Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks: Difference between revisions

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== my cv is a wiki ==
<span id="BackToTop"></span>
and I think that's pretty cool. Welcome, feel free to explore my work history, skills, courses, projects and more. Hopefully I've arranged it so that you get a nice overview, and if you see something interesting you can dig deeper.
<div class="noprint" style="background-color:#FAFAFA; position:fixed; bottom:2%; left:0.25%; padding:0; margin:0;">
[[#BackToTop|Back to the Top]]
</div>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;"
! Name
| Vincent Dirks
|-
! e-mail
| [mailto:vincent@dirksonline.net?Subject=Enquiry%20from%20CV%20Wiki vincent@dirksonline.net]
|-
! Mob
| 021-0269-6216
|-
! LinkedIn
| [https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557 nz.linkedin.com]
|-
! Location
| [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parau Parau], West Auckland
|-
! Download
| [https://dirksonline.net/CV/2024%20Curriculum%20Vitae%20-%20Vincent%20Dirks.pdf Curriculum Vitae pdf]
|}


As at 19-Sep-2016 this site is still very much work in progress, please bear with me as it becomes more useful.
== Vincent Dirks - [[What's in a title?|Software Quality Engineer]] ==
As a versatile Software Quality Engineer, I aim to understand the nuances of the product, team dynamics, technological landscapes, and organisational structures so that I can adapt and contribute effectively. I specialise 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.


= Contact Details =
== Skills ==
Name: Vincent Dirks e-mail: nospam1@dirksonline.net
=== Testing ===
Address:
{| class="wikitable"
Kelvin Rd
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
Remuera
|
Auckland 1050
* Context Driven Testing
Mob: 021-0269-6216
* API Testing
Linkedin: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557
* 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
|}


Introduction
=== Programming and Automation ===
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 "Autonomy with Responsibility through Trust".
{| class="wikitable"
When you distil software development to its true essence, it is still about people; it is driven by people, made by people, 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.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! style="text-align:left"| JavaScript
! style="text-align:left"| Java
! style="text-align:left"| Other
|- style="vertical-align:top;"


Education
|
1993 Graduated ME (Elec) University of Auckland
* Node.js, npm
1991 Graduated BE (Elec) Hons. University of Auckland
* Express.js
* React
* Jest
* Cypress.io
* Webdriver.io
* mermaid.js
|
* [https://maven.apache.org/ Maven], [https://junit.org/ JUnit], [https://testng.org/ TestNG]
* [https://cucumber.io/ Cucumber] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavior-driven_development BDD])
* [https://rest-assured.io/ REST-assured]
* [https://www.selenium.dev/ Selenium]
* [https://www.selenium.dev/documentation/test_practices/encouraged/page_object_models/ Page Object Models] (POMs)
* [https://wave.tidalcode.dev/ Tidal. Wave]
|
* C#: Specflow (BDD)
* SQL & [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Server_Management_Studio SSMS]
* Appium
* XCUITest
* GraphQL
* C++: Arduino, ESP32
|}


Work Experience
=== Tools ===
Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me
{| class="wikitable"
– Testing changes to the iconic NZ Trade Me website (Motors Group)  
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
covering DB, UI, API, deployment, agile methods, squad mastering,
|
new staf induction and junior staff support, API & UI automation checks Dec 2014
* [https://www.splunk.com/ Splunk] (log aggregation & analysis)
Aug 2016
* Postman, Newman
Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ
* VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
– Testing various bespoke developed applications (for internal use)
* Github, Bitbucket
– Developing a test automation framework for LeasePlan Apr 2013
* Docker, Linux
Dec 2014
* Chrome Ext's [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/custom-javascript-for-web/ddbjnfjiigjmcpcpkmhogomapikjbjdk?pli=1 CJS], [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/bug-magnet/efhedldbjahpgjcneebmbolkalbhckfi Bug Magnet], [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/clear-session/maejjihldgmkjlfmgpgoebepjchengka Clear Session]
Volunteering whilst Primary Caregiver
* [https://icecreamapps.com/Screen-Recorder/ Icecream Screen Recorder]
– Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014)  
|
– Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor  (2011-2014)
 
– MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014)
* [https://www.telerik.com/fiddler Fiddler], [https://www.charlesproxy.com/ Charles Proxy], [https://www.wireshark.org/ Wireshark]
– Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA (2011-2012) Aug 2009
* Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform
Apr 2013
* Bash & [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/ PowerShell] scripting
Research Assistant – University of Auckland
* Browser Dev Tools
Set up database for research into a cyclist's exposure to air pollution when commuting to and from work in Auckland. Aug 2011
* [https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira Jira], [https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence Confluence]
May 2012
* [https://www.soapui.org/ SoapUI], [https://smartbear.com/product/ready-api/ ReadyAPI]
Logistics Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd
|}
Total management of all aspects of production and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by the company. Aug-2005
 
Aug 2009
=== General ===
BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor – University of Auckland Feb-2004 – Dec 2005
{| class="wikitable"
Bluetooth Software Engineer – UoA Bioengineering Institute Sep-2002 – Aug 2003
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
Physics Tutor – University of Auckland Jul-2002 – Sep2002
|
Senior Development & Support Engineer, Project Manager
* Banking and Finance Sector
- Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd Aug 1997 – Nov 2001
* AML/CFT Solutions
Short Term Contracts
* Online Auction Platforms
- Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation
* Vehicle Leasing systems
- Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support 1996 – 1997
* Platform Engineering
Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group
* Staff Mentoring & Induction
sales forecasting, product specifications, Continuous improvement projects 1994 – 1996
|
* Agile Squad Master
* Microservices Architecture
* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
* Electrical & Electronic Engineering
|}
 
== Work Experience ==
=== [[Water Services Reform, DIA - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===
: Contracting through [https://ttcglobal.com TTC Global]. Test Automation team, 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, addressing testing and automation needs across multiple teams. Conducted testing and automation for mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also contributed as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and developed a React web app for visualising test environments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).
 
=== [[FirstAML - 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]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
: Contracting 4 days/week. Retrofitting legacy weather radars with embedded Arduino micro controllers. Designing new electronics, PCB's, maintaining power waveguide systems, and performing signal analysis.
 
=== [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a small solution to run a Postman collection in Google Cloud Platform and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports.
 
=== [[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 the Postman Testrunner Framework (PTF) for automated API integration checks and environment health monitoring.
 
=== [[Engel Consulting - Contracting]] (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016) ===
 
=== [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
: Context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic [https://www.trademe.co.nz/ Trade Me] website, focussing on the [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors Motors] page & features. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, leading deployments, conducting test planning and peer reviews, utilising BDD and visual test tools. I gained experience with implementing agile methods, Splunk, ReadyAPI, XMind, Jira, and Confluence. I also enjoyed onboarding new staff and contributing to the test and agile guilds.
 
=== [[Pre-2014 Roles]] ===
: [[Pre-2014 Roles#LeasePlan NZ - Software Tester (Apr-2013 - Dec-2014)|Software Tester]], [[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 (1994 - 1996)|Production Scheduler]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#University of Auckland - Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor (Sep-2003 - Jul-2005 part time)|Physics Tutor]]
 
== Related wiki pages ==
=== [[References_-_Full_List|References]] ===
:[[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]]
 
=== GitHub Profile ===
: [[My GitHub Projects]]
 
=== [[Volunteering]] ===
: [https://www.neighbourly.co.nz/organisation/laingholm-district-citizens-association Laingholm & Districts Citizens Association], [[Ministry of Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
 
=== [[Professional Development]] ===
: Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
 
=== [[Education]] ===
: University of Auckland: ME(Elec) 1993
 
=== [[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===
 
----
----
 
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
 
===Learning===
* [https://www.udemy.com/course/playwright-from-zero-to-hero Udemy Playwright: Web Automation Testing From Zero to Hero]
: I'm going to try use this to test some of my CV Wiki site.
: See [[Udemy Playwright: Web Automation Testing From Zero to Hero|my notes]] as well as GitHub [https://github.com/VincentDirks/Playwright-Udemy-Course repo #1], and [https://github.com/VincentDirks/Playwright-Udemy-Course-2 repo #2]
 
===My Personal [[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>
:I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my [[Observability Project]]
 
* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
 
=== Test Community Events ===
* Registered to go to the [https://nztestingconf.nz/ NZTestingConf 2024] in Wellington to listen to
** Shay Naiki, QA Manager @ Alphero: Creating a collaborative culture in the testing world: lessons from life in a digital agency
** Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre: Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup world
** Emma 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
** Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester
:''== Watch this space for conference notes ==''
 
===Interesting Reads===
* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/download/a-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 problems that we encounter."''
* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/4947 Round Earth Test Strategy]''' by James Bach
:Interesting alternative to the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''.
:Quote: ''There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".''
 
