Test Architect

**Test Architect**

**Permanent**

**Cape Town**

**Purpose of the Job**:

- Develop and implement test automation frameworks
- Ensuring data quality in the test environments
- Monitoring of the test environment status e.g., data quality, scheduled and unscheduled downtimes, performance and readiness
- Provide technical leadership and support the creation of complex tests
- Advise the customer on innovative testing products and solutions
- Define and administer standard testing architecture methodologies, processes and tools across all engagements
- Improve quality practices across functional and non-functional testing
- Support the strategic direction of our Continuous Testing & Assurance Practice
- Running of the technical Community of Practice
- Review the scripting from the QA Engineers and ensure our agreed standards are met and maintained
- Ensure the infrastructure needed for our technical testing solutions is in good working order, fit for purpose and used efficiently
- Collaborate with other business units to understand how automation can improve workflow
- Gather requirements from clients, customers or end-users to develop the best automation solutions

**Job Objectives**:
Test script generation and review
- Identify what to test by translating functional and business requirement specifications into testable test plans and test cases.
- Identify and document key test scenarios.
- Document or automate the test cases.
- Determine the prerequisites.
- Determine the test criteria.
- Record the expected results.
- Review final test cases with test lead.
- Obtain sign-off.

Test prerequisites compilation
- Identify required test materials.
- Obtain test material, e.g. test data, infrastructure, framework (changes / updates).
- Identify the required test environment.
- Ensure test environment setup, e.g. test server access and test logins.
- Prepare test results pack for results recording and sign-off.

Test execution and recording
- Execute the automated scripts / test suites
- Record test results.
- Compare actual results against expected results or review automation run results and debug any script failures
- Report, record and assign defects identified.
- Retest / rerun and update on fixed defects.
- Execute / run regression tests.
- Maintain the test environments.
- Consolidate landscape execution reporting and assess the automation health
- Ensure the automation is being utilised and still adding value
- Integrate with the devops team and set up automation execution as part of the test execution pipelines

Maintenance of high quality and accuracy
- Ensure Quality Assurance of all testing activities.
- Maintain test documentation to reflect current system operations. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Support improvement of testing process and initiatives.
- Continued maintenance and upkeep of the automated scripts and or framework where applicable
- Research and trail new ways of work and technologies with the view of continuous improvement

Test status updates
- Provide feedback to the development team and ensure the work is carried out in accordance with the schedule and the quality requirements.
- Inform management of any negative trends in the quality of software in pre
- and post-production.
- Provide estimates and feedback to the Team Lead for project scheduling purposes.
- Ensure effective communication with key stakeholders.
- Prepare and maintain test tracking report.

Test closure activities
- Handover of test artefacts to people who need it in the future, e.g. manuals to the Test Analysts on how to utilise the delivered automation
- Participate in project retrospectives and contribute and document lessons learned
- Archive test work products, like test results, test logs, test status reports etc.

**REQUIREMENTS**:

- Formal Education Grade 12 - essential
- Diploma or Degree qualified (IT or related technical) - essential
- ISTQB
- Ideally 5+ years plus experience as a Test Architect
- Experience in setting up a test framework from scratch and improving existing frameworks to be more efficient and effective
- Experience in defining and implementing test processes in the organization across multiple projects
- Experience of identifying the appropriate techniques, tools and guidelines to implement the required tests and to give guidance on the corresponding resources requirements for the test effort
- Must have strong understanding of scripting/programming/computer architecture
- Possess a track record of successful managing highly complex test programs on schedule, to budget and quality standards for test automation specific projects
- Experience of the full software project lifecycle (waterfall, agile, DevOps) and a technical appreciation of IT systems and solutions
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Proven experience in managing test tools and environments to support test programs
- Has delivered test maturity assessments, providing and successfully im