Junior QA Engineer

Remote (United States)

Job Details

Location: United States

Workplace: Remote

Employment Type: Full time

Experience: Hands-on programming experience; coursework, internships, bootcamps, and personal projects qualify

Core Areas: Mobile QA, manual end-to-end testing, exploratory testing, UI/UX regression automation, React Native, TypeScript/JavaScript, Node.js, POS test fixtures

Compensation: $60,000–$80,000 annually

About the Role

The Junior QA Engineer will establish a dedicated quality assurance function for a React Native mobile app running on iOS and Android. As the first dedicated QA team member, this person will take on testing currently handled by developers and product staff, starting with manual testing and building toward UI/UX regression automation and reusable test fixtures.

The role combines testing with TypeScript and Node.js programming to investigate defects, build tools, and simulate point-of-sale (POS) terminals. Working closely with engineers and product managers, this person will help shape testing processes, tool selection, and quality measurement while reducing dependence on physical hardware during test cycles.

What You'll Do

• Create the first formal end-to-end manual test plans and execute them on iOS and Android for new features, bug fixes, and release candidates.
• Translate product requirements, designs, and user stories into clear, reusable test cases maintained in an evolving test library.
• Identify, document, and track defects with precise reproduction steps, distinguish platform-specific issues from those affecting both platforms, and verify fixes with developers.
• Use Node.js and TypeScript tooling to investigate issues, inspect logs and API traffic, and help identify root causes.
• Conduct exploratory testing to find edge cases, device and OS-version differences, and usability problems.
• Help establish bug reporting standards, release checklists, and test documentation.
• Begin developing automated UI/UX regression tests for the React Native app.
• Build test fixtures and mock services in TypeScript and Node.js that simulate POS terminal behavior and reduce reliance on physical hardware.
• Help assess and recommend testing tools and frameworks, progressively integrating automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline.
• Work with engineers and product managers during project planning, standups, and release readiness reviews.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Hands-on programming experience with TypeScript/JavaScript and Node.js. Experience gained through coursework, internships, bootcamps, or personal projects is accepted.

Required Skills

• Ability to write scripts and small services, work with asynchronous code, use npm, and debug using logs.
• Working familiarity with React and React Native, including components, props, state, hooks, and UI rendering, sufficient to understand application behavior and potential sources of defects. A small personal or course-based React Native app provides relevant preparation.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and core QA concepts, including test plans, test cases, regression testing, smoke testing, and the bug lifecycle.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to solving problems.
• Self-motivation and comfort working through ambiguity, including determining how to approach tasks without an established playbook.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the confidence to raise quality concerns with engineers and product stakeholders.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with React Native tooling such as Expo, Metro, or React Native debugging tools.
• Experience with mobile UI automation frameworks such as Detox, Maestro, or Appium (WebdriverIO).
• Experience with JavaScript/TypeScript testing tools such as Jest, Vitest, or React Native Testing Library.
• Experience testing iOS and Android apps on devices, simulators, and emulators, including Xcode Simulator and Android Studio.
• Experience with Node.js servers or frameworks such as Express or Fastify, and with building or consuming REST APIs, WebSockets, or mock servers.
• Experience with Git and basic version control workflows.
• Familiarity with bug tracking and test management tools such as Jira and TestRail.
• Familiarity with API tools such as Postman.
• Interest in or exposure to payments, POS systems, or hardware integrations.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools such as GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Bitrise, and EAS.

Learning & Career Development

• Learn to design a scalable React Native UI automation framework from the ground up.
• Develop mocks, simulators, and test fixtures for hardware and payment integrations within a production-quality Node.js and TypeScript codebase.
• Build an understanding of how React Native interacts with native iOS and Android layers and how platform-specific defects arise.
• Gain experience debugging distributed systems, tracing issues across services, recognizing common failure modes, and learning proven approaches alongside engineers.
• Help define QA standards and best practices, including shifting quality earlier in the development cycle through closer work with developers.
• Have the opportunity to grow into a senior or lead quality role as the QA function expands, including helping hire and onboard future team members.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Four Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans, including an HSA-eligible option, with dental and vision coverage through Guardian.
• Unlimited PTO and a location-agnostic schedule within the stated geographic eligibility.
• Direct access to engineers for technical development and guidance on the codebase, architecture, and POS integrations.
• High visibility and meaningful ownership of testing practices and release quality.