Software Quality Engineer

As a Software Quality Engineer at the GS-2210-13, you will be part of Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Personnel Management. If selected, you will serve as a Software Quality Engineer ensuring enterprise applications and digital services meet quality, accessibility, and security standards through Section 508 Trusted Tester audits, AI-assisted and automated testing, and CI/CD quality gates. Serve as a certified DHS Trusted Tester, executing Section 508 accessibility audits across web, desktop, and mobile platforms using assistive technologies and inspection tools (NVDA, JAWS, ANDI, axe DevTools, WAVE) for WCAG 2.1 AA conformance. Serve as the OCIO-wide authority for resolving novel Section 508 conformance questions; document and report accessibility defects and complete VPATs and Accessibility Conformance Reports, validating vendor-supplied VPATs. Lead the evaluation and piloting of AI-powered accessibility testing tools, determining which tools are approved for adoption across OCIO, and use AI to generate and prioritize test cases while defining human-in-the-loop review processes. Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for functional, regression, integration, and accessibility testing using tools such as Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress, with test scripts in Python, JavaScript, or Java. Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps), defining quality gates that block deployment of non-conforming builds. Serve as technical subject matter expert on software quality, test automation, and accessibility; deliver training and represent the agency in interagency 508 communities of practice. For the GS13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent, performing information technology software quality engineering work that includes: Planning and executing Section 508/WCAG accessibility audits of web applications, software, or electronic content using assistive technologies (such as screen readers or keyboard-only navigation) and inspection tools (such as ANDI, axe DevTools, or WAVE); Designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks for functional, regression, integration, or accessibility testing using tools such as Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress, with test scripts written in languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Java; and Integrating automated test suites and quality gates into CI/CD pipelines (such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps); and Evaluating or applying AI-assisted testing tools (such as automated WCAG scanners, AI-driven visual regression platforms, or LLM-based test case generation) and defining review processes to maintain audit integrity; and Documenting and reporting quality or accessibility defects, completing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) or Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), and advising development teams and stakeholders on remediation strategies. AND Competency Requirement: In addition to the Specialized Experience above, you must meet the competency requirements for the Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210, as described below. A. You must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following required competencies, and must meet or exceed the minimum proficiency level for each (Please see the Education section below for the Minimum Proficiency Level scale): For the GS-13: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced), Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced), Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate), Information Management (Level 4, Advanced), Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced), Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate), Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced), Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced), Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced). Competency definitions: Attention to Detail • Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service • Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Decision Making • Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management • Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills • Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. Oral Communication • Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving • Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Teamwork • Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence • Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. or B. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You possess appropriate licensure, registration, or certification (Examples include: DHS Section 508 Trusted Tester certification, IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) or Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), ISTQB software testing certifications, test automation certifications (such as Selenium or Playwright), Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, CompTIA Security+, ITIL, or other software quality, accessibility, cloud, cybersecurity, or enterprise IT certification). You must provide copies of licensure, registration, or certification. or C. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You have a substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field. You must provide examples such as published works, industry keynotes, peer research, awards, board memberships, etc. OPM Qualification Standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210 You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation May be required to successfully complete a probationary period Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office. This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit. There is no education requirement for this position. Under the Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210, education may not be required, used in lieu of, or substituted as an alternative for demonstrating the required competencies or specialized experience. Transcripts are not required. Minimum Proficiency Level: Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies. Below is a detailed explanation of the Proficiency Level Scale used to evaluate General Competencies for this position: Level 1 • Awareness: • Applies competency in the simplest or most structured situations. • Requires close and extensive guidance. • Demonstrates awareness but limited practical application. • Learning the foundational elements. Level 2 • Basic: • Applies the competency in somewhat routine or structured situations. • Requires frequent guidance. • Demonstrates familiarity with key concepts and practices. • Beginning to build confidence and independence. Level 3 • Intermediate: • Applies the competency in moderately difficult situations. • Requires occasional guidance. • Demonstrates solid understanding and consistent application. • Able to adapt to new or unfamiliar contexts. Level 4 • Advanced: • Applies the competency in considerably difficult or varied situations. • Requires little or no guidance. • Demonstrates broad and in-depth understanding. • May coach or guide others. Level 5 • Expert: • Applies the competency in exceptionally difficult or novel situations. • Serves as a key resource and trusted advisor to others. • Demonstrates mastery and deep insight into the competency area. • Often leads or mentors others in this area.