QA Engineer
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Job description
QA Engineer
Stanowisko: QA Engineer
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What Sets Us Apart?
Collaborate with SmartWays – Spread Your Wings
What You Gain by Working with Us
- Partner relationships
- Knowledge and experience exchange
- Reports needed for business decision-making
- Listening to your needs
20+ people
in the team
6 years
of experience in the market
3000
satisfied clients
Who is a QA Engineer and What Do They Do?
A QA Engineer is a specialist responsible for ensuring software quality through designing, executing, and automating tests that catch defects before they reach the end user.
In the Polish IT market, the role of a QA Engineer has transformed from manual testing (manual QA) towards a hybrid profile combining automation, CI/CD knowledge, and programming skills. According to job postings data, by 2025, over 70% of QA recruitments will require experience with automation frameworks (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright). Recruiting a QA Engineer at the mid level is one of the most frequently outsourced processes in the fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS sectors, where the cost of a production error is counted in tens of thousands of zlotys.
Key Responsibilities of a QA Engineer
The scope of a QA Engineer's tasks includes both planning test strategies and daily validation of functionality in the software production cycle.
- Designing test scenarios and cases based on business requirements and technical documentation
- Creating and maintaining automated tests (UI, API, end-to-end) in a chosen framework
- Performing regression, functional, integration, and exploratory testing
- Integrating automated tests with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions)
- Reporting and prioritizing defects in systems like Jira or Azure DevOps
- Verifying APIs using Postman, REST Assured, or similar tools
- Performance and load testing (JMeter, k6) for critical application paths
- Collaborating with developers and product owners in Scrum or Kanban methodologies
- Maintaining and developing test documentation and quality metrics (test coverage, defect density)
- Participating in code reviews from a testability and code quality perspective
Required Skills and Experience
A Mid QA Engineer should have 2 to 4 years of experience and documented practice in automating tests of at least one type of application.
| Skill | Required Level | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Automation | Advanced | Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright – building a framework from scratch |
| API Testing | Advanced | Postman, REST Assured, REST/GraphQL contract validation |
| Programming Languages | Intermediate | Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, or Python |
| CI/CD | Intermediate | Integration of tests in Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions |
| Testing Methodologies | Advanced | Test design techniques, ISTQB Foundation is welcome |
| Databases / SQL | Intermediate | Data verification, JOIN queries, consistency validation |
| Performance Testing | Basic | JMeter, k6 – basic load scenarios |
| Agile Methodologies | Advanced | Scrum, Kanban, work in sprint cycles |
| Bug Tracking Tools | Advanced | Jira, Azure DevOps, TestRail, or Xray |
| English Language | B2+ | Technical communication in international teams |
Salary and Market Ranges for 2026
A Mid QA Engineer in Poland earns between 11,000 to 18,000 PLN gross per month, with the median for a B2B contract around 15,000 PLN net plus VAT.
- Location: Warsaw and Krakow add 10–15% compared to regional cities, fully remote work equalizes rates
- Industry: Fintech and medtech pay 10–20% more than typical software houses
- Certifications: ISTQB Advanced, AWS/Azure cloud certifications increase the rate by 800–1500 PLN/month
- Automation Experience: Strong automation profile instead of manual results in a difference of up to 3000–4000 PLN/month
- Programming Language Knowledge: QA writing production test code valued like a junior developer
The standard benefits package includes private healthcare, a sports card, a training budget of 3000–6000 PLN annually for certifications and conferences, flexible working hours, and premium-class Apple or Dell equipment. In the B2B model, paid time off and 100% remote work are also popular.
Stages of Cooperation in Recruiting a QA Engineer by Smartways.io
We conduct headhunting for QA Engineers on a success fee model with a candidate replacement guarantee, providing a selected shortlist instead of hundreds of mismatched CVs.
- Analysis of Needs and Role Profile (Days 1–3): Workshop with the hiring manager, defining the testing stack, level of automation, and must-have vs. nice-to-have
- Direct Search and Market Mapping (Days 4–12): Actively reaching out to passive candidates, initial technical verification, and motivation for change
- Screening and Skills Verification (Days 10–16): Competency interviews, evaluation of automated test portfolios, and CI/CD experience
- Shortlist Presentation (Days 16–20): 3–5 recommended candidates with a full report and fit assessment
- Support in Finalization (Days 20–28): Coordinating technical interviews, negotiating terms, and onboarding
The entire process from brief to offer signing typically closes in 3–4 weeks, and we guarantee role filling for up to 3 months – if the candidate does not pass the trial period, we conduct recruitment again at no additional cost.
FAQ – Common Questions About the QA Engineer Position
How Does a QA Engineer Differ from a Manual Tester?
A QA Engineer is responsible for the overall quality strategy and test automation, while a manual tester focuses on executing scenarios manually. Modern recruitment for a QA Engineer requires programming skills and integration of tests with the CI/CD pipeline, translating to higher salary ranges.
How Long Does the Recruitment of a QA Engineer by Smartways.io Take?
The standard process from brief to offer signing takes 3–4 weeks. We typically present the first shortlist of selected candidates within 12–16 business days from the start of cooperation.
Does a QA Engineer Need to Know How to Program?
At the mid level, yes – knowledge of at least one language (Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, or Python) is expected, allowing for building and maintaining automated tests. Purely manual profiles are gradually disappearing from the market, and QAs with automation skills are valued 3000–4000 PLN/month higher.
What Are the Salary Ranges for a QA Engineer in 2026?
A Mid QA Engineer earns 11,000–18,000 PLN gross per month, with the median for a B2B contract around 15,000 PLN net plus VAT. The rate is influenced by location, industry, ISTQB certifications, and the strength of the automation profile.
Do You Also Recruit Developers Besides QA?
Yes, we fill the full range of engineering roles – including Senior React Developer, Senior iOS Developer, and Blockchain Developer. For teams building a complete pipeline, we provide both QA and developers within a single recruitment process.
Do You Guarantee the Hired QA Engineer?
Yes, we guarantee each filled role for up to 3 months. If the candidate does not pass the trial period, we conduct recruitment again without additional service charge.
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SmartWays Sp. z o.o. - 2026 - All rights reserved.
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About the Company SmartWays Recruitment offers bespoke and scalable recruitment solutions tailored to the evolving needs of businesses across various industries. The company focuses on recruitment within EMEA markets but delivers projects globally. Their services include direct search, contracting, body leasing, executive search, recruitment process outsourcing, and HR on-demand services. Products, Services & Tech Stack Core Solutions: Direct Search Contracting Body Leasing Executive Search Recruitment Process Outsourcing HR on-demand Project Scope & Target Clients Client Base: IT Finance Sales Purchasing Other industries Engineering Scale: Projects for large corporations, small businesses, and start-ups.