Alcon

2026-06-12

Contract

Title • Alcon Apprentice Software Engineer | Bangalore | Freshers | Software Testing & Medical Device Validation Company Name • Alcon Location • Bangalore, Karnataka, India Job Type • Apprenticeship (12 Months) Job Category • Software Testing • Quality Assurance Engineering Experience Required • Freshers Eligible • Entry-Level Opportunity Eligibility • BE / BTech in Computer Science • Information Science • Information Technology • Electronics & Communication Engineering • Strong Academic Background Required Skills • Software Testing • Manual Testing • Functional Testing • Integration Testing • System Testing • Test Case Execution • Defect Tracking • Validation Testing • Quality Assurance • Documentation • Analytical Thinking • Problem Solving • Communication Skills • Team Collaboration • Reporting Skills • Attention to Detail Preferred Skills • Test Automation • Python • Java • C • C++ • Embedded Systems • Hardware Testing • Instrumentation Testing • Jira • Azure DevOps (ADO) • Medical Device Testing • Regulatory Compliance • ISO 13485 Awareness • FDA Fundamentals Job Description • Join a structured apprenticeship program focused on software and medical device testing. • Gain practical experience in validation and quality assurance activities within a regulated environment. • Support testing of medical instruments and associated software applications. • Work closely with experienced engineers on verification and validation initiatives. • Learn industry-standard testing methodologies, documentation practices, and quality processes. • Participate in defect tracking, troubleshooting, and process improvement activities. • Build expertise in testing tools, validation procedures, and compliance-driven development environments. • Receive mentorship and hands-on exposure to medical technology solutions. Roles and Responsibilities • Execute functional, integration, and system-level testing activities. • Support manual, automation, instrumentation, and performance testing tasks. • Assist in verification and validation (V&V) activities for medical devices. • Prepare and execute test cases, test plans, and validation protocols. • Identify, document, and track software and system defects. • Maintain testing records, observations, and validation documentation. • Support automation initiatives where applicable. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams during testing cycles. • Assist in troubleshooting issues identified during validation activities. • Ensure compliance with quality and regulatory requirements. • Contribute to continuous improvement of testing processes and tools. • Participate in training, mentorship, and professional development programs. About Company • Alcon is a global healthcare company specializing in eye care products and medical technologies. • The organization develops and manufactures surgical devices, vision care products, and ophthalmic solutions. • Alcon serves healthcare professionals and patients across numerous countries worldwide. • The company focuses on innovation, quality, and advancing eye care technologies. • Its product portfolio supports surgical, vision correction, and eye health needs globally. Additional Information • Apprenticeship Duration: 12 Months • Work Model: Onsite • Industry Domain: Medical Devices and Healthcare Technology • Functional Area: Software Testing and Validation • Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India • Job Requisition ID: R-2026-47611 • Application Deadline: 15 June 2026 • Suitable For: Fresh Computer Science, IT, Information Science, and ECE Graduates • Exposure Areas: Software Testing, Medical Device Validation, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, Automation Testing • Recent Posting Status: Recently Posted and Active Opening

