Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks: Difference between revisions

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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.
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''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>]''
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{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;"
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;"
!Name
! Name
|Vincent Izaak Dirks
| Vincent Dirks
|-
|-
!e-mail
! e-mail
|nospam1@dirksonline.net
| [mailto:vincent@dirksonline.net?Subject=Enquiry%20from%20CV%20Wiki vincent@dirksonline.net]
|-
|-
!Address
! Mob
|Kelvin Rd<br />Remuera<br />Auckland 1050
| 021-0269-6216
|-
|-
!Mob
! LinkedIn
| 021-0269-6216
| [https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557 nz.linkedin.com]
|-
|-
!LinkedIn
! Location
| https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557
| [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parau Parau], West Auckland
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! Download
| [https://dirksonline.net/CV/2024%20Curriculum%20Vitae%20-%20Vincent%20Dirks%20-%202%20Page%20-%2028-Aug-2024.pdf Curriculum Vitae (2 pages)]<br/>[https://dirksonline.net/CV/2024%20Curriculum%20Vitae%20-%20Vincent%20Dirks%20-%20Long%20Form%20-%2028-Aug-2024.pdf Curriculum Vitae (Long Form)]
|}
|}


== Intro ==
== Vincent Dirks - [[What's in a title?|Software Quality Engineer]] ==
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".  
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.
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.
 
== [[Skills]] ==
=== [[Skills#Testing|Testing Skills]] ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* Context Driven Testing
* API Testing
* Testing Native Mobile Apps
* Testing Web Apps
* Testing Firmware/Embedded systems
* Data Privacy
|
* Testability & Observability Concepts
* Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)
* Visual Modelling
* Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)
* Accessibility Testing
|}
 
=== [[Skills#Automation & Programming|Programming and Automation Skills]] ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! style="text-align:left"| [[Skills#JavaScript|JavaScript]]
! style="text-align:left"| [[Skills#Java|Java]]
! style="text-align:left"| [[Skills#Other Automation & Programming|Other]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 
|
* Node.js, npm
* Express.js
* React
* Jest
* Cypress.io
* Webdriver.io
|
* [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
|}
 
=== Tools & Technologies Experience ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* [https://www.splunk.com/ Splunk]
* Postman, Newman
* VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
* Github, Bitbucket
* Docker, Linux
|
* [https://www.telerik.com/fiddler Fiddler], [https://www.charlesproxy.com/ Charles Proxy], [https://www.wireshark.org/ Wireshark]
* Jenkins, Azure DevOps (TFS), Google Cloud Platform
* Bash & [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/ PowerShell] scripting
* [https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira Jira], [https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence Confluence], [https://smartbear.com/test-management/zephyr-scale/ Zephyr Scale], [https://xmind.app/ XMind]
* [https://www.soapui.org/ SoapUI], [https://smartbear.com/product/ready-api/ ReadyAPI]
|}
 
=== Domain Experience ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* Banking and Finance Sector
* AML/CFT Sector
* Online Auction Platforms
* Vehicle Leasing systems
* Platform Engineering
* Staff Mentoring & Induction
|
* Agile (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, Squad Master)
* Microservices Architecture
* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
* Electrical & Electronic Engineering
|}


== Work Experience ==  
== Work Experience ==  
===Contracting - Engel Consulting (since Sep 2016)===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -40px"
:Helping Kim Engel on some interesting smaller projects, whilst hunting for my next big career challenge.
| [[Skills|skills]]
:<u>Presented</u>
|}
:* Automated Testing Auckland - Whiteboard Session - Automation Checks that find bugs now and into the future (http://www.meetup.com/Automated-Testing-Auckland/events/234011605/)
=== [[Upskilling & Community Roles 2024]] (May-2024 - Current) ===
===Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me (Dec 2014 - Aug 2016)===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
:Part of small squad (cross functional agile team) testing software changes to the iconic NZ Trade Me website (Motors Group) covering
| [[Skills#Playwright|Playwright]], Splunk, Docker, Node.js, Cloudlets, Wikimedia, <br/>Meetup Organising, IoT & ESP32 embedded programing
:* DB, UI, API, and architecture changes
|}
:* deployment
: Whilst looking for work and updating my online CV Wiki, I’m also leading the efforts to bring back a regular schedule of events for the [https://www.meetup.com/Ministry-of-Testing-Auckland Ministry of Testing in Auckland]. I’m pursuing personal projects with Playwright, Splunk, Docker, Node.js to setup an online publicly accessible testing hub, initially for testing my CV Wiki through [https://cloudlets.com.au Cloudlets]. I’m also dabbling in some IoT with some embedded programming of an ESP32 to send data to Splunk, such as measuring temperature and humidity around my home.
:* agile methods and squad mastering
 
