QA BA/Tech Writer
The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $55,000 / year
- Austin, TX
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Job highlights
- Test applications for quality and compliance.
- Write test plans and documentation.
- Perform accessibility and security scans.
- Track and manage software defects.
- Work remotely for a university.
About the role
QA BA Tech Writer
At Technology Resources (TRecs), we aim to provide information technology that empowers university units to better serve the campus community. Our objective is to deliver secure, reliable, and responsive IT systems, solutions, and support. Learn more about Technology Resources at: https://business.financials.utexas.edu/trecs
Your skills will make a difference. You will be working for a globally recognized university known for its academic programs and research. Your work will directly impact university staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you seek work with purpose and impact, you will thrive in our department and at UT Austin. UT Austin offers an exceptional benefits package, including:
- Competitive health benefits (100% employee premiums, 50% family premiums)
- Voluntary vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options
- Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
- Teachers Retirement System of Texas (defined benefit plan)
- Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: 403(b) and 457(b)
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and childcare expenses
- Robust free training via LinkedIn Learning and professional conferences
- Tuition assistance
- Expansive employee discount program
- Free access to UT Austin libraries and museums
- Free rides on UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses
For detailed information, visit: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards
Must be authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing, full-time basis without sponsorship.
Purpose
Support software quality, accessibility compliance, and application reliability across TRecs applications by performing quality assurance testing, defect analysis, accessibility validation, and contributing to QA processes and documentation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain QA documentation, including test plans, test cases, accessibility reports, standard operating procedures, and training.
- Partner with developers, product owners, and stakeholders to analyze application requirements and define test strategies ensuring functional accuracy, usability, and compliance.
- Design, execute, and maintain manual test cases for web applications, including regression, smoke, and exploratory testing.
- Track, document, and manage defects in Jira, including clear reproduction steps, severity assessment, and communication with development teams.
- Perform accessibility testing using tools such as Microsoft Accessibility Insights and validate compliance with WCAG standards and university accessibility policies.
- Conduct security and vulnerability scanning using tools (such as ZAP or similar) and document findings for remediation.
- Analyze testing results and system behavior to identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement; communicate findings through reports and dashboards.
- Prioritize tasks and manage workload across multiple applications with minimal supervision.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of QA processes, workflows, and governance practices across TRecs applications.
Required Qualifications
- One or more years of relevant experience OR demonstrated academic/project experience in quality assurance, business analysis, or software testing.
- Experience leading automation projects, testing web applications, executing test cases, and validating results in a black box setting.
- Experience identifying and documenting defects with clear, actionable detail.
- Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG, W3C standards) or willingness to learn.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams.
- Self-managed and highly motivated with the ability to thrive in a developing environment.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree with over two years of experience in QA, business analysis, or software testing.
- Experience with accessibility, security, or QA process improvement initiatives.
- Experience with accessibility testing tools like Microsoft Accessibility Insights or similar.
- Experience with security testing tools such as ZAP or similar.
- Experience using Jira or similar defect tracking tools.
- Familiarity with automated testing frameworks (e.g., Playwright, Selenium).
- Experience in Agile or iterative development environments.
- Experience with UT Austin administrative systems or similar enterprise environments.
- Experience with data, reporting tools, or dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing technology and priorities.
- Experience working with diverse groups and organizational levels.
- Willingness to learn, experiment, and contribute to building QA practices from the ground up.
Salary Range
$55,000+ depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
This position is fully remote. Standard office keyboard.
Work Shift
Monday - Friday, 8 hours Daily
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with contact information (at least one supervisor)
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants NOT current university employees: Upload your resume upon first application; an option to upload a new resume will be provided for subsequent applications. Additional required materials (letter of interest, references) are uploaded in the Application Questions section. Ensure ALL required materials are uploaded before submitting. Applications cannot be changed after submission.
Important for current university employees/contingent workers: Apply via Workday by searching 'Find UT Jobs.' Log into Workday, go to your Worker Profile, click 'Career' in the left navigation, and update your Professional Profile before applying. Your application will pull this information. Respond to application questions to upload additional required materials. All required materials must be uploaded.
