Turn it up to 11 as a Lead Software Development Engineer in Test

Do you want to be utilizing the latest technology to solve some of the biggest challenges that companies are facing?  Do you want the opportunity to work with a team of incredibly intelligent, fun-loving, and collaborative engineers and architects?  Are you looking to grow and develop your skills across a variety of technologies?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then Inspire11 could be a great fit for you!  We are a full services local consulting firm that is building out customized solutions to help our clients stay relevant in an ever-changing technological environment.  Our project work spans across a variety of specialties including app development, software development, cloud migrations, completely greenfield projects, feature enhancement, etc. and a variety of industries. 

We partner with our clients to optimize their business, and ultimately blow their minds with the solutions we’re able to implement.  Our team is always tackling the most difficult problems that client teams face, and are never stuck in maintenance mode.  This means that they are working on exciting projects like building out the world’s first smart trailer. 

Our team is always learning from each other and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

You’re still not sold?  There’s more:

• Growth opportunity: We are always learning new technologies and educating our clients on what’s available in the tech space. You also will have the opportunity to engage in growing the team and there are ample opportunities to take ownership
• Work life balance: We are respectful of people’s boundaries and have unlimited time off so that our team has time to recharge and do their best work
• Flexible hours: We understand that our team members have different needs and do our best to work with their schedules
• Inclusive environment: We are committed to building an inclusive environment where all teammates feel comfortable and supported
• Fun! We love to keep things fun, both within our client work and at companywide events

So what do I have to do to join?

• Build and maintain automated tests at various levels within application stacks for clients across Agile squads
• Mentor and influence SDET on automation architectures, methodologies, coding standards, and best practices through code reviews and architecture designs
• Partner with development teams to evangelize the best test practices from the SDET community
• Ensure correct executions for automated test cases in the CI/CD pipeline
• Produce reports on KPIs of testing results, loggings, and coverages
• Collaborate with Agile teams to determine testing plans that cover testing paths for all business functionalities
• Provide sign-off for release activities
• Work seamlessly with off-shore team to finish testing requirements collaboratively

I can do that!  Any other skills that I need?  

• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum 5 years of experience in writing automated tests at the unit, integration, and system levels
• Having a proven track record of career progression is ideal
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of software quality assurance principles and practice
• Experience in implementing entire Software Test Life Cycle (STLC) including identifying & designing test plans, test cases, and execution of test cases in an Agile Environment
• Experience in TDD, continuous integration and delivery, and code review practice
• Hands-on experience with JavaScript/TypeScript, Node, or Java.
• Understanding of OOP concepts
• Hands-on experience in end-to-end test automation framework development using Nightwatch.js, Selenium, TestCafe, or Cypress
• Experience using a test case manager such as TestRail or Zephyr
• Hands-on experience writing integration tests using Postman or similar tool/library
• Hands on experience writing unit tests using JUnit/TestNG, Chai, Mocha, Mockito or similar mocking framework
• Familiarity with Amazon Web Services and Docker
• Experience incorporating automated tests into CI/CD pipeline
• Writing integration test suites for model training against an API
• Knowledge with Agile/SCRUM/Kanban
• Experience in leading/mentoring offshore teams is a big plus

At Inspire11, we believe our values make a difference:  

• We value, support, and help each other grow
• We are committed to active inclusion and diversity
• We are transparent and believe the best idea wins
• We succeed when our customers succeed
• And we keep it fun!

We believe that everyone drives change, and everyone is an owner. Nothing excites us more than having the ability to collaborate with intelligent, highly-motivated and talented people on challenging problems as we work to change the face of the digital and analytics space.  

This role requires the willingness and ability to be onsite at the Inspire11 or client location depending on project needs to maximize in-person collaboration and build stronger relationships.

Inspire11 is unable to sponsor employment visas at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment. 

Inspire11’s Privacy Policy: https://www.inspire11.com/privacy-policy/  

U.S. Compensation & Benefits  

Compensation at Inspire11 
Inspire11 follows Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Equal Wage Act, and the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003. We believe that people performing the same role at the same level, with similar levels of ability or experience, should be similarly compensated. We also believe that the most critical factors driving compensation should be an Eleven’s skill, experience, performance, responsibility, and effort. We may also consider an employee’s length of service, relevant education, training, or certification, and the requirements of a specific job. We may also consider whether the cost of living or competition for talent in specific markets requires adjustments in compensation for employees in those markets. Our goal is to fairly compensate all our Elevens based on these factors within the Company’s financial ability.   

Compensation may be increased or decreased at Inspire11’s discretion based on an employee’s performance reviews, market conditions, and the Company’s financial performance. Inspire11 will always notify an employee in writing before any change is made to their compensation.  

