Software Quality Engineer – UI & API Testing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Quality Engineer – UI & API Testing

Company: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Software Quality Engineering / Operations

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years (Mid-Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office expected)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive high software quality for the Mist Cloud platform by testing, validating, and automating Web GUI and REST API functionalities, ensuring robust release cycles.

• Develop and maintain advanced automated test suites for both UI and API layers, leveraging Python-based frameworks to enhance efficiency and coverage.

• Execute critical staging smoke tests, production validations, and comprehensive regression testing to identify and mitigate potential issues proactively.

• Analyze Mist UI and API architecture to pinpoint design gaps and recommend improvements for enhanced stability, scalability, and testability.

• Manage the end-to-end defect lifecycle, from logging and tracking to ensuring timely resolution in close collaboration with development teams.

• Strategize and maintain comprehensive test plans, adapting them to support continuous regression testing and expand automation coverage across the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Software Quality Engineer with a strong emphasis on automation for both UI and API testing within a cloud platform context. While not strictly a "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, the principles of ensuring product quality, process efficiency through automation, and cross-functional collaboration are highly transferable and sought after in GTM operations. The focus on API testing and platform stability directly impacts the reliability of services that can drive revenue.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute automated test scripts for Web GUI elements using Selenium and for REST API endpoints using Python-based frameworks.

• Conduct thorough functional, integration, and regression testing to ensure the Mist Cloud platform meets defined quality standards and business requirements.

• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines for automated testing, ensuring seamless integration with development workflows and rapid feedback loops.

• Analyze test results, identify root causes of defects, and collaborate with development teams to prioritize and resolve issues effectively.

• Build, manage, and monitor dedicated test environments, ensuring they are stable and accurately reflect production configurations for reliable test execution.

• Create and update detailed technical documentation, including test plans, test cases, and bug reports, for internal QA, support, and development teams.

• Investigate customer-reported issues by collaborating with Customer Success teams, reproducing defects, and converting them into automated regression test cases to prevent recurrence.

• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements within the QA lifecycle, focusing on automation, efficiency, and increased test coverage.

• Manage multiple testing tasks and projects concurrently, prioritizing effectively and communicating status, risks, and blockers to stakeholders.

• Participate in team meetings and discussions, potentially outside standard working hours, to align with international development and operations teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role with significant ownership over the automation framework and testing processes. The emphasis on API testing, environment management, and collaboration with customer success indicates a role that bridges development and operational readiness, crucial for a SaaS platform.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in Quality Assurance (QA) or software testing roles.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in Python programming, including solid fundamentals in software development principles and object-oriented design.

• Hands-on experience with Selenium for web UI automation testing.

• Practical experience with pytest framework for building robust and scalable test suites.

• Demonstrated experience in testing both Web applications (GUI) and REST APIs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear articulation of technical details, project status, risks, and blockers.

• Strong problem-solving ability and a collaborative mindset, crucial for effective teamwork.

• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and customer success.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in UI and API troubleshooting, including debugging and root cause analysis.

• Proven ability to write and maintain detailed regression test cases, ensuring comprehensive test coverage.

• Familiarity with Django RESTful APIs and their testing methodologies.

• Foundational knowledge of networking technologies and concepts relevant to cloud platforms.

• A self-starter attitude with the initiative to work independently, take ownership, and drive tasks to completion.

• Comfort and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Python, Selenium, and pytest, along with API testing, points towards a need for engineers who can build and maintain automated testing frameworks. The "nice-to-have" skills like Django RESTful APIs and networking knowledge suggest opportunities for deeper specialization within the platform's technical stack.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing successful automation projects, particularly those involving UI and API testing frameworks.

• Include examples of how you have contributed to improving software quality through systematic testing and automation strategies.

• Showcase proficiency in developing and maintaining test environments and ensuring their reliability for continuous testing.

Process Documentation:

• Present examples of well-structured test plans that outline scope, strategy, resources, and schedule for testing initiatives.

