Senior Quality Assurance Specialist - VP

About this role

Job Title: Senior Quality Assurance Specialist – VP
 

Position Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Senior QA Specialist to lead testing and validation efforts across hardware, software, cloud (M365) and AI-integrated solutions. This role blends deep manual testing expertise with robust automation and AI testing capabilities, focusing on quality strategy, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, a user-focused mindset (ensuring an optimal end-user experience), extensive knowledge of the M365 collaboration ecosystem (Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive), and the ability to guide QA best practices across teams and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end testing efforts: Lead manual testing efforts for new features, releases, and integrated systems, including those in the Microsoft 365 platform (Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive), to ensure a seamless and high-quality end-user experience.
• Test planning and design: Review and analyze business requirements, functional specifications, and user stories to design effective test cases. Ensure test plans provide full coverage and traceability to requirements.
• Test execution and documentation: Execute test plans and document results, ensuring traceability and comprehensive coverage of all features. Identify, log, and track defects using tools like Azure DevOps, and verify that fixes resolve the issues.
• Cross-team collaboration: Collaborate with developers, product managers, and business stakeholders to clarify requirements and maintain agreed-upon quality benchmarks. Partner with stakeholders across AI, Engineering, and Operations to align on quality goals, testing scope, and release readiness.
• Validate advanced features: Validate AI and automation features for usability, consistency, and fairness using defined test scenarios. Incorporate basic networking and security considerations into test scenarios to ensure robust performance and data protection.
• Automation and tools: Develop and maintain light automation scripts for regression and smoke testing. Leverage Azure DevOps and similar tools to integrate automated tests where appropriate.
• IT lab management: Establish and manage a QA lab environment with simulation capabilities to replicate integrated system configurations and user scenarios, enabling comprehensive testing of collaboration tools, AI features, and cross-platform functionality under various conditions.
• Agile participation: Participate in planning, QA reviews, and release readiness assessments. Provide timely feedback during recurring stand-ups and collaborate with the team to resolve testing blockers.
• Process improvement: Contribute to the development and refinement of QA processes, templates, and documentation. Advocate for continuous improvement in testing strategies, workflow efficiency, and product quality.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior QA team members and support training initiatives by sharing best practices, conducting peer reviews of test cases, and fostering a culture of quality.
• Compliance and standards: Ensure compliance with internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements, including adherence to security policies and data privacy regulations in all QA activities.

Technical Skills

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in hardware/software QA, with a focus on manual testing and some test automation. Prior experience with enterprise productivity or collaboration platforms (M365 preferred) is highly desirable.
• Platform diversity: Must have experience testing across multiple platforms (web, mobile, and desktop) and operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS). Familiarity with cloud-based environments and cross-browser compatibility testing.
• QA methodology expertise: Strong understanding of QA methodologies, software development lifecycles, and testing processes. Ability to develop test strategies that align with agile development stages and business goals.
• Microsoft 365 knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the M365 environment and services - especially Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive and Copilot - and how to effectively test integrations and user workflows on these platforms.
• AI testing & automation: Hands-on experience validating AI/ML-driven features for accuracy and usability. Proficiency with test automation tools or scripting (for regression suites or smoke tests) to complement manual testing efforts.
• Tools proficiency: Proficiency with test management and defect-tracking tools. Experience using Azure DevOps (or similar ALM platforms) for managing test cases, bug tracking, and release workflows is a strong advantage.
• Networking & security basics: Basic understanding of networking principles and security best practices as they relate to QA. Able to incorporate considerations like access controls, encryption, and network performance into test planning and defect analysis.
• Documentation skills: Ability to interpret technical documentation and translate it into actionable test cases. Skilled at writing clear test plans, bug reports, and QA status updates for diverse audiences.

Soft Skills

• User-centric mindset: Demonstrated user-focused mindset with a passion for ensuring an optimal end-user experience throughout the testing process.
• Attention to detail: Exceptional attention to detail and analytical thinking, with a talent for spotting edge cases and anomalies that others might miss.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Able to document findings clearly and explain complex quality issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. [
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams. Comfortable coordinating with product managers, engineers, designers, and support teams to drive quality improvements.
• Presentation: Confidence in presenting test results, quality metrics, and recommendations to stakeholders at various levels (developers, management, business partners).
• Adaptability: Flexible and adaptable in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Capable of adjusting to shifting priorities and new testing challenges with a positive attitude.  
• Organization: Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Influence: Ability to build strong partnerships and positively influence quality outcomes across teams. Proactive in advocating for quality in all phases of the development cycle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry experience: Experience in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) with compliance-driven testing requirements is a plus.  
• Advanced AI testing: Exposure to AI/ML testing frameworks or ethical AI validation practices, including experience assessing AI features for bias, fairness, or regulatory compliance is a plus.
• QA lab experience: Prior experience in establishing or managing QA lab environments or simulation testbeds for complex integrated systems is highly beneficial.
• User Acceptance Testing: Background in UAT or business process validation, working closely with end-users or business stakeholders to ensure solutions meet real-world needs.
• Automation strategy: Experience contributing to test automation strategy or tool selection (e.g., evaluating frameworks, setting up test pipelines) is an advantage.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications are a plus but not required. Examples include Microsoft 365 Certified (fundamentals or expert levels), Azure certifications, or QA certifications (ISTQB, etc.) that demonstrate additional expertise and commitment to continual learning in the field.

For New York, NY Only the salary range for this position is USD$147,500.00 - USD$195,000.00 . Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including healthcare, leave benefits, and retirement benefits. BlackRock operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and your total compensation may vary based on role, location, and firm, department and individual performance.

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.

 

BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.

BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.