flex

2026-06-12

Full Time

Title • Flex Junior Engineer – Quality | Pune | Freshers | APQP, PPAP & Supplier Quality Company Name • Flex Location • Pune, Maharashtra, India Job Type • Full Time Job Category • Production Engineering • Quality Engineering Experience Required • 0–1 Year Eligibility • BE / BTech in Electronics and Telecommunication (E&TC) • Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) • Mechanical Engineering Required Skills • Quality Engineering • Supplier Quality Management • APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) • PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) • FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) • Root Cause Analysis • Corrective Action Management • Lean Manufacturing • Process Improvement • Quality Audits • Measurement Techniques • Quality Systems • Supplier Validation • Documentation • Communication Skills Preferred Skills • Six Sigma • Poka-Yoke • PFMEA • TS16949 • ISO 14001 • ISO 45001 • OHSAS 18001 • Internal Audits • External Audits • Manufacturing Quality • Supplier Development Job Description • Support quality engineering initiatives across manufacturing and supplier quality functions. • Assist in maintaining quality standards, compliance requirements, and continuous improvement programs. • Work with suppliers to ensure product quality and process adherence. • Participate in supplier validation, audits, and quality assessments. • Support new product introductions by ensuring supplier quality readiness. • Contribute to process improvement and defect prevention initiatives. • Assist with quality investigations, corrective actions, and audit activities. • Help maintain compliance with industry and organizational quality standards. Roles and Responsibilities • Conduct supplier validation and quality assessment activities. • Support supplier approval and qualification processes. • Participate in APQP, PPAP, and FMEA-related activities. • Follow up on supplier quality issues and corrective actions. • Assist with root cause analysis and issue resolution. • Review manufacturing processes and identify improvement opportunities. • Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. • Participate in supplier visits and quality reviews. • Assist in monitoring supplier quality performance metrics. • Support internal and external audit preparation activities. • Maintain quality documentation, reports, and records. • Coordinate quality-related projects and assigned tasks. • Assist with cost recovery activities related to supplier quality issues. • Ensure adherence to quality standards and business processes. About Company • Flex is a global manufacturing and supply chain solutions company. • The organization partners with leading brands to design, manufacture, and deliver innovative products. • Flex operates across multiple industries, including electronics, healthcare, automotive, industrial, and consumer products. • The company focuses on engineering excellence, operational efficiency, and quality-driven manufacturing solutions. • Flex maintains a global presence with manufacturing, engineering, and design operations worldwide. Additional Information • Work Model: Onsite • Industry Domain: Manufacturing and Electronics • Functional Area: Quality Engineering • Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India • Job Requisition ID: WD221939 • Shift Requirement: Night Shift • Application Deadline: 14 June 2026 • Suitable For: Fresh Mechanical, EEE, and E&TC Graduates • Exposure Areas: Supplier Quality, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Lean Manufacturing, Audits, Process Improvement • Recent Posting Status: Recently Posted and Active Opening

Amazon

2026-06-11

Full Time

Title • Amazon Quality Service Associate (QA Testing) | Chennai | Freshers | Software Testing & Quality Assurance Company Name • Amazon Location • Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Job Type • Full Time Job Category • Systems, Quality & Security Engineering Experience Required • Fresh Graduates Eligible • Entry-Level Opportunity Eligibility • Bachelor's Degree Required Skills • Software Testing • Quality Assurance • Test Case Execution • Bug Reporting • Regression Testing • Defect Tracking • Test Documentation • Quality Control • Analytical Thinking • Problem Solving • Communication Skills • Status Reporting • Data Capture Tools • Attention to Detail • Process Adherence Preferred Skills • QA Methodologies • Testing Tools • Functional Testing • Manual Testing • Software Quality Standards • Issue Escalation • Root Cause Identification • Testing Best Practices Job Description • Support software quality validation activities through structured testing processes. • Execute test cases and identify defects in software applications and releases. • Contribute to delivering high-quality software builds within defined timelines. • Participate in regression testing and release qualification activities. • Use testing tools and systems to capture, document, and report results. • Work closely with quality and engineering teams to ensure product quality. • Escalate issues and support defect resolution processes. • Maintain accuracy and consistency in testing and reporting activities. Roles and Responsibilities • Execute assigned test cases for software builds and releases. • Validate application functionality against defined requirements. • Identify, document, and report software defects accurately. • Perform regression and repetitive testing activities. • Capture testing results using designated software tools. • Maintain detailed records of testing outcomes and observations. • Escalate defects, issues, and testing concerns when required. • Participate in clarification and issue-resolution processes. • Follow testing guidelines, procedures, and quality standards. • Provide regular updates on testing progress and status. • Support quality assurance initiatives across projects. • Ensure timely completion of assigned testing activities. About Company • Amazon is a global technology and e-commerce company serving customers worldwide. • The company operates across cloud computing, digital services, logistics, artificial intelligence, and online retail. • Amazon develops technology solutions that support businesses, consumers, and enterprises globally. • Its engineering and quality teams focus on delivering reliable, scalable, and customer-centric products and services. • Amazon continues to invest in innovation, automation, and technology-driven solutions. Additional Information • Work Model: Onsite • Industry Domain: Technology and E-Commerce • Functional Area: Quality Assurance and Testing • Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Job ID: 10441868 • Team: Cross Border • Suitable For: Fresh Graduates Interested in QA, Testing, and Software Quality • Exposure Areas: Manual Testing, Regression Testing, Bug Reporting, Quality Assurance, Defect Tracking • Recent Posting Status: Active Opening on Amazon Careers Portal • Career Path: QA Engineer, Test Engineer, Quality Analyst, Software Tester

