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<u>my cv is a wiki</u> ...and I think that's pretty cool. Welcome and explore! Hopefully you'll find what you're looking for.''It's early days still, and there's plenty more things to do. [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback is welcome</u>]''{{ContactDetails}}
!Address|* Node.js* Express.js* React.js* Jest* Cypress.io* Webdriver.io|Kelvin Rd<br />Remuera<br />Auckland 1050* Cucumber (BDD)* Tidal Wave UI automation library* Selenium* REST Assured* JUnit, TestNG* LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics|* Appium* XCUITest* C#: Specflow (BDD)* SQL* GraphQL* C++: Arduino, ESP32
!LinkedIn|colspan="3"|* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)* Postman, Newman| https:* Github//nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557Bitbucket* Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform* Bash & Powershell scripting* SoapUI & ReadyAPI
===Logistics Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd (Aug-2005 - Aug 2009)===-:Total management of all aspects of production and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by the company.----
===Senior Development & Support Engineer, Project Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd (Aug 1997 – Nov 2001)===:Monitor developed a cost management solution primarily for tracking photocopying through electronic swipe card terminals:*Global customer support leadSetting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https:*Testing:*Release Management:*Global training :*Project Manager for Burswood Casino to develop a terminal based system for a premium player loyalty program//github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
===Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group (1994 – 1996)===----:*Production scheduling (MRPII) of diapers and facial tissues:*Sales forecasting:*Product specifications:*Continuous improvement projects:*Developed a VB application to automate the generation of excel productions plans from data in AS-400---
== Education ==[[#Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer|Back to Top]], Send [http:*1993 ME (Elec) University of Auckland:*1991 BE (Elec) Hons//dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index. University of Aucklandphp?title=Talk:*1989 Secondary School Dux Literarum. Rutherford High SchoolCurriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback</u>]
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== Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer ==As a versatile Software Quality Engineer, I aim to understand the nuances of the product, team dynamics, technological landscapes, and organizational structures so that I can adapt and contribute effectively. I specialize in adapting to diverse contexts, and look beyond traditional testing methodologies to consider the design of the whole quality ecosystem necessary for delivering quality software solutions efficiently. == Skills ===== Testing ==={| class="wikitable" |- style="floatvertical-align:righttop; margin"|* Context Driven Testing* API Testing* Testing Native Mobile Apps* Testing Web Apps * Testing Firmware/Embedded systems* Testability Concepts| * Observability Concepts* Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)* Visual Modelling* Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)* Accessibility Testing|} === Programming and Automation ==={| class="wikitable"|- style="vertical-leftalign: 10pxtop;"!Namestyle="text-align:left"|Vincent Izaak DirksJavascript! style="text-align:left"|-Java!estyle="text-mailalign:left"|nospam1@dirksonline.netOther
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== Intro = General ===I'm an agile software test analyst. I love adjusting the test process to match it to the context at hand. I like manual (exploratory) testing, but I also have fun coding some automated checks. I gravitate towards Context Driven Testing (CDT), and tend to agree with the thoughts and expressions from the leaders of the CDT community, such as James Bach and Michael Bolton. I'm also really enjoying learning about Agile methods and philosophies; for me, Agile is best summed up as {| class="Autonomy with Responsibility through Trustwikitable". When you distil software development to its true essence, it is still about people|- style="vertical-align:top; it is driven by people"|* Platform Engineering* Staff Mentoring & Induction* Agile Squad Master* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, made by peopleLasers, and most importantly, it is made for people. People have emotions, passions, motivators and more. We're all different, and we all have something unique to give. I'm looking to work with people that have a passion for what they do, and have fun doing it! For me, testing is my professional passion, and I'm looking for a new role where I can work with people who share their passions and challenge me to be the best.Fibre-optics* Electrical & Electronic Engineering|}
== Work Experience ==
I am taking a break from work to give myself some time for self-care after some difficult periods over the last couple of years. ===[[Water Services Reform, Dept of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===: Contracting through [https://ttcglobal.com TTC Global]. Part of the Test Automation team for the Three Waters Project, developing a UI Automation suite in Java using the [https://wave.tidalcode.dev/ Tidal. wave] Selenium automation library === [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===: Served as a Roving Automation Quality Engineer, bridging testing and automation gaps across multiple teams. Tested and automated mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also undertook a secondment as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and later developed a ReactJS web app for viewing the test environments and interconnections. === [[FirstAML - Engel Consulting Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===: Served as a quality coach for a startup company developing a ReactJS Web App for the AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism) industry. === [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (since Sep 2016Jun-2020 - Oct-2020)===:Contracting 4 days/week. Helping Kim Engel on modify legacy weather radars with some interesting smaller projectsembedded Arduino micro controllers. Designing new electronics, PCB's, maintaining power waveguide systems, whilst hunting and performing signal analysis. === [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a Postman collection to test the API and implemented a node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the collection using Newman, and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports. The Web UI implemented access restrictions for my next big career challengewhitelisted IPs and authenticated users. ===[[Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Test Engineer]] (Jan-2017 - Apr-2020) ===: Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation. Using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript(Postman/Node.js/Express.js), Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created a [[Postman Testrunner Framework]] for automated API integration checks and environment health monitoring. === [[Engel Consulting - Contracting]] (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016) === === [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me ]] (Dec -2014 - Aug -2016)===:Part of a small squad (cross functional agile team) at Trade Me, I conducted context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic NZ Trade Me website (Motors Group) covering :* DB. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, UIleading deployments, APIconducting test planning and peer reviews, utilizing BDD and architecture changes:* deployment:* visual test tools. I gained experience with implementing agile methods , Splunk, ReadyAPI, XMind, Jira, and squad mastering:* Confluence. I also enjoyed onboarding new staff induction and junior staff supportcontributing to the test and agile guilds. === [[Pre-2014 Roles]] ===:* test automation for API [[Pre-2014 Roles#Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd - Logistics Manager (Aug-2005 - Aug-2009)|Logistics Manager]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Primary Caregiver (Sep-2003 - Jul-2005)|Caregiver]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Bioengineering Institute - Software Engineer (Sep 2002 - Aug 2003)|Software Engineer]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd - Development & Support Engineer (Aug 1997 - Nov 2001)|Development & Support Engineer]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Carter Holt Harvey(Tissue Group) - Production Scheduler (Ready!API/SoapUI1994 - 1996) and UI changes |Production Scheduler]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#University of Auckland - Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor (tractor/protractorSep-2003 - Jul-2005 part time)|Physics Tutor]]:* test planning and test reviews== Related wiki pages ===== [[References_-_Full_List|References]] ===:* test guild contributor[[References_-_Full_List#Dept. of Internal Affairs (TTC)| TTC]], [[References_-_Full_List#Westpac| Westpac ]], [[References_-_Full_List#Fiserv| Fiserv ]], [[References_-_Full_List#| Trade Me Motors]]
=== [[Volunteering]] ===:Whilst at Trade Me I continued to attend many WeTest MeetUps and developed a good network [[Ministry of fellow test professionals in the Testing - Auckland and New Zealand test communities. :<u>Attended</u>:*WeTest 2015 annual conference:*Rapid Software Branch|Ministry of Testing by James Bach (was awarded the coveted James Bach star) (3 day course):*Critical Thinking by Michael Bolton (1 day course):*Visual Modelling by Adam Howard (Trade Me internal training):<u>Presented</u>:*Gather 2016]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, an interactive session on Metrics Driven Development and the analysis of AB Testing data:*Agile AucklandMOTAT, Three Agile testing Lessons I learned at Trade MeEastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
===Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ (Apr 2013 - Dec 2014)[[Professional Development]] ===:Full time testing contractor to the IS departmentConferences, testing a variety of bespoke applications primarily for internal use.:*Complex quotation app for car leasing built in MS-Access :*Online driver FBT data collection portal (UI, web security, data flows from web to and from LPNZ, emailing):*Character based legacy (AS-400) system testing:*Developed a test automation framework for above character based system. :At LPNZ I was introduced to testing as a proper profession by my friend Christina Linwood. I attended the NZ Tester Magazine conferenceworkshops, and went to a full day workshop on Risk Based Testing by Matt Mansell. It was exhilarating to be with people passionate about testingmeetups etc.
===Primary Caregiver (Sep-2009 - Mar-2013) [[Education]] ===:* Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014) :* Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor (2011-2015):* MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014)University of Auckland:* Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA ME(2011-2012Elec)
===Research Assistant – University of Auckland (part time Aug 2011 - May 2012)[[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===:Set up large database (MS Access) of historic Auckland traffic flows for research into a cyclist's exposure to air pollution when commuting to and from work.
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland (part time Feb 2004 – Dec 2005)== Test Community Events ===* Registered to go to the [https://nztestingconf.nz/ NZTestingConf 2024] in Wellington to listen to *Managed * Shay Naiki, QA Manager @ Alphero: Creating a collaborative culture in the lab for approximately 20 students doing their final year projects testing world: lessons from life in BTech(Opto-electronics)a digital agency** Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre:Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup world**Primary academic supervisor for several studentsEmma Procter & Jonathan Shirley, @ PikPok: Finding the fun: researching and playtesting games at PikPok** Patricio Miner, Content Creator @ Free Range Testers: ETL: the testing niche you've never thought of** Toby Martin, QA Practice Lead @ Pushpay: Stop automating, start investigating:a guide to slowing down to speed up **Physics tutor Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester:''== Watch this space for Dept of Maori & Pacific Healthconference notes ==''
===Bluetooth Software Engineer UoA Bioengineering Institute (Sep-2002 – Aug 2003)Interesting Reads===* '''[https:Developed //www.satisfice.com/download/a Bluetooth protocol stack for -context-driven-approach-to-automation-in-testing A Context Driven Approach to Automation in Testing]''' By James Bach and Michael Bolton:Quote: ''"dynamically evaluating context and selecting, designing, or adjusting our actions to solve the telemetry of data from devices implanted in rabbits used for medical research into kidney functionproblems that we encounter. "''* '''[https:*Bluetooth HCI commands//www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/4947 Round Earth Test Strategy]''' by James Bach:*Protocol stack implemented in extremely low resource PIC micro controlerInteresting alternative to the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''. :*Code base written mainly in C and shared across multiple device typesQuote: ''There are testing problems to consider at every level, and different compilers"Quality above requires quality below".:*LabView integration''
===Physics Tutor University of Auckland (part time Jul-2002 – Sep2002)My '''[[Observability Project]]'''===* [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/hello-world.html Express.js basic hello world] and my [https://github.com/VincentDirks/node.js-in-the-cloud node.js-in-the-cloud] repo* [https://www.atlassian.com/microservices/microservices-architecture/kubernetes-vs-docker Kubernetes vs. Docker] by Josh Campbell at Atlassian <br>:Physics tutor for Dept of Maori & Pacific HealthI want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my [[Observability Project]]
===Short Term Contracts (1996 – 1997)[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===:*Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation:*Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & supportOld pre-2024 entries