QA Portfolio Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of the QA strategy and standards for Balor Games' released portfolio, tailoring the scope and approach to each title's genre, platform diversity, and risk assessment.

• Manage the daily operations of external FQA, CQA, LQA, and compatibility QA vendors.

• Evaluate and onboard new QA vendors as necessary.

• Define QA requirements in relation to Production and developer-team milestones.

• Schedule and monitor vendor Statements of Work, quotes, and SOW expiration dates.

• Oversee QA vendor budgets, purchase orders, and invoicing while identifying budget variances.

• Act as the primary QA liaison for external developer teams and synchronize build/patch schedules with vendor testing timelines.

• Conduct hands-on QA testing, confirm fixes, and produce actionable bug reports.

• Offer gameplay feedback relative to comparable market titles.

• Review and prioritize vendor bug reports and test outcomes; assess severity and facilitate fixes.

• Engage in milestone acceptance and make ship/no-ship quality decisions alongside Production.

• Provide updates on each title's game condition, quality risks, and development path.

• Monitor certification/compliance requirements for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Steam, and mobile storefronts.

• Maintain awareness of vendor capacity, specialties, rate cards, and performance; manage escalations and vendor alignment.

• Develop and sustain QA documentation, test plans, bug-tracking processes, and reporting templates.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 5 years of experience in QA leadership, vendor or partner management, or production within the video game sector, including direct oversight of external QA vendors.

• Proven experience in managing vendor SOWs and quotes related to QA services.

• Strong understanding of FQA, CQA, and LQA testing methodologies, bug-tracking systems, and platform certification/compliance requirements across major consoles, PC, and mobile.

• Demonstrated ability to create, assess, and enhance test plans for games across various genres and modes, including single-player versus multiplayer and RPG versus FPS.

• Proven capability to manage QA for multiple concurrent titles and external studios, possessing project management skills to synchronize varying vendor pipelines, tools, and deadlines.

• Outstanding communication skills with internal teams, external developer studios, and QA vendors.

• Relationship management abilities to cultivate and sustain internal and external partnerships.

• Self-driven; capable of working independently as well as collaboratively; comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities.

• Proficient in using bug-tracking/test-management tools, spreadsheets, and project tracking systems.

• Passionate gamer with extensive knowledge of current titles across PC, console, and mobile platforms (bonus).

• Established relationships with FQA/CQA/LQA vendors in the gaming industry (bonus).

• Experience with PlayStation Partners, Xbox ID@Xbox/Partner, or Nintendo Developer Portal (bonus).

• Background in collaborating with indie or mid-sized external developer studios (bonus).

• Enthusiasm for process enhancement and cross-functional teamwork (bonus).

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• Flexible work arrangements and a supportive work environment.