===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===
:Old pre-2024 entries
 
----
----
 
[[#Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer|Back to Top]], Send [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback</u>]

Revision as of 08:46, 14 June 2024

Back to the Top

Name Vincent Dirks
e-mail vincent@dirksonline.net
Mob 021-0269-6216
LinkedIn nz.linkedin.com
Location Parau, West Auckland
Download Curriculum Vitae pdf

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 organisational structures so that I can adapt and contribute effectively. I specialise 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

  • 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

JavaScript Java Other
  • Node.js, npm
  • Express.js
  • React
  • Jest
  • Cypress.io
  • Webdriver.io
  • mermaid.js
  • C#: Specflow (BDD)
  • SQL & SSMS
  • Appium
  • XCUITest
  • GraphQL
  • C++: Arduino, ESP32

Tools

General

  • Banking and Finance Sector
  • AML/CFT Solutions
  • Online Auction Platforms
  • Vehicle Leasing systems
  • Platform Engineering
  • Staff Mentoring & Induction
  • Agile Squad Master
  • Microservices Architecture
  • Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
  • Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
  • Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Work Experience

Water Services Reform, DIA - Senior Test Automation Engineer (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024)

Contracting through TTC Global. Test Automation team, Three Waters Project, developing a UI Automation suite in Java using the Tidal. wave Selenium automation library

Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023)

Served as a roving Automation Quality Engineer, addressing testing and automation needs across multiple teams. Conducted testing and automation for mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also contributed as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and developed a React web app for visualising test environments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).

FirstAML - 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 (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020)

Contracting 4 days/week. Retrofitting legacy weather radars with embedded Arduino micro controllers. Designing new electronics, PCB's, maintaining power waveguide systems, and performing signal analysis.

Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020)

Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a small solution to run a Postman collection in Google Cloud Platform and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports.

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 the Postman Testrunner Framework (PTF) for automated API integration checks and environment health monitoring.

Engel Consulting - Contracting (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016)

Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016)

Context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic Trade Me website, focussing on the Motors page & features. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, leading deployments, conducting test planning and peer reviews, utilising BDD and visual test tools. I gained experience with implementing agile methods, Splunk, ReadyAPI, XMind, Jira, and Confluence. I also enjoyed onboarding new staff and contributing to the test and agile guilds.

Pre-2014 Roles

Software Tester, Logistics Manager, Caregiver, Software Engineer, Development & Support Engineer, Production Scheduler, Physics Tutor

Related wiki pages

References

TTC, Westpac , Fiserv , Trade Me Motors

GitHub Profile

My GitHub Projects

Volunteering

Laingholm & Districts Citizens Association, Ministry of Testing, Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School

Professional Development

Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.

Education

University of Auckland: ME(Elec) 1993

Presentations, Posts, and blogs

What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024

Learning

I'm going to try use this to test some of my CV Wiki site.
See my notes as well as GitHub repo #1, and repo #2

My Personal Observability Project

I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my Observability Project

Test Community Events

  • Registered to go to the NZTestingConf 2024 in Wellington to listen to
    • Shay Naiki, QA Manager @ Alphero: Creating a collaborative culture in the testing world: lessons from life in a digital agency
    • Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre: Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup world
    • Emma 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
    • Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester
== Watch this space for conference notes ==

Interesting Reads

Quote: "dynamically evaluating context and selecting, designing, or adjusting our actions to solve the problems that we encounter."
Interesting alternative to the "Test Automation Pyramid".
Quote: There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".

Archive

Old pre-2024 entries

Back to Top, Send feedback

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