Quality Engineering 2026- Test_Specialist

Introduction

About the Client Innovation Center (CIC)

IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (CICs) are high-delivery, team-based environments where technologists work onsite to build real solutions for real clients.

 At CIC, associates collaborate closely with peers and experienced practitioners to design, build, test, and support enterprise applications at scale. Our delivery centers are built for learning through delivery, combining hands-on project work, structured training, mentorship, and teamwork to help early-career professionals develop strong technical foundations and grow with confidence.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy problem-solving, learning quickly, and working in an in-person, collaborative delivery environment.

In this role, you'll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (Delivery Centers), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centers offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Your role and responsibilities

The Associate Security Specialist - Cyber Threat Management & CyberDefend is an entry-level role focused on supporting the monitoring, analysis, and implementation of security solutions that help clients strengthen their security posture.  CyberDefend refers to IBM’s integrated approach to cyber defense, bringing together threat detection, response, and security operations across people, processes, and technology.

 This role is not about being a security expert on day one. It is about building strong foundational security knowledge, learning how to identify and manage cyber threats, and contributing effectively to structured security delivery teams.

 Associates are expected to contribute to established delivery teams and progressively assume greater responsibility and ownership as their skills and experience develop.

 As an Associate Security Specialist, you will:
 * Support security engagements by collecting and analyzing technical and business requirements with guidance from senior consultants
* Assist with the monitoring, detection, and analysis of security threats and vulnerabilities
* Contribute to the design, implementation, and support of security controls, tools, and processes
 * Participate in security operations activities such as threat analysis, incident support, and remediation efforts
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to help integrate security solutions into client environments
 * Gain exposure to multiple platforms, tools, and architectures used in enterprise security environments
* Build cybersecurity, consulting, and problem-solving skills through training, mentorship, and hands-on delivery experience
 * Work with functional and technical team members to help integrate packaged solutions into client business environments

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

The Associate Security Specialist - Cyber Threat Management & CyberDefend is an entry-level role focused on supporting the monitoring, analysis, and implementation of security solutions that help clients strengthen their security posture.  CyberDefend refers to IBM’s integrated approach to cyber defense, bringing together threat detection, response, and security operations across people, processes, and technology.

 This role is not about being a security expert on day one. It is about building strong foundational security knowledge, learning how to identify and manage cyber threats, and contributing effectively to structured security delivery teams.

 Associates are expected to contribute to established delivery teams and progressively assume greater responsibility and ownership as their skills and experience develop.

 As an Associate Security Specialist, you will:
 * Support security engagements by collecting and analyzing technical and business requirements with guidance from senior consultants
* Assist with the monitoring, detection, and analysis of security threats and vulnerabilities
* Contribute to the design, implementation, and support of security controls, tools, and processes
 * Participate in security operations activities such as threat analysis, incident support, and remediation efforts
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to help integrate security solutions into client environments
 * Gain exposure to multiple platforms, tools, and architectures used in enterprise security environments
* Build cybersecurity, consulting, and problem-solving skills through training, mentorship, and hands-on delivery experience
 * Work with functional and technical team members to help integrate packaged solutions into client business environments

Preferred technical and professional experience

These qualifications are essential for success in the role.

Entry-level test automation engineers must understand the software testing life cycle (STLC), including test planning, design, execution, and defect reporting, to create effective, maintainable scripts. Key requirements include proficiency in programming (Python, Java), automation tools (Selenium), and Agile methodologies to ensure quality and integrate tests into CI/CD pipeline.

 Core Foundations
* Ability to work effectively in a technology-driven consulting environment where tools, platforms, and client needs evolve over time
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to approach complex tasks using structured, logical thinking
 * Ability to learn new systems and technologies quickly and apply them in a delivery setting
* Comfortable working onsite in a collaborative, team-based environment

 Cybersecurity Fundamentals
 * Familiarity with core network and security concepts, such as:
 * Network design and basic networking principles
 * Authentication and authorization concepts
 * Encryption concepts and standards
 * Exposure to one or more cybersecurity domains through coursework, labs, projects, or internships, such as:
 * Threat management or security operations
 * Identity and access management
 * Cloud or infrastructure security
 * Data or application security

 Technical & Platform Awareness
 * Exposure to programming or scripting languages used to support security analysis or automation, such as Python, Java, C/C++, C#, Go/Golang, Ruby, or Bash, through coursework or projects
* Familiarity with security or networking tools (e.g., vulnerability scanning, monitoring, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention, or packet analysis), gained through academic work, labs, or self-study

 Applied Experience
 * Exposure to cybersecurity fundamentals through coursework, academic projects, internships, or work experience

 Business & Delivery Skills
 * Ability to translate business or functional requirements into technical solutions, with guidance from senior team members
* Comfortable working onsite in a collaborative, team-based environment
 * Strong willingness to learn, accept feedback, and continuously improve

Preferred Skills (Nice-to-Haves):
 * Exposure to security operations centers (SOC) or incident response processes
 * Experience with security testing, automation, or scripting
 * Familiarity with cloud security concepts or environments
 * Experience working in Agile or structured project delivery teams
 * Experience collaborating with others on team-based software projects

 Emerging Technology Awareness
* Familiarity with generative AI concepts, including basic modeling approaches, responsible use, and ethical considerations, gained through coursework, projects, or self-study

 Education
 * Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
 (Candidates with other degrees will be considered if they demonstrate equivalent technical skills.)

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business. 

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.