At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure software quality through testing, bug identification, and user experience feedback.
- Company: Established Oxford-based software company with a focus on regulated environments.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £30,000, bonuses, enhanced pension, free lunches, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a dog-friendly office and excellent career development.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and kickstart your tech career with training and growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: 2:1 or above STEM degree; no prior QA experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Avanti Recruitment is working with an established Oxford-based software company that develops highly specialised products used by organisations operating in regulated and data-driven environments. They are looking to hire a Graduate / Junior QA Engineer to join their growing Quality Assurance team. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career professional who enjoys problem-solving, spotting details others miss and understanding how software works from a user's perspective. No commercial QA experience is required. The company is happy to provide training for the right person, but you will need a 2:1 or above degree in a STEM subject.
The Role
As a QA Engineer, you'll be responsible for ensuring software is thoroughly tested before release. You'll work closely with developers and product teams, helping to identify bugs, improve user experience and maintain high standards of software quality. Typical responsibilities include:
- Testing new software features before release
- Investigating and reproducing software issues
- Verifying bug fixes
- Providing feedback on usability and functionality
- Reviewing documentation and product changes
- Working closely with developers and product managers
- Supporting software releases and quality standards
The role is primarily focused on manual testing, with opportunities to develop automation skills over time.
What We're Looking For
You will need to be naturally curious and analytical, detail oriented, strong communicator, comfortable learning new technologies, interested in software quality/testing, and motivated to build a career within technology.
Must Have Skills & Experience
- STEM degree (or graduating this year) in a subject such as Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences or similar
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Analytical and logical problem-solving ability
- Ability to learn new concepts and technologies quickly
- Strong organisational skills
- Genuine interest in software quality, testing and user experience
- Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment
- Willingness to work from the Oxford office a minimum of 3 days per week
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Previous software testing or QA experience (commercial, internship, placement year or personal projects)
- Exposure to Python
- Experience using Linux
- Familiarity with Jira or similar issue‑tracking tools
- Understanding of Agile development methodologies
- Exposure to API testing
- Experience writing or maintaining automated tests
- Previous customer‑facing experience
- Summer internships, industrial placements or part‑time work demonstrating initiative and responsibility
- Understanding of software development lifecycles
What's On Offer?
- 30,000 starting salary
- Up to 8% annual bonus
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Childcare contribution scheme
- Free office lunches twice per week
- Dog‑friendly office
- Hybrid working
- Excellent training and career development opportunities
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
Interview Process
- 1st stage: Initial video interview (30 minutes)
- Final: Face to face interview onsite in Oxford (60-90 minutes)
- No coding test required.
If you're looking for an opportunity to join a successful technology company where you'll receive genuine support, training and long‑term career development, then I want to hear from you.
Graduate QA Engineer employer: Avanti Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking technology company that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work environment for Junior ASIC Test Engineers. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have access to hands-on training and mentorship from experienced engineers, fostering your growth in the exciting field of ASIC testing. Located in a vibrant tech hub, the company promotes a culture of creativity and teamwork, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate QA Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Avanti Recruitment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Avanti Recruitment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Avanti Recruitment.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Avanti Recruitment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate QA Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Avanti Recruitment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Avanti Recruitment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avanti Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Avanti Recruitment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
