Junior Manual QA Engineer in Milton Keynes

About Kinetic

At Kinetic we’re redefining operational excellence in higher education, conferencing, and events. As the leading provider of software solutions for student accommodation, event management, catering, and residential services, we help institutions streamline operations, elevate customer experiences, and unlock their full potential. With over 25 years of experience and trusted by more than 350 institutions worldwide, our software empowers universities and venues to run smarter, faster, and more collaboratively. Our culture is built on empowerment, community, and continuous growth. We believe in giving people the tools, support, and freedom to do their best work — and have fun while doing it.

The Role

We’re looking for a curious and detail‑driven Junior Manual QA Engineer to join our professional services team. You’ll play a hands‑on role in ensuring Kinetic's platforms deliver reliable, thoroughly tested websites and products. This is a fantastic entry point into a QA career within a modern SaaS environment. You’ll be mentored by experienced QA engineers and work closely with developers and product managers across the full software development lifecycle.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Write, execute, and maintain manual test cases for new features, enhancements, and bug fixes
• Perform functional, regression, exploratory, and end‑to‑end testing on web‑based SaaS products
• Log, track, and communicate defects clearly in tools such as Jira
• Work within waterfall model — attending daily stand‑ups, and retrospectives
• Collaborate with developers and product managers to clarify requirements and acceptance criteria
• Help maintain test documentation, test plans, and QA processes
• Able to content switch and manage time effectively
• Lead product handover session with stakeholders & capture their feedback effectively

Core Skills & Experience

• 0–2 years of experience in a manual QA or software testing role (internships and placements welcome)
• Good understanding of software testing fundamentals — test case design, bug lifecycle, and test reporting
• Experience using bug tracking tools such as Jira or similar
• Familiarity with testing web‑based applications (SaaS experience a bonus)
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical, analytical approach
• Clear written and verbal communication skills — especially important in a remote setting

Nice to Have

• Exposure to API testing tools such as Postman
• Basic understanding of browser dev tools and how to use them for debugging
• ISTQB Foundation certification (or interest in working towards it)
• Experience with test management tools (e.g. TestRail, Zephyr)

Benefits & Perks

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) - with extra days the longer you’re with us
• Two paid wellbeing days each year, with a budget to enjoy some time out with someone important to you
• Enhanced pension contributions to support your future
• Two paid days a year to give back through volunteering, charity work, or sustainability projects with our Green Team
• Salary sacrifice schemes for electric vehicles and cycle‑to‑work
• 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential advice and support
• A full annual health check to keep you at your best
• A flexible benefits platform - from life assurance and learning opportunities to retail discounts and cinema tickets
• A genuine people‑first culture where your growth and wellbeing come first
• Performance‑related bonus scheme to reward your contribution
• Regular socials - from team get‑togethers to all‑company celebrations, with each department owning a budget for their events
• The opportunity to attend group conferences, away days and learning forums both in the UK and abroad - network with other talent

We’ve created a welcoming office environment, with well‑stocked kitchens offering free breakfast, fresh fruit, hot and cold drinks, and a range of tuck shop goodies to keep you fuelled throughout the day. Kinetic is an equal opportunity employer, fostering diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.