:* new staff induction and junior staff support
=== [[Water Services Reform, DIA - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===
:* test automation for API (Ready!API/SoapUI) and UI changes (tractor/protractor)
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
:* test planning and test reviews
| [[Skills#Java|Java]], [[Skills#Maven|Maven]], [[Skills#Selenium|Selenium]], [[Skills#Page Object Models|POM's]], [[Skills#Tidal. Wave|Tidal. Wave]], [[Skills#IntelliJ|IntelliJ]], <br/>[[Skills#Web App Testing|Web App Testing]], [[Skills#Azure DevOps (TFS)|Azure DevOps]]
:* test guild contributor
|}
: 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) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Banking and Finance Sector|Banking]], [[Skills#API Testing|API's]], [[Skills#Native Mobile App Testing|Mobile]], [[Skills#Web App Testing|Web]], [[Skills#Observability Concepts|Observability]], [[Skills#Accessibility Testing|Accessibility]], [[Skills#Microservices Architecture|Microservices]], [[Skills#Java|Java]], <br />[[Skills#Cucumber (BDD)|Cucumber]], [[Skills#TestNG|TestNG]], [[Skills#REST-assured|REST-assured]], [[Skills#Selenium|Selenium]], [[Skills#Page Object Models|POM's]], [[Skills#JavaScript|JavaScript]], [[Skills#React|React]], <br />[[Skills#Jest|Jest]], [[Skills#Linux|Linux]], [[Skills#Docker|Docker]], [[Skills#Kafka & Azure Event Queues|Event Queues]], [[Skills#Appium & XCUITest|Appium, XCUITest]], [[Skills#Fiddler, Charles Proxy, Wireshark|Charles Proxy]], <br />[[Skills#Jira, Confluence|Jira, Confluence, Zephyr]], [[Skills#Splunk|Splunk]], [[Skills#Platform Engineering|Platform Engineering]], [[Skills#Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform|Jenkins, Azure Devops]]
|}
 
: 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) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Postman, Newman|Postman]], [[Skills#AML/CFT Sector|AML/CFT]], [[Skills#Accessibility Testing|Accessibility]], [[Skills#Data Privacy|Data Privacy]], [[Skills#GraphQL|GraphQL]], AWS
|}
: 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) sector.
 
=== [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics|Weather Radar Systems]], [[Skills#Electrical & Electronic Engineering|Electronics]], <br />[[Skills#Firmware & Embedded System Testing|Embedded Testing]], [[Skills#C++, Arduino, ESP32|Arduino]]
|}
: 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) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Postman, Newman|Postman, Newman]], [[Skills#Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform|Google Cloud Platform]], <br />[[Skills#JavaScript|JavaScript]], [[Skills#Node.js|Node.js]], [[Skills#Express.js|Express.js]]
|}
: 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) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Banking and Finance Sector|Banking]], [[Skills#Programming & Automation|Automation]], [[Skills#API Testing|API Testing]], [[Skills#Native Mobile App Testing|Mobile Testing]], [[Skills#Accessibility Testing|Accessibility]], [[Skills#Observability Concepts|Observability]], <br />[[Skills#Postman, Newman|Postman]], [[Skills#Splunk|Splunk]], [[Skills#JavaScript|JavaScript]], [[Skills#Node.js|Node.js]], [[Skills#Express.js|Express.js]], [[Skills#C#, Specflow (BDD)|C#, Specflow (BDD)]], <br />[[Skills#SQL & SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)|SQL & SSMS]], [[Skills#Fiddler, Charles Proxy, Wireshark|Fiddler]], [[Skills#Jira, Confluence|Jira, Confluence]], [[Skills#Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform|Microsoft Test Manager]], [[Skills#Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform|TFS]], [[Skills#Bash & PowerShell scripting|PowerShell]]
|}
 
: 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.
 
