QA & Test Lead

Who we are 

OTIV is a Ghent-based company leading the autonomous revolution in rail. We are on a mission to increase safety and efficiency of railway operations by teaching rail vehicles to drive autonomously. By making trains more efficient and safer, we actively contribute to a modal shift and a greener future. We bring this vision to life by a unique focus on the most challenging environments such as cities, shunting yards and industrial sites. Thanks to high-profile partners and world-leading clients such as Deutsche Bahn, SNCF Group, ArcelorMittal and CAF we deliver the future of railway operations today. 

OTIV  is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic. OTIV strives to create an environment in which all employees feel confident in their ability to bring their authentic selves to work and secure collaborating with colleagues and customers.

What you will do

As a QA & Test Lead, your role is essential in ensuring the quality and reliability of our products. You will be responsible for maintaining and expanding our software test frameworks, managing test environments, and working closely with the development team to define and implement testing strategies. Your creative approach to problem-solving will be key in developing new, more efficient testing processes, and you will play a crucial role in the CI/CD pipeline to ensure seamless integration of testing procedures. You will also be involved in manual quality control and process improvement to guarantee the highest standards of quality for our products.

You will interact with software developers, operations teams, and other stakeholders to create, execute, and manage test cases, ensuring that all software products meet or exceed quality standards. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring that all processes and deliverables adhere to ISO 9001 requirements, playing a critical role in the renewal of our ISO 9001 certification. Your responsibilities will also include generating detailed documentation, including test plans, test reports, and bug reports, and participating in quality assurance processes throughout the product lifecycle.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Software & Hardware Testing:
• Maintain and expand the software test framework (e.g., Pytest, Rust) for system-level testing.
• Maintain and manage test environments to ensure they are up-to-date and functioning correctly.
• Collaborate with the development team to define Acceptance Criteria and translate them into detailed test cases.
• Create, review, and execute both manual and automated test cases across different test levels (unit, integration, system).
• Develop innovative solutions to testing challenges and continuously improve testing processes.
• Ensure integration of testing procedures within the CI/CD pipeline.
• Manage test cases using Testrail, ensuring comprehensive coverage and traceability.
• Report on testing status, track and document bugs, and ensure timely resolution.
• Develop and maintain test plans and test reports, providing clear and concise documentation of testing activities.
• Quality Assurance (QA):
• Follow up on processes that govern the quality of delivered goods, including calibration and release of goods.
• Create setups and procedures that facilitate faster and more efficient validation of products.
• Perform manual quality control steps at all levels of the development and production process, ensuring the highest quality standards are met.
• Work closely with production and engineering teams to identify potential quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure all quality assurance processes and deliverables comply with ISO 9001 requirements, contributing to the continuous renewal and maintenance of our ISO 9001 certification.
• Participate in client visits and discussions to ensure alignment on quality expectations and testing processes.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent professional training/experience.
• Language Skills: Fluent and professional in English, both written and spoken.
• Technical Skills and Experience:
• Proficiency in version control systems, particularly GitHub, for managing codebases and collaboration.
• Experience with test case management tools such as TestRail for organizing and tracking test cases and results.
• Familiarity with software testing frameworks (e.g., Pytest) and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Strong understanding of software development and quality assurance processes, including test planning, test case creation, and bug reporting.
• Experience with HIL testing
• Soft Skills:
• Strong communication skills, acquired through previous experiences in collaborative environments.
• A hands-on mentality with a strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Proactive, eager to learn and grow, with a versatile skill set adaptable to various challenges.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of the Rust programming language is a plus.
• Experience in testing within the rail sector is a plus.
• Experience with computer vision testing is a real plus.
• Experience with embedded systems and hardware testing, particularly platforms such as Raspberry Pi or NVIDIA Jetson.
• Basic knowledge of electrical engineering principles, especially in the context of software testing for hardware integrations.

Benefits

What we offer 

• Full time offer with competitive salary package.
• International environment in a disruptive start-up with opportunities to grow.
• Early riser or night owl? Either way, you’ll fit right in our flexible working hours system.
• Hybrid working policy, with an office in beautiful Ghent (Belgium).
• Collaborative, transparent, and fun-loving office culture.
• Team events and quarterly offsite.
• 30 days of vacation.