Software Quality Assurance Associate

Title: Software Quality Assurance Associate

Location: Chicago, IL OR New York, NY (in-office hybrid)

Our client is seeking a Quality Assurance Associate who will focus on designing, building, and executing testing to support rapid development and ensure seamless, compliant operation of the firm’s instrument
, exchange
, and clearing platforms. This role is suited for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and plays a key role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of core financial technology systems.

• Develops and executes manual and automated test cases to ensure new products and features meet requirements.
• Assists in building and maintaining the automated test platform supporting high-performance, high-throughput exchange and clearing systems.
• Partners closely with product and engineering teams to review, triage, and resolve defects.
• Maintains proficiency in modern testing methodologies and best practices.

• Performs rigorous testing across all interfaces, including internal systems and external connectivity (e.g., FIX protocol, proprietary binary messaging formats, inbound/outbound file formats).
• Tests administrative and customer user interfaces using automated tools such as Playwright as well as manual test cases.
• Validates functionality, data integrity, security compliance, and performance under expected production load conditions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in quality assurance or software testing, preferably within financial services or trading environments.
• Experience with testing tools such as Cucumber, Playwright, and JUnit, including test reporting and analysis.
• Exposure to derivatives (futures, options) and financial markets is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Java, Python, FIX Protocol, and SQL; familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker, Sigma) is a plus.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and attention to detail.