Bonuses 
We may allow employees in Sales, Recruiting, or Leadership to earn periodic bonuses based on sales, revenue, client-specific or practice-specific targets. These targets are communicated to each eligible employee via offer letter or annual update. All such target-based bonuses are calculated based on the Company and an individual’s periodic performance and will only be awarded if: (a) the employee is meeting performance expectations and is an employee in good standing of the Company; (b) the target is met; and (c) the Company’s current financial performance and market conditions permit the bonus to be paid out. All periodic bonuses are discretionary and are earned only when paid out.   

Each year, the Company will decide whether the Company’s financial performance, market performance, and business realities allow it to create an annual bonus pool. If the Company decides that annual bonuses may be awarded, then the Leadership Team will grant annual bonuses to employees in good standing based on the same factors discussed in the previous paragraph while also considering employees’ diligence, performance, expertise, skill, judgment, and experience. To be eligible to participate in this annual bonus pool, an employee must be hired by no later than October 1st of the preceding year. Annual bonuses and merit increases may be prorated based on hire date. Employees eligible for target-based periodic bonuses are not eligible to participate in the annual bonus pool.   

Options or Other Equity in Inspire11 
Inspire11 has a legacy program that allowed certain high-performing employees to purchase shares of the Company through an affiliate. The Company also has a newer program that grants options annually to high-performing employees based on their performance reviews, their managers’ recommendation, and leadership approval. These options have a vesting period associated with them.  

Benefits 
Full-time employees are eligible for the following contributory benefits, where premiums are partially paid by the Company and partially by the employee:   

• Medical insurance plans, 
• Dental insurance plans, and  
• Vision insurance plans.  

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits provided wholly by the Company:  

• Short-term disability, providing for a benefit of 60% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum of $2,000 per week for up to 11 weeks after a 7-day waiting period; 
• Long-term disability, providing for 60% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum of $10,000 per month for the time period from the 91st day after a qualifying event through the earlier of the end of the disability or age 67; 
• Life insurance, providing for a benefit of two times the employee’s annual salary, up to a maximum payout of $400,000;   
• A connectivity stipend of $325 annually; 
• Employee Assistance Program, providing for confidential counseling sessions, 24-hour crisis support, online peer support groups, skills training, behavioral health coaching, initial free legal consultations (and discounted rates on referred lawyers), online legal forms, assistance with eldercare and parenting services, among other things.  

Full-time employees are also eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan, which allows employees to contribute to a standard or Roth IRA. According to a vesting schedule, the Company matches 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of an employee’s salary.  

Depending on eligibility and their elections, full-time employees may also have access to certain tax-advantaged savings accounts set up through the Company, into which employees contribute withheld funds:   

• Flexible savings accounts
• Limited-purpose flexible savings accounts  
• Healthcare savings accounts
• Dependent care savings accounts  
• Commuter benefit accounts  

Paid Time Off and Leave 
Inspire11 grants all eligible employees any statutory leave required by federal, Illinois, or other applicable law, such as FMLA, bereavement, sick leave, emergency leave, jury duty or witness leave, and VESSA leave.   

In addition, Inspire11 has a self-managed paid time off policy (PTO) that does not set predetermined upper limits on the amount of PTO an employee may take. All PTO must be requested in advance and approved by the appropriate supervisor to ensure client work can continue. All full-time employees are expected to take a minimum of one week of PTO each year.   

Inspire11 offers paid parental leave to full-time employees who have been with the company for at least one year. Birthing parents are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, while non-birthing parents are eligible for up to 6 weeks. Short-term disability (STD) benefits are also provided following childbirth. When combined with PTO and STD, birthing parents may receive a total of 18–20 weeks of paid leave. Lastly, Inspire11 has eight paid holidays.  

Other Benefits 
Inspire11 also maintains other programs that provide additional benefits to employees, such as:   

• Impact to 11: a charitable giving matching program where, after being employed by Inspire11 for a year, employees may request that a qualifying charity receive up to $500 in matching donations each year. 
• Professional development benefits for qualifying employees: a program allowing for reimbursement of certain course materials and costs on a discretionary basis for employees who have been at Inspire11 for at least 6 months, with supervisor’s approval. 
• Regular gifts of Inspire11 clothes, office items, and swag.  

Disclaimer 
This document applies only to the United States and to Inspire11 LLC, not our worldwide partners.  

Inspire11 reserves the right to change the benefits offered to employees in accordance with applicable law based on business needs, market conditions, and financial stability. Before changing any benefits, Company will notify all employees of the change and will update this document.  

EEOC 
Inspire11 is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact us at hr@inspire11.com, or inform your recruiting partner.