Electronic Arts

2026-05-27

Full Time

Software Engineer I Company: Electronic Arts Location: Hyderabad Department: Quality Verification Work Model: Hybrid Type: Full-Time Role Overview • Develop automation solutions for game testing • Build QA automation scripts and testing tools • Work with QA and development teams • Improve automated test coverage • Support game quality verification processes Key Responsibilities • Develop automated testing frameworks • Create automation scripts for games and web services • Support QA teams with automation solutions • Participate in code reviews • Improve testing efficiency and platform capabilities • Collaborate with developers and product managers • Evaluate and adopt new automation technologies • Maintain and enhance QA tools Required Skills • Automation Testing • Java / JavaScript / Python • Selenium • Appium • webdriver.IO • API Automation Testing • Test Framework Development • Performance Testing basics • QA Tools and Automation Preferred Skills • Experience with Locust or JMeter • Knowledge of web-based service testing • Understanding of software testing lifecycle • Problem-solving and debugging skills • Team collaboration and communication skills Experience Required • 1+ years of experience in Automation Testing • 1+ years hands-on programming or scripting experience What You’ll Gain • Opportunity to work in gaming industry • Experience with game automation testing • Exposure to large-scale QA systems • Learning and growth opportunities • Collaborative and innovative work culture Benefits • Health and wellness programs • Paid time off • Mental well-being support • Career development opportunities • Retirement benefits • Complimentary games and employee perks • Inclusive workplace environment Why Join • Work with a global gaming company • Build automation tools for gaming platforms • Collaborate with experienced engineering teams • Exposure to modern automation technologies • Opportunity to contribute to world-class gaming experiences

Qualcomm

2026-05-25

Full Time

Engineer – AI Quality Assurance (QA) – Qualcomm Hyderabad, Telangana, India Full-Time Experience: 1–3 Years Company: Qualcomm Job Description: Qualcomm is hiring AI Quality Assurance Engineers to join its Enterprise Generative AI Platform team. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in Artificial Intelligence, QA automation, AI validation frameworks, cloud systems, and enterprise-scale AI applications. Selected candidates will contribute to testing and validating next-generation AI systems, agentic applications, and intelligent automation platforms. The role focuses on ensuring the reliability, safety, scalability, and performance of AI-driven systems operating across cloud and enterprise environments. Responsibilities • Design and develop validation frameworks for AI and agentic systems • Support testing and quality assurance of AI-driven applications • Build pipelines for hallucination detection and model benchmarking • Perform regression testing and AI system validation • Conduct security-focused testing including prompt injection validation • Collaborate with architects and engineering teams on AI solutions • Validate AI workflows against enterprise-scale requirements • Support automation and testing processes for AI systems • Analyze system performance, scalability, and reliability issues • Contribute to improving AI model safety and operational quality Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, IT, or related field • 1–3 years of software testing, AI validation, or automation experience • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities • Good communication and collaboration skills • Understanding of AI systems and testing methodologies Required Skills • Python programming • AI testing and automation concepts • QA frameworks and validation tools • Regression testing • AI model benchmarking • Security and reliability testing • Debugging and troubleshooting skills Preferred Skills • Generative AI concepts • AI evaluation frameworks • Machine Learning fundamentals • Cloud-based AI systems • Prompt engineering awareness • Agentic AI systems understanding • AI safety and hallucination detection • Enterprise-scale application testing Eligibility • Candidates with 1–3 years experience preferred • AI testing, QA automation, or ML project exposure beneficial • Master’s degree with ML specialization is an advantage Why Apply? • Opportunity to work on enterprise-scale Generative AI platforms • Exposure to advanced AI and cloud technologies • Work on cutting-edge AI validation and safety systems • Learn from experienced AI engineering and architecture teams • High-impact projects involving large-scale intelligent systems • Career growth opportunities in AI and enterprise software engineering Job Details • Role: Engineer – AI Quality Assurance (QA) • Employment Type: Full-Time • Location: Hyderabad, Telangana • Department: Software Engineering / AI QA About Qualcomm Qualcomm is a global semiconductor and wireless technology company known for innovation in mobile computing, AI, cloud systems, connectivity, and intelligent edge technologies. The organization develops advanced hardware and software solutions powering next-generation digital experiences across industries worldwide.

