Remote Quality Assurance Engineer – Advanced Software Testing & Automation Specialist for Costco Travel IT (Work‑From‑Home, $32/hr)

About Costco Travel IT – Join a Global Leader in Retail Innovation

Costco Wholesale Corporation is the world’s fifth‑largest retailer, serving more than 150 million members in 14 countries. Our Costco Travel division powers the company’s travel‑related services, delivering unforgettable vacations, cruises, and experiences to millions of members each year. As part of the broader Costco Travel IT organization, you will be embedded in a high‑performing team that builds, tests, and sustains the mission‑critical platforms that enable seamless booking, inventory management, and member‑centric experiences worldwide.

Founded on the principles of quality, integrity, and a member‑first mindset, Costco consistently ranks among the top employers worldwide. Forbes recently placed Costco at #7 on the “World’s Best Employers” list, a testament to our commitment to people‑first culture, competitive compensation, and long‑term career growth. Now, we are looking for a passionate, technically proficient Remote Quality Assurance Engineer to help us continue raising the bar on software reliability, speed, and innovation—all from the comfort of your own home.

Why This Role Is a Game‑Changer for Your Career

As a Remote Quality Assurance Engineer, you will be a key driver of quality across the full software development lifecycle. The position blends hands‑on test automation, strategic test design, and collaborative problem‑solving. You’ll work directly with product owners, software engineers, and other stakeholders to translate functional and non‑functional requirements into robust, repeatable test suites that safeguard our systems against defects and performance issues.

In addition to an attractive hourly rate of $32/hr, you’ll enjoy a truly hybrid remote arrangement, flexible scheduling, and a comprehensive rewards package that includes health, retirement, stock purchase, and continuous learning benefits.

Core Responsibilities – What You’ll Own Every Day

• End‑to‑End Test Planning: Define comprehensive test strategies, including test environments, tools, data, and schedules that align with release cycles and business priorities.
• Test Case Development & Execution: Write, review, and execute functional, regression, performance, and security test cases for web, API, and mobile applications.
• Automation Framework Design: Build and maintain scalable test automation frameworks using Java or C#, integrating with CI/CD pipelines to enable continuous testing.
• Defect Management: Identify, prioritize, and track defects throughout the development lifecycle; collaborate with developers to reproduce issues and validate fixes.
• Shift‑Left Testing Advocacy: Partner with developers early in the sprint to embed testing into design and code reviews, reducing defect leakage.
• Performance & Load Testing: Design and run load, stress, and endurance tests using industry‑standard tools to ensure our travel platforms handle peak traffic.
• API Testing & Service Validation: Create and execute automated API tests using REST‑Assured, Postman, or similar tools, validating contracts and data integrity.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of emerging testing technologies, share best practices, and contribute to the Center of Excellence (CoE) for quality engineering.
• Documentation & Reporting: Produce clear, concise test reports, metrics, and dashboards for stakeholders, highlighting coverage, risk, and trends.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer: Coach junior QA team members, host brown‑bag sessions, and foster a culture of quality across the organization.

Essential Qualifications – What You Must Bring

• 3+ years of software testing experience with strong proficiency in XML, JSON, and web service testing.
• 3+ years of hands‑on development experience using Java or C# to build test automation code.
• 3+ years of Microsoft SQL Server expertise, including writing complex T‑SQL queries for data validation and backend testing.
• Proven experience with SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) methodologies and agile testing practices.
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—enabling clear articulation of defects, test results, and risk assessments.
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking abilities to diagnose root causes and propose effective solutions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a distributed remote environment, managing time and priorities effectively.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals—object‑oriented design, data structures, and design patterns.

Preferred Qualifications – Nice‑to‑Have Skills That Set You Apart

• Hands‑on experience with Git, Maven/Gradle, and CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, Azure DevOps, or GitHub Actions.
• Familiarity with JUnit/TestNG frameworks for unit and integration testing.
• Experience automating UI tests using Selenium WebDriver, Cypress, or Playwright.
• Knowledge of Microsoft VSTS/DevOps stack (TFS, MTM, Lab Management).
• Exposure to Splunk, Logstash, or ELK for log analysis and monitoring.
• Understanding of Tomcat/Apache web server configuration and deployment pipelines.
• Domain experience in the travel or hospitality industry, including booking engines, inventory systems, and pricing algorithms.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across geographically dispersed teams.

Core Competencies & Skills for Success

• Test Automation Expertise: Design robust, maintainable, and scalable automated test suites.
• Problem‑Solving Orientation: Proactively identify gaps, propose mitigations, and drive root‑cause analysis.
• Collaboration & Influence: Work closely with developers, product owners, and business analysts to champion quality.
• Adaptability: Thrive in a fast‑moving, ever‑changing environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Continuous Learning: Demonstrate curiosity and commitment to staying current with cutting‑edge testing tools and practices.
• Customer‑Centric Mindset: Understand the impact of software quality on Costco members and strive for a flawless user experience.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks – What We Offer

Costco believes that a great compensation package fuels great performance. While the hourly rate for this role starts at $32/hr, we also provide a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports your health, wealth, and work‑life balance.

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage: Premium plans that also extend to eligible dependents.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Company‑matched contributions to help you build a secure financial future.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): Purchase Costco stock at a discounted rate through payroll deductions.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for you and your family.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays that vary by location and tenure.
• Education Reimbursement: Tuition assistance for approved courses, certifications, and degree programs.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling, legal, and financial advice for you and your loved ones.
• Employee Discounts: Exclusive access to Costco’s world‑class products, travel services, optical centers, and more.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Fully remote work model with occasional optional in‑person gatherings or team events.
• Career Development Pathways: Structured mentorship, internal mobility, and leadership development programs.

Career Growth – Your Pathway to Advancement

At Costco, your career trajectory is limited only by your ambition. As a Remote Quality Assurance Engineer, you will have access to a clear progression roadmap that can lead to senior SDET roles, QA Architecture positions, or even Product Management leadership, depending on your interests and performance.

• Mentorship Programs: Pair with experienced QA leads who will guide your technical growth.
• Certification Support: Funding for industry‑recognized credentials such as ISTQB, Certified Agile Tester, or AWS Certified DevOps Engineer.
• Cross‑Functional Exposure: Opportunities to work on related domains like data engineering, security testing, or performance engineering.
• Internal Mobility: Leverage Costco’s vast global footprint to explore roles in other business units or geographic locations.

Company Culture & Work Environment – The Costco Difference

Our culture is built on a foundation of mutual respect, humility, and a relentless focus on member value. Even as a remote employee, you will feel the strength of our community through:

• Transparent Communication: Regular town halls, leadership Q&A sessions, and open‑door virtual channels.
• Team‑First Mindset: Collaborative project rituals, pair‑programming, and shared ownership of quality goals.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Initiatives that celebrate different perspectives and foster an environment where every voice matters.
• Work‑Life Harmony: Flexible schedules that enable you to balance personal commitments while delivering high‑impact results.

How to Apply – Take the Next Step Toward an Impactful Career

If you are a detail‑oriented, automation‑savvy professional seeking to make a meaningful contribution at a world‑renowned retailer, we want to hear from you. Click the link below to submit your resume, cover letter, and any supporting documentation that showcases your achievements.

Seize this opportunity to influence the future of travel technology at Costco. Apply today and embark on a rewarding journey with a company that values excellence, integrity, and the growth of its people.

Submit Your Application

Ready to join a thriving, remote‑first QA team? Click the button below to start your application.