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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}}
!e-mail|* Node.js* Express.js* React.js* Jest* Cypress.io* Webdriver.io|nospam1@dirksonline.net* 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
!Mob| 021-0269-6216colspan="3"||-* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)!LinkedIn* Postman, Newman| https:* Github//nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557Bitbucket* Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform* Bash & Powershell scripting* SoapUI & ReadyAPI
: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. == Related wiki pages ==:<u>Attended</u>=== [[References_-_Full_List|References]] ===:*WeTest 2015 annual conference:*Rapid Software Testing by James Bach [[References_-_Full_List#Dept. of Internal Affairs (was awarded the coveted James Bach starTTC) (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| TTC]], [[References_-_Full_List#Westpac| Westpac ]], an interactive session on Metrics Driven Development and the analysis of AB Testing data:*Agile Auckland[[References_-_Full_List#Fiserv| Fiserv ]], Three Agile testing Lessons I learned at [[References_-_Full_List#| Trade MeMotors]]
===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland (part time Feb 2004 – Dec 2005)===----:*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---
===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>]
→Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer
== 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"| Javascript! style="text-align:left"|Vincent Izaak DirksJava! style="text-align:left"| Other
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!Addresscolspan="3" style="text-align:left"|Kelvin Rd<br />Remuera<br />Auckland 1050Tools
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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 currently on a [[Mental Health and Wellbeing Break]] (Jan-2024 - Present) to give myself time for self-care and recovery following significant life events in recent years. ===[[TTC - Dept. of Internal Affairs - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2023) ===: Contracting . 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 - Engel Consulting Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (since Sep 2016Apr-2021 - Nov-2023)===:Helping Kim Engel on some interesting smaller projectsServed 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, whilst hunting and later developed a ReactJS web app for my next big career challengeviewing the test environment landscape. === [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===:<u>Presented<Served as a quality coach for a startup company developing a ReactJS Web App for the AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/u>Countering Financing of Terrorism) industry. === [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===:* Automated Testing Auckland 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 - Whiteboard Session Oct- Automation Checks that find bugs now 2020) ===: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a Postman collection to test the API and into implemented a node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the future 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 whitelisted IPs and authenticated users. === [[Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Test Engineer]] (httpJan-2017 - Apr-2020) ===:Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation. Using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript(Postman/wwwNode.meetupjs/Express.com/Automatedjs), 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 -TestingContracting]] (Sep 2016 -Auckland/events/234011605/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):* test planning and test reviews:* test guild contributor|Physics Tutor]]
===Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ (Apr 2013 - Dec 2014)[[Volunteering]] ===:Full time testing contractor to the IS department, testing a variety [[Ministry of bespoke applications primarily for internal use.:*Complex quotation app for car leasing built in MSTesting -Access :*Online driver FBT data collection portal (UIAuckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], web securityEastern Suburbs AFC, data flows from web to and from LPNZGlendowie Boating Club, 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 conferenceMOTAT, and went to a full day workshop on Risk Based Testing by Matt Mansell. It was exhilarating to be with people passionate about testing.Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
===Primary Caregiver (Sep-2009 - Mar-2013) [[Professional Development]] ===:* Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014) :* Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor (2011-2015):* MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014):* Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA (2011-2012)Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
===Research Assistant – University of Auckland (part time Aug 2011 - May 2012)[[Education]] ===:Set up large database University of Auckland: ME(MS AccessElec) 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)[[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===:Total management of all aspects of production and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by the company.
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024====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