=== [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Context Driven Testing|Context Driven Testing]], [[Skills#Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)|Exploratory Testing]], [[Skills#Agile Squad Master|Agile]], [[Skills#Testability Concepts|Testability]], [[Skills#Accessibility Testing|Accessibility]], <br />[[Skills#Observability Concepts|Observability]], [[Skills#Jira, Confluence|Jira, Confluence]], DB, [[Skills#Web App Testing|Web App]], [[Skills#Native Mobile App Testing|Mobile]], [[Skills#API Testing|API Testing]], [[Skills#Bash & PowerShell scripting|PowerShell]], <br />[[Skills#Splunk|Splunk]], [[Skills#SoapUI, ReadyAPI|ReadyAPI]], [[Skills#Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)|A/B Testing]], [[Skills#XMind|XMind]], [[Skills#Staff Mentoring & Induction|Onboarding]], [[Skills#SQL & SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)|SQL & SSMS]]
|}
: 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]] ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px"
| [[Skills#Risk Based Testing|Risk Based Testing]], VB, [[Skills#Firmware & Embedded System Testing|Embedded Dev & Test]], [[Skills#Manufacturing Resource Planning|MRP II]], [[Skills#Electrical & Electronic Engineering|Electronics]], Logistics, Networking, [[Skills#Teaching & Tutoring|Training & Tutoring]], <br />[[Skills#C++, Arduino, ESP32|C++]], Customer & Tech Support, Production Planning, Documentation, Specifications, Sales Forecasting
|}
: [[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]]


:Whilst at Trade Me I continued to attend many WeTest MeetUps and developed a good network of fellow test professionals in the Auckland and New Zealand test communities.  
=== [[Volunteering]] ===
:<u>Attended</u>
: [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
:*WeTest 2015 annual conference
:*Rapid Software 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, an interactive session on Metrics Driven Development and the analysis of AB Testing data
:*Agile Auckland, Three Agile testing Lessons I learned at Trade Me


===Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ (Apr 2013 - Dec 2014)===
=== [[Professional Development]] ===
:Full time testing contractor to the IS department, testing a variety of bespoke applications primarily for internal use.
: Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
:*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 conference, and went to a full day workshop on Risk Based Testing by Matt Mansell. It was exhilarating to be with people passionate about testing.


===Primary Caregiver (Sep-2009 - Mar-2013) ===
=== [[Education]] ===
:* Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014)
: University of Auckland: ME(Elec) 1993
:* Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor  (2011-2015)
:* MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014)
:* Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA (2011-2012)


===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.


===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.
----


===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland (part time Feb 2004 – Dec 2005)===
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
:*Managed the lab for approximately 20 students doing their final year projects in BTech(Opto-electronics)
:*Primary academic supervisor for several students
:*Physics tutor for Dept of Maori & Pacific Health


===Bluetooth Software Engineer UoA Bioengineering Institute (Sep-2002 – Aug 2003)===
===Learning===
:Developed a Bluetooth protocol stack for the telemetry of data from devices implanted in rabbits used for medical research into kidney function.  
* [https://www.udemy.com/course/playwright-from-zero-to-hero Udemy Playwright: Web Automation Testing From Zero to Hero]
:*Bluetooth HCI commands
: I'm going to try use this to test some of my CV Wiki site.  
:*Protocol stack implemented in extremely low resource PIC micro controler
: 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]
:*Code base written mainly in C and shared across multiple device types, and different compilers.
:*LabView integration


===Physics Tutor University of Auckland (part time Jul-2002 – Sep2002)===
===My Personal [[Observability Project]]===
:Physics tutor for Dept of Maori & Pacific Health
* [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]]


