing through peer reviews, knowledge sharing, and mentoring. You thrive in flexible, human-centered environments where hybrid collaboration and sustainable engineering aren't just buzzwords, but the way you work. If you love building robust, high-throughput test platforms as much as we do, we'd love to hear from you!
At Vail, our QA Engineering team is deeply technical-we don't just validate features, we build the frameworks and infrastructure that test real-world signaling flows, analyze media quality, and run performance tests that mimic millions of live voice and web sessions. We're engineers at heart, with a QA-first mindset and a passion for building robust, scalable systems that reveal issues before our customers do.
What You'll Do
  • Lead Automation Development: Design, develop, and maintain scalable, reusable automation frameworks that improve reliability, maintainability, and engineering efficiency across multiple products.
  • Own Complex Test Automation: Build and maintain automation for functional, integration, regression, and performance testing across distributed applications, APIs, and telecommunications platforms.
  • Advance Test Infrastructure: Enhance internal automation tools, testing libraries, and CI/CD workflows that improve quality, reduce manual effort, and accelerate software delivery.
  • Strengthen CI/CD Pipelines: Design and optimize automated test execution within Jenkins and containerized environments, ensuring dependable and repeatable validation throughout the software development lifecycle.
  • Analyze and Resolve Complex Issues: Investigate failures across applications, services, databases, and infrastructure using logs, metrics, and diagnostic tools to identify root causes and improve automation resiliency.
  • Lead Performance Validation: Develop and execute performance, load, and stress testing strategies that accurately model production workloads and identify system bottlenecks before release.
  • Collaborate Across Engineering: Partner with Software Engineering, Product Management, DevOps, and Operations to improve system quality, release readiness, and overall testability.
  • Provide Technical Leadership: Mentor engineers through code reviews, automation design discussions, and troubleshooting while promoting engineering best practices across the QA organization.
  • Drive Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives that expand automation coverage, improve framework architecture, increase test reliability, and elevate engineering productivity.

Qualifications - We encourage you to apply if you think your experience may be a match, even if you do not meet all of the qualifications.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
  • Experience: Typically, 4-7 years in software development, test automation, or QA infrastructure engineering.
  • Programming Skills: Strong proficiency in one or more of Ruby, Java, C#/.NET, C++, Perl, or Python.
  • Automation Frameworks: Experience designing, building, and maintaining scalable automation frameworks using JUnit, TestNG, PyTest, RSpec, Selenium, Cucumber, or equivalent technologies.
  • CI/CD & Containers: Experience developing and maintaining automated testing within Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and modern CI/CD pipelines.
  • Distributed Systems: Strong understanding of distributed systems, REST APIs, microservices, Linux environments, and network fundamentals.
  • Performance Engineering: Experience developing and executing load, stress, and performance testing while analyzing application behavior under production-scale workloads.
  • Databases: Solid understanding of SQL and NoSQL databases for data-driven testing.
  • Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex issues across multiple systems.
  • Technical Leadership: Experience mentoring engineers, leading code reviews, driving technical initiatives, and collaborating across Agile teams.
  • Preferred Qualification: Demonstrated experience leveraging AI technologies to enhance software testing, test automation, defect analysis, and engineering productivity, with the ability to drive AI adoption and best practices across a Quality Engineering team.

$113,450 - $132,000 a year
The base salary range provided is determined by market data matched to the job description and the level of the position, based in our industry and the Chicagoland area. We often consider candidates who do not meet all the qualifications listed in the job description (i.e., more or less years of experience, etc.). Therefore, an offer for this position may differ from the base salary range provided depending on the qualifications/skills of the candidate. In this case, an updated pay scale would be provided.
Who We Are
At Vail, we believe in the unique power of voice interactions to create more expressive, more intimate, and more efficient interpersonal interactions. Using Vail technology, we make millions of voice interactions better every day. We process around 10% of all toll-free call traffic in the U.S.; 1 in 10 times, when someone calls a customer support hotline, Vail is routing or interacting with that call.
We are rapidly growing across multiple dimensions, including our customer base, the scope of products we offer, and the size of our team. Now is the right time for a strong candidate to join and grow with us. We have a supportive culture where employees are encouraged to achieve both personal and team goals because we believe growth leads to both business impact and personal fulfillment.
We offer competitive compensation and affordable benefits with flexibility and choice to meet individual and family (including Domestic Partnerships) needs, including:
  • Multiple medical, dental, and vision plan options
  • Company-paid life insurance, short and long-term disability
  • 401(k) savings plan with company match (50% on first 6% of employee contribution)
  • 35 days total annual PTO
  • Annual Bonus Program
  • Paid maternity and paternity leave
  • Relocation allowance
  • Employee referral bonus
  • Gym membership
  • Technical and Professional Development stipend

We are striving to implement and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment for all employees by sourcing underrepresented groups and continually empowering those individuals within our organization to further enrich Vail's communication solutions. We recognize that equitable and unique individuals benefit our teams' problem-solving, innovation, and development efforts.
Our offices are located in Deerfield and Chicago, IL. Interviews and onboarding are conducted in our offices when possible. We observe a hybrid work format that provides employees with the flexibility to collaborate with team members based on business needs.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.