• Showcase documentation of automated test scripts and frameworks, highlighting maintainability, scalability, and reusability.

• Illustrate experience in documenting test results, including defect reports and summary analyses, to inform stakeholders of product quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-minded candidates, a portfolio demonstrating efficiency improvements through automation, structured testing processes, and clear documentation of results will be highly advantageous. This section focuses on tangible outputs that prove an engineer's ability to manage and improve quality processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Software Quality Engineer with 2-5 years of experience in Bengaluru, India, the estimated annual salary range is ₹6,00,000 to ₹12,00,000. This range accounts for the specific technical skills required (Python, Selenium, API Testing) and the mid-level experience.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing current salary data for similar roles in Bengaluru on platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific salary reports, adjusted for the specified experience level and technical requirements.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive suite of benefits supporting physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing.

• Personal & Professional Development: Investment in career growth through specific programs for knowledge expertise or cross-divisional skill application.

• Unconditional Inclusion: A culture that celebrates individual uniqueness, values varied backgrounds, and promotes flexibility.

• Global Team Environment: Opportunity to be part of a diverse, inclusive team working on cutting-edge technology.

• Retirement Savings Plan: [Specific details would be provided by HPE, but typically includes provident fund contributions or similar.]

• Paid Time Off: Generous leave policies for vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely aligning with Indian Standard Time (IST). While the role is hybrid, specific daily working hours are not detailed but will require collaboration with international teams, potentially necessitating some flexibility. The role is listed as 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the Bengaluru region and experience level. Actual compensation will be determined by HPE based on individual qualifications, experience, and internal pay structures. The benefits listed are as per the job description, emphasizing growth and wellbeing.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Edge-to-Cloud Solutions, Software, Networking)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (HPE is a global company with tens of thousands of employees worldwide). This size offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for structured career development, but may also mean more formal processes.

Founded: 1939 (Hewlett-Packard), with HPE spinning off in 2015. This long history signifies deep industry experience and a strong market presence.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: While this role is in Software Quality Engineering, it functions within the broader operational framework of delivering and maintaining the Mist Cloud platform. The team likely comprises QA engineers, automation specialists, and potentially test architects.

• Reporting: The role is described as TCP_02, suggesting a mid-level individual contributor position within the Engineering hierarchy. It likely reports to a QA Lead or Engineering Manager.

• Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Software Development teams, Product Management, Customer Success, and potentially DevOps/SRE teams to ensure end-to-end platform quality and reliability.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The mention of "fast-paced, dynamic environment" and "Agile Methodology" (listed in additional skills) suggests that the team follows Agile principles, likely Scrum or Kanban, for iterative development and testing.

• Automation-First Approach: The core responsibilities strongly emphasize automation for both UI and API testing, indicating a commitment to efficiency and continuous integration.

• Data-Driven Quality: While not explicitly stated, the nature of cloud platforms and API testing implies a reliance on data analysis for identifying trends, measuring quality, and driving improvements.

Company Website: https://www.hpe.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: HPE's long history and large scale as a tech giant imply robust processes and a structured approach to quality. The "edge-to-cloud" focus means the Mist Cloud platform is a critical component, and its quality directly impacts customer adoption and revenue.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-level Software Quality Engineer (TCP_02). It involves independent execution of testing tasks, development of automation scripts, and contribution to test strategy. It's a solid foundation for a career in software quality assurance, test automation, or even transitioning into DevOps/SRE roles.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into an Engineering or QA management structure. Collaboration will be with peers in QA, Development, and potentially Product Management.

Operations Impact: By ensuring the high quality and reliability of the Mist Cloud platform's UI and APIs, this role directly impacts customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and ultimately, revenue generation. Stable APIs and a user-friendly UI are foundational to a successful SaaS product.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Python, automation frameworks (Selenium, pytest), API testing methodologies, and potentially cloud networking technologies.