===Senior Development & Support Engineer, Project Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd (Aug 1997 – Nov 2001)===
* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
:Monitor developed a cost management solution primarily for tracking photocopying through electronic swipe card terminals
:*Global customer support lead
:*Testing
:*Release Management
:*Global training
:*Project Manager for Burswood Casino to develop a terminal based system for a premium player loyalty program


===Short Term Contracts (1996 – 1997)===
=== Test Community Events ===
:*Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation
* Attended [https://nztestingconf.nz/ NZTestingConf 2024] in Wellington. Presentations:
:*Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support
** 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


===Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group (1994 – 1996)===
===Interesting Reads===
:*Production scheduling (MRPII) of diapers and facial tissues
* '''[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
:*Sales forecasting
:Quote: ''"dynamically evaluating context and selecting, designing, or adjusting our actions to solve the problems that we encounter."''
:*Product specifications
* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/4947 Round Earth Test Strategy]''' by James Bach
:*Continuous improvement projects
:Interesting alternative to the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''.
:*Developed a VB application to automate the generation of excel productions plans from data in AS-400
:Quote: ''There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".''


== Education ==
===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===
:*1993 ME (Elec) University of Auckland
:Old pre-2024 entries
:*1991 BE (Elec) Hons. University of Auckland
:*1989 Secondary School Dux Literarum. Rutherford High School

Latest revision as of 21:51, 27 August 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 (2 pages)
Curriculum Vitae (Long Form)

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 Skills

  • Context Driven Testing
  • API Testing
  • Testing Native Mobile Apps
  • Testing Web Apps
  • Testing Firmware/Embedded systems
  • Data Privacy
  • Testability & Observability Concepts
  • Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)
  • Visual Modelling
  • Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)
  • Accessibility Testing

Programming and Automation Skills

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

Tools & Technologies Experience

  • Splunk
  • Postman, Newman
  • VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
  • Github, Bitbucket
  • Docker, Linux

Domain Experience

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

Work Experience

skills

Upskilling & Community Roles 2024 (May-2024 - Current)

Playwright, Splunk, Docker, Node.js, Cloudlets, Wikimedia,
Meetup Organising, IoT & ESP32 embedded programing
Whilst looking for work and updating my online CV Wiki, I’m also leading the efforts to bring back a regular schedule of events for the Ministry of Testing in Auckland. I’m pursuing personal projects with Playwright, Splunk, Docker, Node.js to setup an online publicly accessible testing hub, initially for testing my CV Wiki through Cloudlets. I’m also dabbling in some IoT with some embedded programming of an ESP32 to send data to Splunk, such as measuring temperature and humidity around my home.

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

Java, Maven, Selenium, POM's, Tidal. Wave, IntelliJ,
Web App Testing, Azure DevOps
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)

Banking, API's, Mobile, Web, Observability, Accessibility, Microservices, Java,
Cucumber, TestNG, REST-assured, Selenium, POM's, JavaScript, React,
Jest, Linux, Docker, Event Queues, Appium, XCUITest, Charles Proxy,
Jira, Confluence, Zephyr, Splunk, Platform Engineering, Jenkins, Azure Devops
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)

Postman, AML/CFT, Accessibility, Data Privacy, GraphQL, AWS
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) sector.

Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020)

Weather Radar Systems, Electronics,
Embedded Testing, Arduino
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)

Postman, Newman, Google Cloud Platform,
JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js
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)

Banking, Automation, API Testing, Mobile Testing, Accessibility, Observability,
Postman, Splunk, JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js, C#, Specflow (BDD),
SQL & SSMS, Fiddler, Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Test Manager, TFS, PowerShell
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.

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

Context Driven Testing, Exploratory Testing, Agile, Testability, Accessibility,
Observability, Jira, Confluence, DB, Web App, Mobile, API Testing, PowerShell,
Splunk, ReadyAPI, A/B Testing, XMind, Onboarding, SQL & SSMS
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

Risk Based Testing, VB, Embedded Dev & Test, MRP II, Electronics, Logistics, Networking, Training & Tutoring,
C++, Customer & Tech Support, Production Planning, Documentation, Specifications, Sales Forecasting
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

  • Attended NZTestingConf 2024 in Wellington. Presentations:
    • 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

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
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