The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Mid-Level QA Analyst / Software Tester (L2)
3-5 years as a Mid-Level QA AnalystSkills to master
- Independently owning testing for small features, writing your own test cases, beginning exploratory testing, and effectively reporting bugs.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering high-quality test results for assigned features.
- Proactively identifying and communicating quality risks.
- Demonstrating a strong understanding of our product's business logic.
- Showing initiative in learning new testing tools and techniques.
- 2
Developer with a strong interest in Quality
5-7 years as a Software DeveloperSkills to master
- Deep understanding of code quality, unit testing, integration testing, and a desire to specialise in quality assurance, including test strategy and automation.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrating a passion for breaking software and finding edge cases.
- Having a strong grasp of testing principles and methodologies.
- Expressing a clear desire to transition into a dedicated QA role.
- Having experience with test automation frameworks from a developer perspective.
- 3
External Senior QA Engineer
Direct entry with 5-8 years of relevant experienceSkills to master
- Bringing a proven track record of designing test plans, leading testing efforts, and mentoring juniors in previous roles.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong portfolio of past testing projects and contributions.
- Excellent references from previous managers and peers.
- Demonstrable experience with our core tech stack or similar tools.
- Ability to quickly adapt to our product domain and team culture.