Employment Eligibility
Regular staff employed for the last six months are eligible for University-Wide or Open Recruiting openings. Promotion/transfer eligible staff may apply without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility
The retirement plan is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), provided the position is at least 20 hours per week and 135 days in length.
Background Checks
A criminal history background check will be required for finalists.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We comply with all federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We are committed to equal opportunity for all persons and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs, activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency
The University of Texas at Austin will not discriminate against employees or applicants regarding pay inquiries, discussions, or disclosures. However, employees with access to compensation information as part of their job functions cannot disclose it to those without access, unless it's for formal complaints, investigations, or legally required.
Employment Eligibility Verification
If hired, you must complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form with acceptable, original documents proving identity and work authorization by the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in termination.
E-Verify
The University of Texas at Austin uses E-Verify to check work authorization for all new hires. Company ID: 854197. See E-Verify Poster and Right to Work Poster for more information.
Compliance
Employees may be required to report law violations under Title IX and the Clery Act. If designated a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided reporting resources. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires notification of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. Access the report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Key skills/competency
- Quality Assurance
- Business Analysis
- Technical Writing
- Accessibility Testing
- Defect Management
- Web Application Testing
- Jira
- WCAG Standards
- Regression Testing
- Exploratory Testing
Skills & topics
- QA
- Quality Assurance
- Business Analyst
- BA
- Technical Writer
- Tech Writer
- Testing
- Software Testing
- Web Application
- Accessibility
- WCAG
- Jira
- Remote Work
- University
- Austin
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant experience in QA, business analysis, technical writing, and specific tools like Jira and accessibility standards.
- Craft a compelling letter of interest: Clearly articulate your motivation for the QA BA Tech Writer role at UT Austin and how your skills align with their mission.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with web application testing, defect identification, and familiarity with WCAG or security scanning tools.
- Demonstrate soft skills: Emphasize your analytical abilities, communication skills, and self-management, especially for a remote role.
- Understand university benefits: Research the comprehensive benefits package, including health, retirement, and professional development opportunities, to show your interest.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for the QA BA Tech Writer position at The University of Texas at Austin?
- The QA BA Tech Writer position at The University of Texas at Austin is fully remote. While the work is remote, standard office keyboard usage is expected.
- What are the key responsibilities of a QA BA Tech Writer at UT Austin's Technology Resources department?
- The QA BA Tech Writer is responsible for developing and maintaining QA documentation, performing quality assurance testing, analyzing application requirements, executing test cases, tracking defects in Jira, conducting accessibility and security testing, and contributing to QA process improvements.
- What qualifications are required for the QA BA Tech Writer role at The University of Texas at Austin?
- Required qualifications include one or more years of relevant experience or demonstrated academic/project experience in QA, business analysis, or software testing. Experience in leading automation projects, testing web applications, identifying defects, and strong communication and analytical skills are also necessary. Familiarity with accessibility standards is required or a willingness to learn.
- Does The University of Texas at Austin offer sponsorship for this QA BA Tech Writer position?
- No, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing, full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship for this QA BA Tech Writer position.
- What is the salary range for the QA BA Tech Writer position at UT Austin?
- The salary for the QA BA Tech Writer position starts at $55,000 annually, with the exact amount depending on the candidate's qualifications.
- What tools are commonly used in the QA BA Tech Writer role at UT Austin?
- The role involves using tools such as Jira for defect tracking, Microsoft Accessibility Insights for accessibility testing, and potentially ZAP or similar for security scanning. Familiarity with automated testing frameworks like Playwright or Selenium is also preferred.
- How does The University of Texas at Austin support its employees' professional development?
- UT Austin supports employees through robust free training access via LinkedIn Learning, professional conference opportunities, and tuition assistance for eligible individuals.
- What are the benefits of working as a QA BA Tech Writer at The University of Texas at Austin?