• Automation Architecture: Progress to roles focused on designing and architecting robust automation frameworks, leading automation initiatives, or specializing in performance or security testing.

• DevOps/SRE Transition: Develop skills in CI/CD, environment management, and operational monitoring, opening pathways to DevOps Engineering or Site Reliability Engineering roles.

• Team Leadership: With experience, move into lead QA roles, mentoring junior engineers and taking on greater responsibility for test strategy and execution.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Leverage understanding of the product and quality processes to move into Product Management or Technical Program Management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within software quality engineering. The strong automation component and exposure to cloud platforms are highly valuable for future roles in operations, development, or specialized QA fields.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model, requiring 2 days per week in an HPE office. This suggests a collaborative office space designed to facilitate teamwork and knowledge sharing, alongside the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. This location is a major tech hub, offering access to a skilled talent pool and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and HPE's culture emphasize collaboration, suggesting an office setup that supports team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and peer interaction.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to necessary hardware, software, and network infrastructure required for software development and testing. This includes development machines, testing tools, and potentially access to cloud resources.

• Team Interaction: Expect regular interaction with QA peers, developers, and other cross-functional team members, both in person and virtually.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with potential for flexibility to accommodate international team collaboration. The hybrid nature allows for structured in-office days for team activities and remote days for focused individual work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect, balancing the need for in-person collaboration with the benefits of remote work flexibility. For operations roles, understanding how this balance impacts team synchronization and project velocity is important.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview (Phone/Video): Focus on Python programming skills, data structures, algorithms, and fundamental QA concepts.

May include live coding exercises.

• On-site/Virtual Technical Assessment: In-depth evaluation of automation skills. This could involve:

  • Coding Challenge: Writing or debugging Python scripts for UI or API automation using Selenium/pytest.
  • System Design/Architecture Discussion: Analyzing a system's testability and proposing an automation strategy.
  • Scenario-Based Questions: Discussing how to approach specific testing challenges, defect analysis, or test environment management.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion on experience, career goals, team fit, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Final Round/Team Fit: Interaction with potential team members to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Automation: Showcase projects where you built or significantly improved automated test suites. Quantify the impact (e.g., increased test coverage by X%, reduced regression time by Y%).

• API Testing Focus: Include examples of REST API testing, demonstrating your understanding of request/response structures, status codes, and payload manipulation.

• Code Quality: Ensure your code samples are clean, well-commented, and follow best practices. Make it easy for reviewers to understand your logic.

• Process Improvement: Present case studies on how you improved testing processes, identified gaps, or contributed to defect prevention.

• Documentation Clarity: Include examples of clear and concise test plans, test cases, and defect reports.

Challenge Preparation:

• Python Proficiency: Brush up on Python syntax, libraries (especially requests for APIs), and common testing patterns.

• Selenium & Pytest: Practice common Selenium commands and pytest fixtures/assertions. Understand how they are used together.

• API Concepts: Review HTTP methods, status codes, JSON/XML payloads, and common API security practices.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would test a given feature, debug a complex issue, or design an automation framework for a specific application.

• Company Research: Understand HPE's business, its products (especially Mist Cloud), and its culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate practical skills through coding and problem-solving. A portfolio that clearly articulates the "what, why, and how" of their contributions, with quantifiable results, will be critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Programming Language: Python (Core requirement)

• UI Automation: Selenium WebDriver

• API Testing: REST API testing tools/libraries (e.g., requests library in Python, potentially Postman for manual exploration)

• Testing Frameworks: pytest (Core requirement)

• Version Control: Git (Implied for code management)

Analytics & Reporting:

• Test Reporting: pytest's built-in reporting capabilities, potentially integrated with CI/CD tools for enhanced reporting.

• Defect Tracking: Tools like Jira (common in Agile environments, though not explicitly mentioned, it's a strong possibility) for logging and tracking bugs and enhancements.

• CI/CD: Integration with tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or similar for automated test execution within the development pipeline.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Not directly relevant, but understanding how platform issues might impact customer experience is key (collaboration with Customer Success).

