Quality Assurance Analyst

ASRC Federal Highland Technologies, LLC, a subsidiary of ASRC Federal, is seeking Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst to join our team in Arlington, VA in support of the Office of Consular Systems and Technology (CST) within the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology at the US Department of State. We provide Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services, management of the Non-Production Environment (NPE), ITSM support, Configuration Management and development tracking tools. The Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst serves as an agent of quality across the IV&V portfolio, ensuring artifacts, processes, and deliverables meet established quality benchmarks. This role blends traditional quality assurance discipline with modern automation and AI-enabled practices to drive efficiency, consistency, and continuous improvement across teams. Responsibilities Review and validate project artifacts (requirements, test plans, test cases, defect reports, verification/validation reports) against defined quality standards. Establish, maintain, and evolve quality benchmarks, metrics, and KPIs for IV&V deliverables Partner with Development and Shared program teams to embed quality practices early in the lifecycle (shift-left QA). Identify opportunities to automate manual QA processes (test execution, regression suites, artifact reviews, reporting). Leverage AI/ML-based tools to enhance test processes (test artifacts generation, defect prediction, anomaly detection, or artifact review efficiency. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve quality gaps and drive consensus on standards across multiple portfolios. Track and report quality artifacts, trends, root-cause analyses, and improvement recommendations to leadership. Support audits, compliance reviews, and IV&V assessments as needed. Recommend and evaluate QA tools, frameworks, and platforms to improve testing efficiency and coverage. Required Qualifications Active or eligible for Secret Security Clearance Experience: 5+ years in QA, software testing, or quality assurance analysis Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). QA Fundamentals: Strong understanding of QA/testing methodologies, SDLC, and V&V principles. AI/Emerging Tech Fluency: Demonstrated experience or strong interest in applying AI tools to QA workflows (e.g., AI-assisted test generation, intelligent defect triage, generative AI for documentation/review). Metrics & Benchmarking: Experience defining and tracking quality metrics (defect density, test coverage, escape rate, cycle time, etc.). Tools: Familiarity with test management and defect tracking tools (Jira, DevOps, AccelQ) Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills; proven ability to work across cross-functional teams (developers, business analysts, program managers). Preferred Qualifications Analytical Thinking: An agile and growth-oriented mindset plus the ability to interpret complex artifacts and identify quality risks or gaps proactively. Experience specifically in an IV&V or independent assurance role (as opposed to embedded/in-team QA). Certifications such as ISTQB, CSTE, Six Sigma, or CMMI-related credentials. Experience with CI/CD pipelines and integrating automated quality gates. Familiarity with government/federal IT quality standards (if applicable to your environment). Experience piloting or championing new QA tools/technologies within a team.