Qualcomm

2026-05-21

Full Time

Software Test Engineer – Qualcomm Hyderabad, Telangana, India Experience: 0–2 Years Qualification: Bachelor's / Master's Degree Company: Qualcomm Job Description: Qualcomm is hiring Software Test Engineers to join its engineering team. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in software testing, automation, validation, and quality engineering. Engineers will work on modern technologies and support the testing of next-generation software systems. Responsibilities: • Design and execute test cases and test scenarios • Support software validation and testing activities • Perform functional and system testing • Identify and document software defects • Assist in debugging and issue analysis • Create and improve automation scripts • Collaborate with development teams • Help improve product quality and reliability • Participate in project deliverables and testing activities Required Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or related field • Basic understanding of software development concepts • Good analytical and problem-solving skills • Strong communication skills Preferred Skills: • Java • Python • C / C++ • Algorithms • Software Testing concepts • Automation tools • Bug tracking tools • Continuous Integration concepts Experience: • Freshers can apply • Internship or project experience is beneficial • Exposure to automation testing is a plus Why Apply? • Work with advanced technologies • Learn from experienced engineering teams • Gain hands-on testing experience • Strong career growth opportunities • Exposure to large-scale software products Job Type: Full-Time Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Kensium

2026-05-21

Full Time

Trainee – Quality Assurance Location: Hyderabad, India Work Mode: On-site Experience: Freshers Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field Additional Requirement: Software Testing course/certification preferred Role Overview: • Join a Quality Assurance team focused on delivering high-quality software products • Gain hands-on exposure to software testing practices, tools, and methodologies • Work with experienced QA professionals and learn end-to-end testing processes • Build expertise across functional, UI, integration, and quality validation activities Job Responsibilities: • Support QA activities across multiple projects under team guidance • Assist in creating and maintaining test cases and testing scenarios • Participate in requirement reviews to understand business needs • Execute test cases and accurately document outcomes • Identify, log, and track software defects using testing tools • Assist in regression, functional, integration, and user acceptance testing activities • Validate issue fixes through retesting processes • Collaborate with developers, analysts, and project teams • Prepare basic reports and communicate testing progress • Participate in Agile discussions, sprint reviews, and release activities • Gain exposure to automation and API testing tools • Follow QA standards, processes, and best practices • Continuously learn testing tools and emerging trends Skills Required: • Understanding of software testing concepts and defect lifecycle • Knowledge of QA methodologies and testing types • Familiarity with issue-tracking or test management tools • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • Good written and verbal communication skills • Attention to detail and documentation ability Preferred Skills: • Exposure to Selenium, Playwright, Postman, or related tools • Internship or project experience in testing • Familiarity with Jira or test management platforms • Knowledge of automation or API testing concepts Career Growth Opportunities: • Structured learning and mentorship support • Hands-on exposure to ERP and eCommerce platforms • Career progression opportunities into QA Analyst and Senior Analyst roles • Access to training and skill development programs Key Qualities: • Curiosity and eagerness to learn • Strong attention to detail • Team collaboration mindset • Positive attitude and self-motivation • Ownership and accountability • Passion for delivering quality products 📌 Experience Required: Freshers eligible 📌 Job Posted: 20 May 2026 📌 Work Mode: On-site 📌 Open Positions: 1

