Team Name:

Quality Assurance

Job Title:

Senior Compatibility Analyst | Irvine, CA

Requisition ID:

R026677

Job Description:

YOUR MISSION AND ABOUT BLIZZARD QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)
At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic video game universes, including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, we’ve been creating genre-defining games for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. We’re on a quest: bring our dreams to life and craft the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Hard work, iteration, and polish go into the Blizzard “secret recipe,” but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision. 

The concept of “Blizzard polish,” that is, the infinite care and loving detail put into every aspect of our games, is something we take seriously and pride ourselves on delivering to our players. It’s a responsibility shared across the company – and its undisputed heart and soul is Blizzard QA. Blizzard QA is a close-knit team; we care about iteration, problem-solving, and succeeding as a group. We genuinely love what we do for a living and expect the same from everyone who joins us!

JOB SUMMARY
A Senior Compatibility Analyst is a seasoned technical professional with deep expertise in computer architecture, memory, graphics, and network technologies. They require minimal direction, often assuming leadership roles on projects and serving as a subject matter expert. They develop training materials, lead technical workshops, and mentor other team members. This role involves resolving complex hardware and system software issues, often requiring creative solutions and independent judgment. Senior Compatibility Specialists collaborate with stakeholders to set and meet product quality objectives and actively participate in product development meetings and planning activities.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• Use advanced testing methodologies to create and execute test plans, designs, and closures, and maintain test libraries. 
• Ensure requirements and risks are consistently addressed throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC). 
• Conduct interoperability, performance, and network emulation tests across all platforms and provide detailed technical analysis of the results. 
• Develop and implement scripts and tools that significantly increase automation coverage. 
• Proactively collaborate with software developers and hardware vendors to resolve issues and achieve test objectives. 
• Analyze test data and results to identify patterns and improve engineering quality. 
• Build, troubleshoot, and maintain computer systems, servers, and virtual machines. 
• Utilize and propose new measures and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to validate and report software quality. 
• Leverage and adhere to departmental Service Level Agreements (SLAs) using project management tools like JIRA and testing tools like TestRail. 
• Approach software development with a "gray-box" perspective, using developer tools to create custom test scenarios. 
• Support in the creation and maintenance of system libraries, and support the configuration, deployment and management of specialized system setups. 
• Partner and collaborate with others in developing knowledge and skills through training and constructive feedback.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Experience 

• Minimum 5 years experience in software or hardware testing. 
• Strong experience testing Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Knowledge & Skills

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field preferred. 
• Advanced knowledge of computer processors, memory, graphics, network technologies, and virtual machines.
• Highly proficient in installing and maintaining all supported Windows and macOS operating systems.
• Advanced ability to leverage software development and debugging tools.
• Proven ability to analyze and interpret data/workflows, recognize critical issues, and raise concerns.
• Be an expert in one or more software testing methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, planning, organization, and time management skills.

EXTRA POINTS

• CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification or equivalent
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level (CTAL) or equivalent.
• Experience with container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
• White box testing experience.
• Proficient in at least one programming language such as Python.
• High level of gaming knowledge and/or skill.
• Passion for Blizzard’s line of products and services

Your Platform 

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. 
 

Our World 

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet! 
 

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.  We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! 
 

Ready to Activate Your Future?   

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.   
 

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.   
 

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest. 
 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics. 

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $23.85 - $44.12 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.