Job Description

Software Quality Developer
6+ Month W2 Contract
San Jose, CA (hybrid)
Here's how you'll become a key player with this opportunity:
We are seeking a strong Software Engineer in Quality who can design and implement automated tests for complex backend systems. You will primarily focus on building API and end-to-end (E2E) automated tests in Java, collaborating closely with engineering to ensure our platform releases with the highest level of quality.
This role is ideal for someone who approaches QA as an engineering discipline and wants to influence quality strategy through automation.
Here's how you'll make an impact on the team:

• Build and maintain API-level automated tests for REST-based and distributed services.
• Develop end-to-end (E2E) automated workflows spanning multiple microservices.
• Write maintainable, production-quality test automation in Java.
• Contribute to the expansion and evolution of our automation framework (built around Cucumber).
• Create supporting libraries, test utilities, and test data management tools.
• Partner with backend engineers to define test plans, acceptance criteria, and testing strategy.
• Participate in design/code reviews with a focus on testability and quality risk.
• Conduct root cause analysis for failures, uncovering issues in distributed systems.
• Ensure strong test coverage for new features at API and E2E layers.
• Perform exploratory and functional testing where automation is not yet available.
• File detailed, actionable bug reports and collaborate with developers to resolve them.

Here's what you'll need to be successful in this role:

• Degree in Computer Science / Experience in Software Quality
• Strong proficiency in Java (required).
• Proven experience writing API test automation (REST, JSON, authentication, error validation).
• Experience developing end-to-end automated tests in distributed/microservices environments.
• Strong understanding of testing methodologies: integration, regression, contract testing, negative testing.
• Experience with HTTP libraries, REST-assured, or similar API testing tooling.
• Experience using Git and CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.

Here's what else might help you out:

• Hands-on experience with Cucumber, BDD frameworks, or Gherkin-based test development.
• Experience with large-scale distributed systems (Kafka, Redis, Spark, NoSQL, etc.).
• Familiarity with test frameworks or tools such as Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress.
• Experience with performance testing tools (JMeter, K6, Locust).
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Experience with observability/monitoring tools (Splunk, Grafana, Datadog, etc.).

Pay Range:
$65.00 - $70.42/hour
Benefits That Matter to You:

• NextDeavor offers health, vision and dental benefits for contract employees
• Paid sick leave eligibility is contingent on state of residence
• Optional 401k Plan (excludes employer match)

Ready to take the next step? Apply today and be part of a team that transforms businesses and fuels growth!

Skills Required