Software Tester / QA Analyst 3 (Test / QA Lead)

Job Title: Software Tester / QA Analyst 3 (Test / QA Lead)
Work Type: On-site
Industry Category: Information Technology – Healthcare / Public Sector
Employment Type: 1099 Contract
Requisition ID: 801840

Location
Richmond, Virginia, United States

Overview
The Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA), supporting the Department of Corrections (DOC), is seeking an experienced Software Tester / QA Analyst 3 to serve as a Test / QA Lead. This role is critical in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable software solutions through strong quality assurance leadership, structured testing practices, and close collaboration with technical and business stakeholders.

Application

• Submission Deadline: May 11, 2026
• Candidates must be able to work and interview in person
• Maximum of 2 submittals per vendor per opening
• Candidates previously submitted to Req ID 797964 will not be considered

Job Description
The Test / QA Lead is responsible for defining, managing, and executing the overall quality assurance strategy across projects and releases. This role leads end-to-end testing efforts throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring alignment between requirements, test coverage, and business expectations.

You will work closely with development teams, product owners, and business stakeholders to mitigate risks, establish QA standards, and ensure system readiness for release. The ideal candidate brings experience building or enhancing QA programs, including establishing testing standards, templates, procedures, and best practices. This position plays a key role in driving quality outcomes, supporting release decisions, and ensuring successful delivery in a healthcare-related environment.

Responsibilities

Quality Assurance Strategy & Leadership

• Define and own the overall QA and testing strategy across multiple projects and releases
• Establish QA standards, governance processes, and best practices
• Provide leadership and direction to QA resources and cross-functional teams

Test Planning & Execution

• Lead test planning, execution, and reporting across functional, integration, system, regression, and UAT phases
• Develop and maintain test plans, test cases, test scripts, and traceability matrices
• Ensure comprehensive test coverage aligned with requirements and acceptance criteria

Defect Management & Risk Mitigation

• Oversee defect tracking, prioritization, and resolution processes
• Provide risk-based testing recommendations and release readiness assessments
• Deliver go/no-go input for production releases

Tools, Automation & Environment Management

• Utilize test management and defect tracking tools effectively
• Support implementation and use of automated testing frameworks and tools
• Oversee test environments and test data preparation

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate QA activities across internal teams and third-party vendors
• Lead UAT efforts and collaborate with business stakeholders
• Communicate testing progress, risks, and outcomes clearly to stakeholders

Operational Support

• Participate in release planning and go-live activities
• Support critical testing cycles, including occasional extended hours as needed

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in software testing and quality assurance
• 2+ years of experience in a QA Lead, Test Lead, or similar role
• 3+ years of experience with SDLC, Agile, and/or Waterfall methodologies
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with test management and defect tracking tools
• 2+ years of experience with automated testing frameworks and tools
• 3+ years of experience leading UAT and working with business stakeholders
• 2+ years of experience in healthcare environments
• Must be able to work onsite in Richmond, VA
• Must be able to interview in person
• Must physically reside within the United States for the duration of the assignment (no offshore candidates permitted)

Preferred Qualifications

• Not specified

Benefits

Compensation

• 1099 Contract Role
• Hourly Rate: $36 – $56 per hour
• Maximum rate aligned with vendor submission cap

Schedule

• Start Date: June 1, 2026
• End Date: February 16, 2027
• Work Arrangement: On-site
• Occasional extended hours required during critical testing cycles and releases

Work Location
6900 Atmore Drive
Richmond, VA 23225
United States

• 100% on-site role
• Candidates must be able to commute and work in person daily