Associate Tester

Specializes in debugging software using automated tests to achieve quality standards for company products. Executes test plans to ensure program functionality. Consults development engineers to address issues. Provides feedback for evaluation of programming languages, systems, and computation software.

Job Summary:

Specializes in debugging software using automated tests to achieve quality standards for company products. Executes test plans to ensure program functionality. Consults development engineers to address issues. Provides feedback for evaluation of programming languages, systems, and computation software.

JOB ROLE SUMMARY:

Debugs software products using systematic tests to develop, apply, and maintain quality standards for company products. Develops, modifies, and executes software test plans, automated scripts, and programs for testing. Analyzes and writes test standards and procedures. Maintains documentation of test results to assist in debugging and modification of software. Analyzes test results to ensure existing functionality and recommends corrective action. Consults with development engineers in resolution of problems. Provides feedback in preparation of technical appraisals of programming languages, systems, and computation software. Ensures quality computer integration into the overall functions of scientific computation, data acquisition, and processing. Non-engineer roles that are primarily performing audits and tests of software products in accordance with established test plans and procedures and are not involved in the development of test plans should be matched to Software Quality Assurance.

Responsibilities and/or Expectations:

• Reports bugs for analysis
• Documents actual test results and metrics
• Gaining a basic understanding of security concepts, evolving into a complex competency involves gaining knowledge of database security mechanisms, encryption methods, and the ability to perform basic security testing and vulnerability assessments.
• Validating data in databases, learning, and testing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. This includes verifying data transformations, data mapping, and integration workflows.
• Work closely with developers, data engineers, and other team members to understand data requirements and data flows.
• Communicate test findings effectively to team members and assist in resolving issues.
• Maintain detailed records of test cases, test results, and defects found during testing.
• Collaborates with senior testers to document test plans and test strategies.
• Learning to use professional concepts and beginning to learn and understand the processes for some of the following depending on specific assignment:

Database Testing:

• Execute test scripts and scenarios to validate data accuracy and integrity within databases.
• Identify and report data anomalies, discrepancies, or inconsistencies for further investigation.
• Assist in verifying data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes.
• Participate in testing data migrations and upgrades.
• Create and update testing documentation as needed.

Data Profiling and Quality Analysis:

• Beyond data validation, testers should develop skills in data profiling and quality analysis. This means identifying patterns, anomalies, and trends in data that could indicate data quality issues or opportunities for improvement.
• Learning scripting languages like Python or SQL scripting to automate repetitive testing tasks. This allows for more comprehensive and efficient testing as complexity increases.
• Familiarity with advanced testing frameworks and tools specific to database testing, such as database unit testing frameworks or specialized database testing software, can be a complex competency to develop.

Quality Management and Assurance:

• Describes quality control and quality assurance and its place in the organization.
• Coordinates and handles source file receipt with clients, vendors, and/or internal stakeholders.
• Identifies different types of quality control and their general purposes.
• Verifies input/output counts, supervising data processing jobs, and auditing/verifying the results based on historical trends.  Accurately validating source
• Isolates and replicates defects, creating reports of the details.
• Explains the difference between testing and quality control and assurance.
• Researches, troubleshoots, and acts regarding data or processing issues according to product, client and / or third-party vendor specifications.  This includes advising the team and clients on necessary solution changes or fixes to implement as well as the actual work to implement/fix.

Product and Technical Knowledge:

• Demonstrates introductory understanding, directing people to the appropriate source for further information.
• Describes the organization’s products/services at a basic level.
• Responds to customer inquiries by leveraging knowledge of product/services.
• Describes the technical specifications and benefits.
• Identifies customers’ needs using basic knowledge of the organization's products and services.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position does not have direct reports.

RECRUITING INFORMATION

• Specific hiring needs may vary by location, industry, client, internal department, and other business- related factors. The qualifications section lists examples that may be used as guidance when populating required and preferred skills sections of recruiting requisitions / job postings.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Basic knowledge of Information Technology practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Basic understanding of SQL and database concepts
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Eager to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies
• Experience with the suite of Microsoft Office applications
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with clients and internal stakeholders
• Experience with problem solving and critical thinking skills  

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience. In the absence of a bachelor’s degree, Acxiom will accept a bachelor’s degree equivalent based on any suitable combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills
• Executes and maintains automated and manual testing scripts
• Documents and reports test results both internally and to external clients
• Completes all aspects of defect management
• Familiarity with database management systems (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL)
• Knowledge of data validation and ETL processes
• Experience with database testing tools and frameworks
• Basic scripting or programming skills

Relevant internship or coursework related to database testing.

Primary Location City/State:

Conway, Arkansas

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Acxiom is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status (EOE/Vet/Disabled) and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, promotion or other employment of associates or the awarding of subcontracts because of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, protected veteran, military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics or other protected status.

Attention California Applicants:  Please see our CCPA/CPRA Privacy Act notice here.

Attention Colorado, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Washington Applicants: This position is not located in the aforementioned locations but applications for remote work may be considered. For information about this role under state or local equal pay or pay transparency laws, please contact [email protected].