Manual-Accessibility Tester

Description: **Employment Type:** Full\-time, W2 position with Cogent People Inc. This is a direct hire position with full benefits. **Location:** Hybrid Columbia MD 3 times a week OR Remote (as applicable to role) **Work Authorization Requirements** To comply with government contracting requirements, candidates must meet all of the following: * Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or valid EAD holder * Must have lived in the United States for at least 3 of the past 5 years * Must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship **Sponsorship (H\-1B) is not available for this position (now or in the future).** Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered. **Clearance Requirement** Public Trust required or ability to obtain, depending on assignment. **About Cogent People Inc.** Cogent People Inc. is a government consulting and technology services firm supporting mission\-critical federal and commercial programs. We deliver secure, scalable, and modern digital solutions across complex IT environments. Our teams thrive at the intersection of engineering excellence and mission impact, building systems that matter. **Job Overview** Cogent People Inc. is seeking a **Manual/Accessibility Tester** to lead functional and Section 508 accessibility testing to ensure compliance with CMS standards and usability requirements. This role is responsible for defining and executing testing strategies, validating workflows and assistive technology compatibility, and ensuring accessibility compliance across all releases. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in manual testing, accessibility validation, and quality assurance within enterprise or regulated environments. ***This position may be contingent upon contract award.*** Requirements: **What You'll Do** *Test Strategy \& Execution* * Define and execute test strategies for functional and accessibility testing. * Develop test cases and validate system workflows against requirements. * Support structured testing activities across releases and iterations. *Accessibility \& Compliance Testing* * Lead Section 508 accessibility testing to ensure compliance with CMS and federal standards. * Validate compatibility with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers, keyboard navigation). * Ensure accessibility requirements are incorporated into testing coverage and validation activities. *Defect Management \& Quality Assurance* * Identify, document, and track defects through resolution. * Support defect triage and collaborate with development teams on remediation. * Ensure quality standards are met prior to release. UAT \& Stakeholder Support * Support user acceptance testing (UAT) activities and coordination. * Collaborate with cross\-functional teams and stakeholders during testing cycles. * Provide clear reporting on testing progress, outcomes, and risks. **What We're Looking For** * Bachelor’s degree in a related field or eq