Test Designer / Analyst - Data Warehouse

The candidate will be responsible for leading large and complex projects in the design, development, and execution of tests within the framework of a structured test methodology. The candidate will understand and apply a full life cycle approach to testing to include the responsibility for documenting, and tracking to closure, all anomalies detected. This position leads others and does the test planning, training, coordination, execution and monitoring the progress against plans for all types of testing for large and small projects.The technical aspect of this position would require the candidate to be involved in the management of the use of test environments by all project teams.Position Roles/Responsibilities/Accountabilities:This position will provide the following as a member of a project team: Responsible for ensuring the completion of test activities throughout the development life cycle and in compliance with the test methodology, as defined within Thrivent’s System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology. Primary focal point for all test activities and core member of a Project Team. To include but not limited to:
Develops test plans and defines the test environment requirements for the most complex new features and business applications/systems.
Provide direction to test specialists and designers, and participate in conducting necessary reviews and walk-throughs. Interpreting business processes, working with the business area to translate them into use cases (scenarios) in order to build test cases.
Plans for and coordinates the most complex integration and regression testing.
Ensure tests that are developed are defined and repeatable, as well as traceable to the requirements.
Coach and mentor test specialists and designers in the implementation of testing activities throughout the project.
Provide input and make recommendations when determining test environments and test-bed configurations that are required during the test execution phase.
Ensure test resources are completing activities associated with the test effort, including status reports and identifying, logging, and tracking to closure, discrepancies found throughout the project.
Document and submit resource and schedule estimates for large and very complex efforts to the project manager/team, and manage to the agreed upon schedule.
Able to lead the testing effort with multiple projects/programs concurrently.
Evaluates and recommends new testing processes and procedures.And, the following in a technical support role of Testing Services: Champions continuous improvement by proactively seeking out ways to identify and influence change in the testing (along with overall SDLC) methodology, policy and procedures.
Analyzes the impact of large and complex system changes on the test environments.
Works with and mentors less experienced personnel in Thrivent’s change control processes and procedures.
Be increasingly recognized and sought out as the “go to person” or subject matter expert (SME) on the testing methodology, policies and procedures.Position Qualifications:
Previous experience in application and/or systems testing, or software development (or related discipline) on large/complex applications.
Knowledgeable in the use of structured testing techniques.
Knowledge and experience with defined Project Life Cycle and the role testing shares in it.
Ability to understand and support structured testing including planning, designing, and executing tests in a diverse IT environment on multiple platforms.
Exposure to automated testing tools and defect tracking techniques/processes.
5+ years experience in testing within a large IT organization.
Associate degree or Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related discipline. Certification from an accredited school in a computer and/or technical discipline would be considered.
Certification in software testing from Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) or another credible organization preferred.Competencies
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong initiative; able to work on own and get results
Team player to work collaboratively with and mentor others
Highly developed conflict management skills
Strong financial/insurance product knowledge preferred
Solid leadership skills
Technical skills desired include:
MS Office Suite - Word, Excel, PowerPoint - SQL
MS Project - Quest Central
tTrack - SDLC - Iterative approach
MS Query - SAS EG
Platinum - Informatica Power CenterExternal/Internal Dependencies:
Ensure effective project coordination and communication within IT and key business units.
REQUIREMENTS
Please see Job Description