Senior Backend QA Engineer - Freelancer (m/f/d)

Let’s build a healthier future, together! By combining our unique strengths, we are redefining healthcare through sustainable action and innovation. For a behind-the-scenes look, check out this video to see how we at Roche are making personalized health care a reality.

The mySugr GmbH was acquired by Roche in 2017 and our Vienna office is one of Roche's global sites. You will be located here, in the heart of Vienna, no matter if you work on a mySugr®, Accu-Chek®, navify® or any other Roche product or solution. You can read more about the history of mySugr & Roche here.

Here's what we're looking for:

Testing software is great, but testing mission-critical backends with a purpose is even better! As a Senior Backend QA Engineer - Freelancer, you’ll work on architecture that powers life-changing products helping people manage the most precious thing they have: their health. Collaborating daily with developers, data engineers, and product teams across a global setup, you will experience best-in-class software practices and ensure our platforms meet the highest standards of reliability and security.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Backend QA Engineer to strengthen our core capabilities in API testing, microservices automation, and internal tooling. As an entrepreneurial engineer, you will support our mission to improve people's health and well-being by keeping our data pipelines, server-side applications, and integration layers rock-solid. You will work across global teams in India, Austria, and Spain, testing distributed systems integrated into a modern CI/CD pipeline based on Java and cloud-native backend technologies.

Your upcoming mission:

• Design, build, and maintain robust automation frameworks for REST APIs, microservices, and asynchronous message queues.

• Leverage modern AI tools and LLMs to generate synthetic test data, optimize test coverage, and automate test case creation for complex backend logic.

• Utilize deep analytical and debugging skills to isolate, reproduce, and resolve complex distributed system issues.

• Drive backend testing excellence by establishing key quality metrics (speed, reliability, test coverage) and streamlining CI/CD testing gates.

• Partner with backend engineers, data teams, and product owners to define clear acceptance criteria and secure end-to-end data flows.

Essential skills for your mission:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience with 6-9 years in software QA, specializing in backend systems and distributed services.

• Deep hands-on experience in API test development and framework design (e.g., RestAssured, TestNG, JUnit) and proficiency in Java. Strong experience with Postman and API specification standards (OpenAPI/Swagger).

• Advanced proficiency in SQL queries, data validation, database schemas (PostgreSQL) and testing complex data pipelines.

• Practical experience leveraging AI-powered dev/test tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT) to accelerate script generation, generate edge-case test data, and optimize backend test suites.

• Proven track record conducting performance and stress testing on backend services using tools like JMeter, Grafana k6, or Gatling.

• Strong familiarity with Git/GitHub, CI/CD execution (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI), and workflow tools (Jira, Confluence).

• Strong communication skills and professional working proficiency in English.

Bonus skills:

• Hands-on experience with AWS and containerization (Docker).

• Experience working in startups or high-growth product environments.

• ISTQB certification.

• Experience with SAFe Agile frameworks.

Here's what you can expect from us:

• Ambitious and passionate teammates building meaningful, life-changing products

• An innovative, agile working environment allowing for collaboration with really smart people working in cross-functional teams

• We welcome technical evangelists, so if you are interested in any thought leadership contributions (blogs, conferences, publications, etc…) within the realm of the organization, we are happy to support you.

• Access to modern AI tooling and support to apply it responsibly in daily work, without compromising quality or safety.

Who we are and what we care about?

We are committed to providing a healthy, equal and inclusive working environment for our employees to bring true relief to the patient! We care about family friendly career paths, sustainability, a healthy lifestyle and the flexibility of a modern workplace. We maintain a culture of learning and sharing, as well as open and candid feedback. At every level, there are many opportunities to develop and grow - both professionally and personally.

As a healthcare pioneer committed to transforming the lives of billions of people around the globe, we push boundaries to redefine what is possible. We know that early, accurate diagnosis is essential to maintain health, prevent disease and help advance new, targeted treatments and potential cures for the world’s most serious health problems. We have a passion for innovation and a profound commitment to make a lasting impact on society by continuing to improve the standard of care for humankind. Our culture inspires us to create healthcare that is sustainable, efficient and financially viable. Healthcare that is built on people’s needs, strong data and clinical insights. Healthcare that saves lives.

Interested? Great. We’d like to hear from you! Just click that “Apply Now” button and send us your CV in English …. and anything else that you think might impress us.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.