HPE

2026-05-17

Full Time

Software Engineer – Platform Testing Location: Bengaluru Experience: Early Career / Relevant Experience Work Mode: Onsite Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics, Telecommunications, or related field Job Responsibilities: • Design and execute platform and system-level testing activities • Validate hardware and software functionality across different environments • Develop and maintain test automation solutions using scripting tools • Perform functional, regression, and reliability testing • Troubleshoot issues and identify root causes during validation cycles • Work closely with development and QA teams on feature verification • Support product quality improvements through testing and analysis • Participate in end-to-end product development and release processes • Collaborate with globally distributed teams on technical deliverables Skills Required: • Python or automation scripting knowledge • Networking fundamentals and troubleshooting skills • Software testing and debugging concepts • Understanding of system validation processes • Knowledge of Linux environments and testing workflows Preferred Skills: • Exposure to CI/CD tools and automation frameworks • Understanding of networking protocols and system behavior • Experience with hardware-software integration testing • Strong analytical and problem-solving ability Key Qualities: • Good communication skills • Team collaboration mindset • Attention to detail • Ability to learn quickly • Strong troubleshooting approach

Knorr-Bremse

2026-05-12

Full Time

Company: Knorr-Bremse Location: Pune Job Role: Apprentice Trainee Job Summary: Knorr-Bremse is hiring Apprentice Trainees to support quality assurance, documentation, and process-related activities. This opportunity is suitable for freshers and early-career candidates looking to start their professional journey in a global engineering and technology company. Required Experience: • 0 – 3 years of experience • Freshers can also apply Key Responsibilities: • Support quality assurance and process activities • Assist in documentation and reporting tasks • Work with process flow charts and project data • Coordinate with teams for operational support • Prepare reports and maintain records • Support daily business and technical activities Required Skills: • Strong English communication and writing skills • Attention to detail and analytical thinking • Basic understanding of quality assurance concepts • Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint • Understanding of process flow documentation • Good teamwork and coordination skills Eligibility Criteria: • Any Graduation or Post Graduation degree • Candidates from any specialization can apply Why Join Knorr-Bremse: • Opportunity to work with a global transportation technology company • Exposure to engineering and business operations • Learning-focused work environment • Career growth opportunities for freshers and young professionals About the Company: Global leader in braking systems and mobility solutions for rail and commercial vehicles. The company focuses on innovation, safety, and sustainable transportation technologies worldwide.

Altera

2026-05-08

Full Time

🔹 Associate Quality Engineer 🔹 Remote (Pune / Baroda) | Full-Time | 0–2 Years Experience About the Role • Looking for a passionate and detail-oriented Associate Quality Engineer to support software quality assurance activities for healthcare technology solutions. • The role involves manual testing, API validation, defect tracking, and collaboration with development teams in an Agile and DevOps environment. • Candidates should be eager to learn modern testing methodologies and contribute to delivering reliable software products. Key Responsibilities • Execute manual test cases for web and desktop applications • Perform API testing and validate request/response data using testing tools • Collaborate with developers and product teams to understand application requirements • Identify, document, track, and retest software defects • Support regression testing and software validation activities • Participate in Agile and DevOps-based development and testing processes • Contribute to improvement of testing practices, tools, and workflows • Learn and adapt to new technologies, testing tools, and methodologies Required Skills • Basic understanding of Manual Testing concepts and software testing lifecycle • Familiarity with API testing concepts and related tools • Understanding of SDLC, Agile methodologies, and DevOps practices • Knowledge of CI/CD pipeline concepts • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities • Good verbal and written communication skills • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in remote environments Preferred Skills • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field • Familiarity with Jira, Azure DevOps, TestRail, or similar tools • Basic knowledge of scripting languages such as Python or JavaScript • Understanding of SQL and database validation concepts • Exposure to automation, performance testing, or security testing is an advantage • Interest or exposure to healthcare technology domain What You’ll Gain • Opportunity to work on healthcare technology and enterprise software solutions • Hands-on exposure to manual testing, API testing, and Agile workflows • Experience with DevOps and CI/CD-based quality practices • Collaborative and learning-focused work environment • Career growth opportunities in software testing and quality engineering

