What does a test specialist do?
A test specialist is responsible for evaluating and running diagnostic tests for system networks and applications to ensure stability and efficiency according to the quality standards. Test specialists analyze the system's features and write findings reports for improvement and technical resolutions. They also help system engineers in developing infrastructures and designing servers to support business operations and maximize productivity. A test specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying malfunctions and inconsistencies before the actual launch of deliverables.
Test specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real test specialist resumes:
- Create weekly drive routes and work with RF engineers to achieve desire coverage.
- Manage defects and finalize testing documents to meet standards of IBM's QA process.
- Validate the UI and backend of web base applications that are used to manage medical information.
- Lead UAT testing for the local project, as well as maintained test activity logs, reporting status to management.
- Deal with clients or their representatives during the entire SDLC, UAT and post releases.
- Defect reporting and tracking using ALM.
- Used JIRA to follow developers code modifications and changes updates.
- Test JAVA applications and entertainment on feature phones and iDEN devices.
- Participate in project status meetings, QA reviews, and development sessions.
- Involve in planning, coordinating and executing project tasks in daily scrum meetings.
- Estimate the effort require for all the SDLC phases and deliver several successful releases.
- Offer full-time UAT position after graduating from college (respectfully decline to accept software developer job).
- Work with various teams of cellular RF design and development engineers to help deliver high quality product releases.
- Perform the set-up, alignment, calibration, test, and troubleshoot circuits, PC boards, and systems.
- Attend daily scrum meetings, weekly meeting with development team, reporting project status and setting goals to complete.
Test specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Test Specialists are proficient in Test Results, Test Cases, and Java.
We break down the percentage of Test Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Results, 7%
Communicate test progress, test results and other relevant information to project stakeholders and management.
- Test Cases, 7%
Developed, executed, and reported results of specialized test cases for voting system functionality and conformance to federal regulatory requirements.
- Java, 6%
Created, updated and maintained Selenium WebDriver Regression on JAVA (CORE and OOPS).
- Test Data, 4%
Prepared test data and execute test transactions to evaluate system functionality and verify correctness of system modifications.
- Test Scripts, 4%
Identified automated test scripts and developed test suite for automation using Selenium.
- Regression, 4%
Executed Test Conditions based on functional specifications and regression requirements (positive and negative).
Common skills that a test specialist uses to do their job include "test results," "test cases," and "java." You can find details on the most important test specialist responsibilities below.
The three companies that hire the most test specialists are:
- Deloitte67 test specialists jobs
- Bank of America38 test specialists jobs
- SpaceX23 test specialists jobs
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Test specialist vs. Quality assurance team leader
A quality assurance (QA) team leader is an individual who is responsible for managing a team of engineers from the quality assurance department of an organization to participate in the overall QA planning and activities. QA team leaders are required to play the key role as a member of the project management team to ensure that the product exceeded user expectations. They must develop and implement QA processes and supervise daily QA activities to maximize quality and productivity. QA team leaders must also prepare and report audited results to the organization's site senior management.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between test specialists and quality assurance team leader. For instance, test specialist responsibilities require skills such as "test cases," "test equipment," "troubleshoot," and "client facing." Whereas a quality assurance team leader is skilled in "manual test cases," "dev," "project management," and "data warehouse." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, quality assurance team leaders reach similar levels of education than test specialists. Quality assurance team leaders are 4.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Test specialist vs. Quality assurance engineer
A Quality Assurance Engineer's role is to oversee the overall production and ensure that the product is cost-efficient and aligns with the company's standards. The responsibility mainly revolves around conducting activities that examine and scrutinize the condition of a product or service to identify issues and come up with possible solutions to resolve the issue or attain stronger customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the Quality Assurance Engineer must also ensure that the product adheres to the government regulations and market guidelines.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that test specialist responsibilities requires skills like "test cases," "test procedures," "test equipment," and "troubleshoot." But a quality assurance engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "api," "c++," and "c #."
Quality assurance engineers earn higher levels of education than test specialists in general. They're 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Test specialist vs. Senior quality assurance tester
A senior quality assurance tester manages junior quality assurance staff. They test documents, lead testing procedures, and ensure customer satisfaction. They also work with an engineering development team to make updates to software.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, test specialists are more likely to have skills like "test procedures," "test equipment," "troubleshoot," and "client facing." But a senior quality assurance tester is more likely to have skills like "data validation," "ui," "etl informatica," and "data warehouse."
Senior quality assurance testers typically earn higher educational levels compared to test specialists. Specifically, they're 11.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Test specialist vs. Quality assurance consultant
A quality assurance consultant specializes in recommending and optimizing quality-control procedures ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They typically conduct research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current quality control operations, implement solutions on problem areas, review policies and regulations, and coordinate with other staff to gather necessary data, analyzing them to find new opportunities for improvement. Furthermore, as a quality assurance consultant, it is essential to recommend solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its mission and vision.
Types of test specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
