Quality Assurance Specialist (Mainframe)

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The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the quality of technology products across applications, middleware, infrastructure, and data environments. You collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the development lifecycle to design, execute, and maintain comprehensive testing strategies that support seamless customer experiences and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance & Testing

• Design, develop, execute, and maintain test plans for infrastructure, middleware, data, and applications across various environments.

• Review and interpret business requirements, functional specs, and design documents to inform and plan testing activities.

• Execute manual and automated test cases; document and report defects, anomalies, and results.

• Ensure systems and software are functionally appropriate, technically sound, and well-integrated.

• Maintain defect repositories and generate historical analysis of test results.

• Validate unit testing practices and confirm readiness for integrated testing.

• Drive automation capabilities by developing test automation suites, frameworks, and standards.

• Provide immediate response to production issues and support defect resolution.

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Lead and implement core initiatives with complete test strategies.

• Oversee multiple test projects and provide scheduling and coordination support.

• Conduct independent analysis to resolve strategic issues and support execution of initiatives.

• Monitor performance metrics and identify areas for improvement.

• Recommend process and system improvements to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

• Ensure alignment with SDLC processes and enterprise testing standards.

Collaboration & Communication

• Actively participate in enterprise-wide programs and projects.

• Communicate quality metrics and testing outcomes to stakeholders.

• Collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure alignment and delivery.

• Translate technical concepts into accessible language for diverse audiences.

• Participate as an active stakeholder in initiatives, driving quality through fact-based metrics.

Continuous Improvement & Mentorship

• Identify opportunities to strengthen QA capabilities through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and building communities of practice.

• Stay current with industry trends via professional associations and learning communities.

• Promote technical development and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Proactively identify and recommend enhancements to improve the customer and employee experience.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• 3 to 5 years of experience in mainframe environments. 

• Typically, 3 to 5 years of work experience in IT, Operations/back office, Branch or business environment related to Lending and/or B.S./B.A. in computer science, engineering, information systems.

• Experience developing, maintaining and executing automation test scripts

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of SDLC, testing methodologies, metrics, and automation frameworks.

• Experience with Waterfall methodologies; Agile and DevOps experience is an asset.

• Familiarity with BMO lending applications and infrastructure components is an asset

• Proficiency with tools such as HP ALM, Jira, TSO/ISPF, STARTOOL for TSO, JCL, DB2, CICS and VSAM

• Experience in manual testing on mainframe

• Able to develop, maintain and execute automated test Scripts and framework using UFT (with VBScript), Selenium (with languages like Java or Python)

• Strong knowledge of Excel including Macros.

• Ability to analyze data and use metrics to drive improvements.

• Automation experience is a strong asset.

Core Competencies

• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication.

• Collaboration and influence skills.

• Data-driven decision-making.

• Strong organizational and perseverance skills.

• Experience supervising project work with onshore and offshore partners.

Other Attributes

• Ability to work independently on complex tasks.

• Sound judgment in identifying and solving problems.

• Flexibility to take on broader responsibilities as needed.

• Positive, team-focused attitude.

• Genuine desire to expand knowledge across systems and technologies.

• Interest or experience using AI.

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.