Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks: Difference between revisions

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{{ContactDetails}}
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{{PersonalIntroduction}} 
== 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.


{{SummarySkillsMatrix}}
== Skills ==
 
=== Testing ===
{{Work Experience}}  
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* 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
|}


==References==
=== Programming and Automation ===
[[References_-_Full_List|Link to references page]]
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
{{Volunteering}}
! style="text-align:left"| Javascript
 
! style="text-align:left"| Java
{{CoursesConferencesWorkshopsMeetings}}
! style="text-align:left"| Other
|-
|
* Node.js
* Express.js
* React.js
* Jest
* Cypress.io
* Webdriver.io
|
* 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
|-
!colspan="3" style="text-align:left"| Tools
|-
|colspan="3"|
* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
* Postman, Newman
* Github/Bitbucket
* Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform
* Bash & Powershell scripting
* SoapUI & ReadyAPI
|}


{{Education}}
=== General ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* Platform Engineering
* Staff Mentoring & Induction
* Agile Squad Master
* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
* Electrical & Electronic Engineering
|}


{{Presentations}}
== 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.


==Blogs & Slides==
=== [[Water Services Reform, Dept of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===
:2017
: 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
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-should-testers-know-ab-testing-vincent-dirks/?trackingId=mZ1Rs%2BMuDeORCB5OTnMhxg%3D%3D Presentation slides for WeTest Auckland - 30-Nov-2017- What should testers know about A/B Testing?]


:2016
=== [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploratory-testing-automated-auckland-presentation-vincent-dirks Exploratory Automation - Using dynamic data in automation]  
: 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.
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-agile-helps-you-spend-less-time-regression-testing-vincent-dirks How agile helps you spend less time regression testing]
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/processes-my-passion-vincent-dirks Processes are my Passion]
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agile-developers-need-speed-when-fast-too-vincent-dirks Agile developers' need for speed - When is fast too fast?]


:2014
=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140923105352-202766587-oh-what-fun-it-is-to-do-a-little-coding Oh what fun it is to do a little coding...]
: 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.
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140914032250-202766587-testers-mind-the-developers-ego Testers: mind the developer's ego!]


==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out==
=== [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
''2024''
: Contracting 4 days/week. Helping modify legacy weather radars with some embedded Arduino micro controllers. Designing new electronics, PCB's, maintaining power waveguide systems, and performing signal analysis.
*[https://www.atlassian.com/microservices/microservices-architecture/kubernetes-vs-docker Kubernetes vs. Docker] by Josh Campbell at Atlassian
...


''[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive of pre-2024 entries]]''
=== [[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 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]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
: Part of a small squad at Trade Me, I conducted context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic website. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, leading deployments, conducting test planning and peer reviews, utilizing 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#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]]
 
=== [[Volunteering]] ===
: Laingholm & Districts Community 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)
 
=== [[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===


----
----
Send [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback</u>]
----
 
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
=== 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".''
 
===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>
: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]
 
===[[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 03:04, 6 May 2024

Template:ContactDetails

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

  • 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
  • Express.js
  • React.js
  • Jest
  • Cypress.io
  • Webdriver.io
  • 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
Tools
  • Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
  • Postman, Newman
  • Github/Bitbucket
  • Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform
  • Bash & Powershell scripting
  • SoapUI & ReadyAPI

General

  • Platform Engineering
  • Staff Mentoring & Induction
  • Agile Squad Master
  • Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
  • Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, 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 TTC Global. Part of the Test Automation team for the 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, 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 - 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. Helping modify legacy weather radars with some 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 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 (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016)

Part of a small squad at Trade Me, I conducted context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic website. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, leading deployments, conducting test planning and peer reviews, utilizing 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

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

Related wiki pages

References

TTC, Westpac , Fiserv , Trade Me Motors

Volunteering

Laingholm & Districts Community 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)

Presentations, Posts, and blogs

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

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".

My Observability Project

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

Archive

Old pre-2024 entries

Back to Top, Send feedback

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