• Automation: Focus is on test automation, not business process automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Python, Selenium, and pytest is non-negotiable. Familiarity with CI/CD integration and defect tracking systems like Jira would be highly beneficial and expected in such a role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality First: A strong commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable software through rigorous testing and automation.

• Efficiency & Automation: Emphasis on automating repetitive tasks to free up time for more complex problem-solving and strategic testing.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across functional teams (Dev, Product, Customer Success) to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying and implementing improvements in processes, tools, and methodologies.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for assigned tasks, driving them to completion, and owning the quality of the deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with developers, sharing insights on bugs and testability, and collaborating on solutions.

• Data-Driven Discussions: Using test results, defect trends, and automation metrics to inform discussions and decisions.

• Agile Cadence: Participating actively in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing best practices, code, and learnings with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: HPE's stated values of "Unconditional Inclusion" and making "bold moves, together" suggest a culture that values diversity of thought and collaborative innovation. For this role, aligning with a proactive, quality-focused, and team-oriented culture is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Development Cycles: Keeping pace with fast-paced development in a dynamic environment requires agile testing strategies and efficient automation.

• Complex System Architecture: Testing a distributed cloud platform with intricate UI and API interactions can be technically challenging.

• Maintaining Automation: Ensuring test suites remain robust, relevant, and efficient as the platform evolves requires ongoing maintenance and updates.

• Cross-Time Zone Collaboration: Working with international teams may present communication and scheduling challenges.

• Balancing Automation vs. Manual Testing: Determining the optimal blend of automated and manual testing for different scenarios.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Automation Techniques: Opportunities to explore more sophisticated automation patterns, frameworks, or tools.

• Cloud Technologies: Gaining deeper knowledge of cloud infrastructure, networking, and distributed systems relevant to the Mist Cloud platform.

• API Security & Performance Testing: Potential to expand skill set into specialized testing areas.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to experienced engineers for guidance and career advice.

• Training & Certifications: HPE likely offers resources for professional development, including courses and certifications relevant to software engineering and quality assurance.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex technical challenges within a leading technology company, fostering significant professional growth in automation and cloud technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex bug you found and how you went about debugging and reporting it. What was the impact?"

• "How would you approach automating the testing of a new REST API endpoint? What are the key considerations?"

• "Walk me through your process for designing and maintaining an automated test suite for a web application."

• "What are the trade-offs between UI automation and API automation? When would you prioritize one over the other?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about HPE and specifically this role on the Mist Cloud platform?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in software quality assurance and automation?"

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a difficult stakeholder or team member. How did you handle it?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project in your portfolio, clearly articulate the problem you solved, the solution you implemented (your role in it), and the quantifiable results (e.g., increased coverage, reduced bugs, faster releases).

• Showcase Code: Be prepared to walk through snippets of your Python automation code, explaining your design choices and logic.

• Explain Your Process: Detail your approach to test case design, automation framework development, execution, and reporting.

• Address Challenges: Be ready to discuss any challenges faced during a project and how you overcame them, demonstrating problem-solving skills.

• Tailor to HPE: Connect your experience and projects to the needs of HPE and the Mist Cloud platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just technical proficiency but also a strategic understanding of quality assurance, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset. Demonstrating an ability to think critically about testing processes and their impact on the business is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Software Quality Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the HPE Careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your experience with Python, Selenium, pytest, and REST API testing. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased test automation coverage by 30%").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate examples of your automation projects, focusing on UI and API testing. Ensure code is clean and well-documented. Be ready to present key projects and discuss your contributions.

• Practice Technical Questions: Review Python programming, Selenium, pytest, and general QA concepts. Prepare for live coding exercises and scenario-based questions.

• Research HPE: Understand HPE's business, its "edge-to-cloud" strategy, and the Mist Cloud platform. Familiarize yourself with their company values and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.