Senior Software Development Engineer in Test

Join to apply for the Senior QA Engineer role at vCluster

We are a venture‑backed tech startup striving to be the leading force in enabling platform engineers. We raised over $30M from top‑tier VCs such as Khosla Ventures and are in a hyper‑growth phase looking for motivated people to complement our team. While our headquarters are in San Francisco (Salesforce Tower), our team is distributed around the globe and we operate a remote‑first work culture.

vCluster provides open‑source technology for virtualizing Kubernetes, which has earned over 10k GitHub stars. Our commercial product built on vCluster has grown rapidly, generating multi‑million dollar revenue from a customer base that includes 6 Global Fortune 500 companies as well as some of the fastest‑growing tech unicorns.

Responsibilities

• Manual Validation & Strategy (80% focus): Conduct exploratory testing to identify usability issues, edge cases, and regressions not yet covered by automation.
• Backend Testing Expertise: Define and execute testing strategies for backend systems, deep‑dive into API interactions, database states, and Kubernetes resource management.
• Path to Automation: Design and develop a roadmap for transitioning manual workflows into automated test frameworks using Go or Python.
• CI/CD Integration: Integrate automated tests into pipelines (GitHub Actions, etc.) to provide high‑confidence, fast feedback loops.
• Cross‑Functional Advocacy: Collaborate closely with Engineering and Product teams to influence features early, advocate for testability, and align on quality standards before code is written.

Qualifications

• Deep QA Expertise: 5+ years in QA or Software Testing, with 1+ year in a senior capacity. Expert in backend testing with no UI required.
• Automation Readiness: Strong programming skills in at least one language (Go preferred, or Python) and ability to build tooling and automation suites.
• Startup Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity, juggling multiple parallel projects, and shifting priorities.
• Ownership Mindset: Initiative and ability to identify and follow through on tasks independently.

Bonus Points

• Kubernetes experience.
• Hands‑on experience with AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Deep understanding of CI/CD systems (GitHub Actions, Jenkins).
• Experience with open‑source commercialization or developer tooling products.
• Experience working with distributed, remote‑first teams.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary and equity.
• Platinum‑Level Insurance: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
• Flexible Working Schedule: Results‑oriented approach without strict clock‑in/out policies.
• Workplace Flexibility: Support for working from any location.

Why join a startup like vCluster Labs?

• Fast Application Process: Response within a week and hiring decisions within days.
• Open‑Minded Work Environment: No politics, honest feedback, and creative collaboration.
• Fast Career Growth: Opportunity to advance quickly in a small, high‑impact team.
• Responsibility From Day 1: Immediate impact and influence on the company’s future.

Culture & Values

• Technical Excellence: Ship high‑quality software for engineering users.
• Customer Obsession: Focus on usability, documentation, support, and rapid response to feedback.
• Impressive Speed: Deliver new features in less than a week.
• Bold Innovation: Question the status‑of‑the‑art and embrace radical changes when needed.
• Open Source & Open Mind: Actively contribute to open‑source projects and foster a respectful, constructive culture.

vCluster Labs provides equal opportunities for all candidates. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for everyone who becomes part of our team. We actively promote measures to reduce bias throughout our hiring process to ensure that everyone gets the same opportunities.

Compensation Range: €70K – €90K

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Engineering and Information Technology

Industries: Software Development