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Software Testing Jobs in Ottawa, IL (NOW HIRING)

Java Developer III

Peru, IL · On-site

$105.72K - $132.14K/yr

Lead the process of implementation planning, fit analysis, configuration, testing, rollout, and post implementation support of solution/software development * Elicit, analyze, validate, specify ...

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Software Testing information

See Ottawa, IL salary details

$19

$43

$69

How much do software testing jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for software testing in Ottawa, IL is $43.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.03 and $51.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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, test design, and bug tracking, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, and knowledge of test automation frameworks or ISTQB certification is commonly required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills help testers collaborate and report findings effectively. These skills ensure software quality, reduce defects, and facilitate smooth product releases.

What are some common challenges faced by software testers when working in agile development teams?

Software testers in agile teams often navigate rapid development cycles, requiring them to adapt quickly to changing requirements and tight deadlines. One key challenge is ensuring comprehensive test coverage despite limited time for test planning and execution. Additionally, testers must collaborate closely with developers and product owners to clarify acceptance criteria and prioritize testing efforts effectively. Strong communication and flexibility are essential to keep up with continuous integration and frequent releases.

What is software testing?

Software testing is the process of evaluating and verifying that a software program or application does what it is intended to do. The main objective is to identify bugs, errors, or missing requirements compared to the actual requirements. It can be performed manually or automated using various tools and frameworks. Software testing helps ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of software before it is released to users.

How do I become a software tester?

To become a software tester, you typically need a background in computer science, information technology, or related fields, along with knowledge of testing tools and methodologies. Gaining experience through internships, certifications like ISTQB, and learning scripting or automation tools can improve job prospects. Strong attention to detail and understanding of software development processes are essential for success in this role.

How much do software testers make?

Software testers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but the median annual pay in many regions 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 roles requiring automation tools or scripting knowledge.

What is the difference between Software Testing vs QA Analyst?

AspectSoftware TestingQA Analyst
Primary FocusExecuting test cases to identify bugsDesigning, implementing, and managing testing processes
ResponsibilitiesFinding defects in softwareEnsuring overall quality standards and process improvement
Required SkillsTesting tools, scripting, attention to detailTesting methodologies, communication, documentation
Work EnvironmentTest labs, development teamsCross-functional teams, project management

While Software Testing primarily involves executing test cases to find bugs, QA Analysts focus on designing testing strategies and maintaining quality standards throughout the development process. Both roles are essential for delivering high-quality software but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What cities near Ottawa, IL are hiring for Software Testing jobs? Cities near Ottawa, IL with the most Software Testing job openings:
Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer (Theme Park Focused)

Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer (Theme Park Focused)

CourtAvenue

Standard, IL • Remote

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Gigantic Playground, a CourtAvenue company, is a fast-growing creative technology agency that creates immersive and interactive experiences that connect people, places, and products in extraordinary ways. Our unique experience + technology approach blends creativity, immersive storytelling, and product innovation to create dynamic experiences that captivate, engage, and delight.

We're looking for a Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer to join the Gigantic Playground team. You'll play a central role in driving technological innovation for our clients - primarily in the business-to-consumer space - by crafting cutting-edge interactive experiences for their customers. The work spans exploring technology solutions, building prototypes, and shipping production-ready systems in collaboration with internal, client, and partner teams. We expect you to keep sharpening your craft, share what you learn, and push the people around you to do the same.

The ideal candidate is a skilled developer and engineer who adapts quickly, is deeply curious about emerging tech, is genuinely AI-native (beyond vibe-coding), and can discern good output from bad and lean on agents as a real force multiplier. You're self-motivated and can run independently, but you thrive in a collaborative team, prioritize end-user experience, and have a firm grasp of project lifecycles. Quality matters. Speed matters. Both, at once, in a fast-paced environment.

The Gigantic Playground team specializes in envisioning and implementing innovative ways for end-users to interact with technology, often in ways that don't look like traditional technology at all. We own the full architecture: ideation, system design, development, and installation, in partnership with our clients.

 
Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and ship production-grade systems end-to-end - frontend, backend, infrastructure, and the operational glue in between - on time, on budget, and at high quality.

  • Own technical decisions on architecture, cloud topology, observability, deployment, and security for the projects you lead.

  • Write secure, resilient, well-tested code, and hold the bar on code review for the people you work alongside.

