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
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- Observability Concepts
- Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)
- Visual Modelling
- Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)
- Accessibility Testing
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Programming and Automation
| Javascript
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Java
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Other
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- Node.js, npm
- Express.js
- React
- Jest
- Cypress.io
- Webdriver.io
- mermaid.js
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- Cucumber (BDD)
- Maven
- Tidal. Wave UI automation library
- Selenium
- REST-assured
- JUnit, TestNG
- LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
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- Appium
- XCUITest
- C#: Specflow (BDD)
- SQL & SSMS
- GraphQL
- C++: Arduino, ESP32
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Tools
- Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
- Postman, Newman
- VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
- Github, Bitbucket
- Docker, Linux
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- Fiddler, Charles Proxy
- Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform
- Bash & Powershell scripting
- Atlassian, Confluence
- SoapUI, ReadyAPI
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General
- Banking and finance sector
- AML/CFT Solutions
- Online Auction Platforms
- Vehicle Leasing systems
- Platform Engineering
- Staff Mentoring & Induction
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- Agile Squad Master
- Micro-services architecture
- Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
- Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Dinghy Sailing
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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.
- 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
- 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 visualizing test environments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Logistics Manager, Caregiver, Software Engineer, Development & Support Engineer, Production Scheduler, Physics Tutor
Related wiki pages
- TTC, Westpac , Fiserv , Trade Me Motors
- Laingholm & Districts Community Association, Ministry of Testing, Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
- Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
- University of Auckland: ME(Elec)
What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024
- 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".
- I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my Observability Project
- Old pre-2024 entries
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