Rolls-Royce

2026-05-08

Internship

Intern – Software Testing Pune | Full-Time Internship | 6 Months About the Role • Looking for enthusiastic engineering students and fresh talents to join as Software Testing Interns in the embedded systems and energy solutions domain. • This internship offers hands-on exposure to embedded systems, IoT technologies, diagnostics, automation testing, and real-world engineering projects. • Interns will collaborate with cross-functional technical teams and contribute to innovative software and testing solutions. Key Responsibilities • Support testing activities in embedded systems, diagnostics, and energy-related projects • Assist in development of test cases, automation scripts, and validation processes • Work with communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, Ethernet, and XCP • Contribute to Software-in-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) testing activities • Participate in development of test bench setups for diagnostics and validation • Collaborate with engineering teams across software, electronics, testing, and power systems • Conduct research on industry best practices and process improvement ideas • Analyze trends and support continuous improvement initiatives Required Skills • Basic understanding of Electronics Engineering or Software Engineering concepts • Knowledge of Embedded Systems, Electronics, or Software-related academic projects • Familiarity with testing concepts, automation, or communication protocols is an advantage • Good analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities • Strong communication and teamwork skills • Self-motivated attitude with proactive learning mindset Preferred Skills • Exposure to IoT, Embedded Systems, or diagnostics-related technologies • Basic understanding of automotive, diesel engine, or power systems concepts • Familiarity with scripting, simulation tools, or automation testing frameworks What You’ll Gain • Hands-on experience with embedded systems and industrial testing environments • Exposure to modern technologies in energy systems, automation, and diagnostics • Opportunity to collaborate with global engineering teams • Practical learning experience in real-world product development and validation • Professional growth in software testing and embedded engineering domains Internship Details • Duration: 6 Months • Work Location: Pune • Employment Type: Fixed-Term Internship • Application Deadline: 11 May 2026

KLA

2026-05-07

Full Time

Software Engineer – Test Automation Company Name KLA Location Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Employment Type Full Time Experience Required 0–2 years of experience in Software Testing, Automation, or Quality Engineering Work Mode Hybrid / Onsite Job Overview A global semiconductor and electronics technology company is looking for Software Engineers specializing in Test Automation to support advanced inspection and manufacturing solutions. The role involves developing automated testing frameworks, validating web applications and APIs, and contributing to high-quality software releases in a collaborative engineering environment. The ideal candidate should have strong analytical skills, programming knowledge, and an interest in automation testing, software quality, and scalable enterprise systems. Key Responsibilities • Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for web applications and services • Analyze product requirements and convert them into automation test strategies • Automate critical workflows, regression suites, and end-to-end testing scenarios • Develop API and web service validation tests for functional and integration coverage • Build reusable automation utilities and maintain scalable testing frameworks • Participate in software development lifecycle activities and review functional requirements • Execute automated test suites and analyze failures for issue identification • Collaborate with developers, QA teams, architects, and product stakeholders • Improve test coverage, quality metrics, and automation efficiency • Support continuous integration and automated test execution pipelines • Prepare test plans, reports, dashboards, and release quality documentation Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronics, Automation, or related technical field • Knowledge of software testing concepts and quality assurance practices • Proficiency in programming or scripting languages such as Python, C++, Perl, or similar technologies • Understanding of web UI testing and API testing concepts • Familiarity with databases such as MySQL or Oracle • Basic understanding of Linux commands and development environments • Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills • Good written and verbal communication skills • Ability to learn quickly and work collaboratively in team environments Preferred Skills • Experience with automation frameworks such as Playwright or Selenium • Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices • Knowledge of REST APIs and backend integration testing • Exposure to Agile or Scrum development methodologies • Interest in AI-assisted automation and modern testing approaches Work Environment • Opportunity to work on advanced semiconductor and electronics technologies • Collaborative engineering-driven workplace culture • Exposure to modern automation and quality engineering practices • Continuous learning and professional growth opportunities • Global team collaboration and innovation-focused environment