  • Debug hard problems - production incidents, performance regressions, concurrency bugs, distributed systems weirdness - and write up what you learn so the team gets stronger.

  • Build prototypes and proofs of concept to learn quickly (hours, not days), validate ideas, and de-risk technical decisions before committing to a direction.

  • Mentor teammates and serve as the rubber duck for tougher technical problems. Make the people around you better.

  • Research new technologies and tools and contribute to refining team processes and engineering practices to deliver excellence.

  • Provide rough effort estimates and technical scope on new opportunities, and occasionally help present technical options to client stakeholders.

Core Skills & Mindset
  • Experience in systems architecture and design - can architect new systems from scratch and reason about trade-offs at the system level.

  • AI-native, well beyond vibe coding! 

  • Can be the rubber duck for teammates. Docs, diagrams, walkthroughs - you make the team smarter around you.

  • Strong full-stack chops: Web UX/UI, REST APIs, backend, DB modeling, CI/CD, and deployment automation.

  • Client-facing experience and strong presentation and communication skills.

  • Solid at requirements gathering and technical / non-technical documentation.

  • Comfortable with ALM tools (Jira, ClickUp, Git, etc.) and agile principles, including scrum and backlog management.

  • Self-driven, dynamic, and an exceptional problem-solver.

  • Able to extract lessons from both wins and losses while keeping a positive attitude about it.

  • Strong awareness of web performance - on-page and external (CDN, caching, etc.).

  • Experience with automated testing for both backend and frontend.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, systems management, or another engineering discipline - or equivalent field experience.

Requirements
  • Full-stack development experience (REST APIs, backend, DB modeling, CI/CD, Web UX/UI, HTML/CSS, mobile responsive).

  • Ability to design and develop highly reliable, fault-tolerant systems, and to lean on AI tools to produce high-quality production-ready code.

  • Proficiency in Linux/MacOS command-line tools and Bash shell scripting (Linux Server or MacOS power-user level).

  • Proficiency in automated testing and unit testing.

  • Knowledge of infrastructure as code.

  • Experience with databases

  • 5+ years of industry experience required; 7+ years preferred
Other Required Technologies (≈80% coverage)

You don't need to be world-class at all of these, but you should hit roughly 80% of this list with real depth.

  • GitHub is required - you must have an OSS repo that demonstrates your skills!
  • IDE with an agent, and a debugger with and without an agent. You should be fluent in both modes.

  • Node.js with TypeScript, including deep async/await fluency.

  • Linux server power user.

  • Infrastructure as Code - Terraform, Ansible, etc.

  • Cloud - AWS, Azure, GCP. Specifically: load balancers, VMs, security, cloud storage, cost estimation, cloud networking topologies, and cloud auto-scaling.

  • Logging and observability, including event pipelines (EventHub, Firehose, etc.).

  • Web frontend: React (and associated tooling like Webpack).

  • Docker - building Dockerfiles with complex setups and multi-phase builds. 

  • Docker Swarm - and you must hide your secrets!

  • RabbitMQ & Message Patterns

  • NoSQL DBs - Postgres, MongoDB, DocumentDB experience.

  • OpenAPI / Swagger.

  • Secure code - understanding of WEB & API attack vectors.

  • Distributed processing - concurrency, race conditions, parallel processing.

  • Caching services - programming for CDNs, ETAGs, etc.

  • Test frameworks - Chai, Mocha, or similar.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Multi-lingual - English / Spanish / Japanese. (Japanese fluency is a huge edge!)

  • Mobile / Desktop: Flutter (and other mobile tech - React Native, Swift, Kotlin).

  • MQTT or other message bus experience.

  • Python

  • Orlando-based

  • Kubernetes

  • ClickUp experience

  • Broader database experience

  • AsyncAPI

  • CMS dev and integration experience - Contentstack, especially.

  • Load testing - k6 or similar, plus architecting for load.

  • Redis cache or similar.

  • Advanced DevOps, cloud CI/CD, Ansible, and extensive container deployments at scale.

  • Background in test-driven design.

Work Environment
  • Gigantic Playground is a remote-first agency environment with team members located across the US.

Final compensation will be determined based on total related experience as well as geography.

Gigantic Playground is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Gigantic Playground recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or genetic information.

Gigantic Playground participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form (I-9) upon hire.


Gigantic Playground is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Gigantic Playground recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or genetic information.

Gigantic Playground participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form (I-9) upon hire.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.