ABOUT HELCIM
Helcim was founded with a mission at heart: to be the world’s most loved payment system. We believe that by offering small businesses in North America a decidedly human payment solution where it is easier to sign up and use while being transparent and affordable, we can empower them to grow and prosper. Simply put, helping small businesses thrive is at the very core of our business model, and we think that’s a great way to do business.From the very start, we knew that we wanted to be different from every payment processor out there.
We want the merchants we serve to feel supported and see us as a trusted partner rather than simply just another “cost of doing business.” We are relentless in our pursuit to provide a radically transparent and honest payments solution that flat out saves business owners money, all while treating them like human beings.THE POSITIONWe’re hiring a Senior QA Specialist to help us elevate the quality bar across the entire product and engineering org. This is a foundational role: you’ll be the first dedicated QA hire at Helcim, with the opportunity to shape our tools, processes, and testing strategy from the ground up.You’ll lead the charge in designing and implementing automated test frameworks, defining a mobile testing strategy, and expanding test coverage across our platform.
You’ll also take ownership of key testing domains—including API testing, end-to-end testing, load testing, and security testing—and ensure they're tightly integrated into our SDLC and CI/CD practices.You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with software engineers, DevOps, security, and product teams to embed testing at every layer of development and release. This is a high-impact, hands-on role with both strategic and technical influence.Here are the things you’ll own day to day:
- Design and implement robust, maintainable automated testing frameworks to support our full-stack environment (Laravel PHP, Vue.js, MySQL, GCP).
- Lead Helcim’s mobile testing strategy, including real device management and automation for Android and iOS.
- Integrate automated testing into CI/CD workflows, partnering closely with the DevOps team.
- Collaborate with the Security team to validate the integrity of critical systems and ensure alignment with PCI DSS and other standards.
- Coach software engineers on effective testing strategies, tooling, and best practices.
- Develop and own test plans for new features, platform updates, and infrastructure changes.
- Drive regression strategy, ensuring changes are safe, performant, and production-ready.
- Investigate and document issues clearly, bringing actionable insights into product and release decisions.
- Continuously improve QA practices, advocating for scalable approaches and staying current on tooling and testing innovation.
A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
- 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance, with a strong track record in automation and platform-level testing.
- Hands-on experience with test automation tools like Cypress, Playwright, Appium, or similar.
- Expertise in API testing, performance testing, and security-aware testing workflows.
- Solid understanding of mobile QA across physical devices and emulators.
- Proven success integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines (ideally in a GCP environment).
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to design tests for edge cases and systemic risks.
- Comfortable translating technical requirements into structured test strategies.
- A collaborative, proactive communicator who works well across engineering, DevOps, product, and security.
- Experience coaching software engineers on test coverage, strategy, and design for quality.
- Familiarity with fintech or payment systems is a major asset.
Not checking every box? Please apply anyway! We know that candidates have different experiences that may make them a great fit for this position and for Helcim. We believe that diversity and having an inclusive culture is not only the right thing, but key to our long-term success. Diversity brings more experience, view-points, knowledge and insight about our future. We also want to provide an accessible interview process, so if there’s any accommodations that would make your experience more comfortable, please let us know. BONUS POINTS
- Experience with Laravel, Vue.js, or MySQL in a testing context.
- Familiarity with load testing tools like k6 or JMeter.
- SQL proficiency for test data validation and setup.
- Exposure to compliance frameworks such as PCI DSS or SOC 2.
- Experience working in Agile product teams with strong ownership culture.
HELCIM CULTURE IS; Being builders: We build things ourselves and we build them well. We use technology and our creativity to overcome challenges that would seem beyond the capability of a company our size. We improve what is already there, invent our way out of problems and we never stop dreaming of better.Choosing the harder path: We believe that the right decisions are usually the harder ones, so we embrace the challenge and endure when others quit. We choose what is difficult because it is more rewarding in the long-term, and makes us resilient, so that we not only survive but thrive.Creating trust: We earn trust by striving to be our best selves every day and by lifting those around us.
We recognize that trust is hard to earn, easy to lose and is tested continuously over time, so we make trust our way of life.Contributing to a company of many: We are stronger because of our collective passion, diversity, and fellowship. We believe only great teams can accomplish great things, and we ask the very best of each other. Together we create our own future.WORKING AT HELCIM Joining Helcim means joining a fast-growing company where we have found coming together makes us a strong company. We have a drive to achieve big things which creates amazing opportunities for everyone willing to work hard and contribute to that growth - opportunities for faster career growth, for more learning, more impact, and accelerated experience - all while surrounding yourself with incredible people working on interesting problems and delivering great results.Here are some of the reasons we attract such great people:The Way of the Helcim: At Helcim, we build a team of engaged, caring and intelligent people. In return we provide an environment where you can be excited to come to work each day and tackle these challenges with an amazing team. Learn more about Helcim’s unique culture and environment in our culture book The Way of the Helcim.Health and dental benefits: Through our Group Benefits, you’ll get access to dental benefits, extended healthcare benefits for drugs, vision, paramedical coverage (e.g.
massage therapists, dieticians, mental health professionals), counseling, health service navigation, life insurance, critical illness and disability insurance, and more. All of these benefits come into effect on Day 1 of employment! Dedicated Health Spending Account (“HSA”): An additional budget available for you to spend on health-related expenses (e.g. eyeglasses, therapy).Maternity and Parental Leave: To help launch our team members into this phase of family life we have some additional benefits in place including salary top for the birthing parents and a bonding break for non-birthing parents.Stock Options: Stock options enable our team to purchase Helcim shares at a future date at a specified price.
Every team member, not just people leaders and executives receive equity (aka ownership in the company).Vacation Time: All team members get paid vacation time and a company break in December so they can recharge when they need it. Flexible work location: Work and life happens at different times and places. This is why our team enjoys the flexibility of hybrid work and flexibility around hours of work, so we can all do our best work. Our hybrid work schedule offers flexibility to work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Furthermore, our core hours give team members flexibility to manage other parts of their lives.Training: Helcim will cover 50% of the applicable training costs of up to $500 per year.LOGISTICSJob type: Full-timeHiring manager: Jeff NewfeldLocation: Hybrid, In Office Monday's, Wednesday's + Friday'sCandidates must be eligible to work in Canada and be located in Calgary for this position.
