Junior Software QA Engineer
Location: Chicago, Illinois Work arrangement: Hybrid — three office days and two remote days per week Employment: Full-time Salary: $68,000–$82,000 per year Reports to: QA Lead
About the role
Common Kite Learning is hiring a Junior Software QA Engineer to help test our web-based training platform across desktop and mobile browsers.
You will manually test new features, document defects, verify fixes, and gradually learn API and automated testing with support from experienced engineers. This is an entry-level position suitable for someone with internship, bootcamp, coursework, freelance, or personal-project experience in software testing.
What you’ll do
- Test new features before they are released to customers.
- Create and follow clear test cases based on product requirements.
- Check the platform across supported browsers, devices, and screen sizes.
- Report bugs with reproducible steps, screenshots, videos, and relevant technical details.
- Retest resolved issues and perform regression testing before releases.
- Work with developers and product designers to clarify expected behavior.
- Help maintain the team’s test-case library and release checklists.
- Learn to test REST APIs and contribute to basic automated tests.
- Participate in sprint planning, product demonstrations, and QA reviews.
What we’re looking for
- Up to 2 years of software testing experience, including internships, coursework, bootcamps, freelance work, or personal projects.
- Basic understanding of manual testing, test cases, regression testing, and defect reporting.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to explain problems clearly.
- Comfort learning new software and investigating unexpected behavior.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
A college degree is not required for this position.
Helpful, but not required:
- Experience with Jira, Linear, TestRail, or a similar tool.
- Basic knowledge of browser developer tools, SQL, Postman, or REST APIs.
- Familiarity with JavaScript, Playwright, Cypress, or another testing framework.
- Experience testing accessibility or responsive web interfaces.
Schedule
This is a 40-hour, Monday-through-Friday position with flexible start times between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Team members should generally be available during the shared collaboration period from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central Time.
The team works from the Chicago office Tuesday through Thursday and remotely on Monday and Friday. Occasional release testing may take place outside regular hours, typically no more than once per quarter, with equivalent time off provided during the same week.
Compensation and benefits
- Base salary of $68,000–$82,000.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with a 4% company match.
- 15 days of paid time off, plus 11 company holidays.
- Five paid sick days.
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
- Company-provided laptop and home-office equipment allowance.
- Professional development budget of $1,500 per year.
- Paid access to software testing courses and certification materials.
- Public-transit reimbursement for office days.
- Annual performance and compensation review.
Hiring process
- A 20-minute conversation with the recruiter.
- A 45-minute video interview with the QA Lead.
- A structured testing exercise completed during a live interview.
- A final conversation with members of the engineering and product teams.
Candidates will not be asked to complete an unpaid take-home project.
Pay: $68,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60618
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