eReader Quality Assurance Intern (12-month contract)

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc., our mission is to make reading lives better. We stand for readers. We also stand for our employees – from interns and co-ops to permanent staff – and support their growth and development. Whether you are a student at the start of your career or a professional carving a different path, our early careers opportunities are built with you in mind – with experiences tailored to your individual skills and interests.
We offer a start-up environment, interesting and engaging work within the technology and publishing industries, and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Additionally, our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work-life balance and a company culture committed to caring for our employees.
If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role:

Rakuten Kobo's eReader team is looking for a QA Intern, starting in January 2027, to help deliver high-quality software and reading experiences across our eReader platform. You will work closely with QA Engineers, Software Developers, Product Managers, and other cross-functional partners to validate new features, investigate issues, and support testing activities throughout the development lifecycle.

In addition to hands-on testing, this role plays an important part in maintaining our test infrastructure and device ecosystem. You will help ensure teams have access to the devices, software builds, tools, and supporting equipment required to efficiently develop and test Kobo products.

This position provides practical experience in software quality assurance, device testing, troubleshooting, and test environment management while building a strong foundation for future careers in QA Engineering, Software Development, or Test Automation. Note that this role is hybrid, with 3 days per week at the Toronto office.

Responsibilities:

Software Quality Assurance

• Execute functional, regression, integration, and system testing on eReader software and devices.
• Create, maintain, and execute test cases and test plans for new and existing features.
• Document, track, and verify software defects with clear reproduction steps and supporting information.
• Validate bug fixes and help identify potential quality risks prior to release.
• Participate in feature reviews and testing discussions to develop an understanding of quality expectations and release criteria.
• Collaborate closely with QA Engineers and developers to investigate issues and improve overall product quality.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of testing practices, documentation, and team processes.

Test Lab & Device Management

• Assist with the maintenance and day-to-day operation of Kobo's test lab and testing environments.
• Prepare and configure eReaders, test devices, and related equipment to support development and testing activities.
• Help maintain device inventories and ensure teams have access to the devices, software, and tools required for testing.
• Support troubleshooting efforts by collecting diagnostic logs, reproducing issues, and assisting with investigations.
• Contribute to improving test lab organization, documentation, and operational processes.

The Person:

• Passionate about technology and software quality.
• Curious, detail-oriented, and eager to learn.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Organized and capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Interested in software testing, quality engineering, software development, or technical operations.
• Enjoys troubleshooting and understanding how systems and devices work.

Skills & Qualifications:

Required

• Enrolled in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical program.
• Familiarity with at least one programming or scripting language such as Python.
• Basic understanding of software development and testing concepts.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Experience using common productivity and collaboration tools.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Exposure to software testing through coursework, personal projects, or previous internships.
• Familiarity with Git, Jira, or other software development tools.
• Experience with Linux, command-line tools, or scripting.
• Exposure to mobile, embedded, or consumer electronics devices.
• Interest in automation, continuous integration, or test infrastructure.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware, software, or networking issues.

Growth & Learning Opportunities:

• Gain hands-on experience testing products used by millions of readers worldwide.
• Learn how quality assurance is integrated into an Agile software development environment and product release lifecycle.
• Develop skills in software testing, device validation, troubleshooting, and quality engineering practices.
• Gain exposure to test automation tools, frameworks, and modern software development workflows.
• Work alongside experienced QA Engineers and Software Developers, receiving mentorship and guidance throughout the internship.
• Participate in team discussions and development activities to build an understanding of quality ownership, risk assessment, and release readiness.
• Build a strong foundation for future careers in QA Engineering, SDET, Release Engineering, or Software Development.

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• Subsidized in-office lunches
• Four extended long weekends in the summer
• Talent and development training budget
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Spark sessions
• Dog friendly office

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from Rakuten. Rakuten does not send unsolicited job offers or request money during the recruitment process. Learn more: https://rakutenemploymentalert.com/

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About Us

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the world’s most innovative eReading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to millions of customers in 190 countries. Believing that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device, Kobo provides people with a choice when reading. Kobo offers an eReader for everyone with a wide variety of E Ink eReaders to suit any Reader’s style including Kobo Clara HD, Kobo Aura H2O, and Kobo Aura ONE; along with the company’s free top-ranking eReading and audiobook listening app for Apple® and Android®. Kobo’s award-wining eReaders can be found in major retail chains around the world. For more information, visit www.kobo.com.

With a growing catalogue of millions of titles in 97 languages, Kobo is a truly global eReading service for booklovers of all kinds, in every part of the world.

Scam Alert: Rakuten Kobo will never ask you to pay or deposit any money as part of working with Kobo. Similarly, Kobo will never ask in an email or online for your banking information or any government information about you, such as social security information. If you encounter these fraudulent attempts, please send an email to [kobo-security]@rakuten.com with the relevant information, and do not respond to the sender. All legitimate emails from Kobo are sent only from the domain @rakuten.com.