Difference between revisions of "Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks"

Revision as of 09:54, 4 May 2024

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.

TTC - Dept. of Internal Affairs - Senior Test Automation Engineer (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024)

Contracting. 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 Postman collection to test the API and implemented a node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the 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 (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

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

Interesting Reads

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."

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

Express.js basic hello world and my node.js-in-the-cloud repo
Kubernetes vs. Docker by Josh Campbell at Atlassian

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 Docker Splunk Image

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<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.
+{{ContactDetails}}
-''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>]''
-{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;"
+== Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer ==
-!Name
+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.
-|Vincent Izaak Dirks
-|-
+== Skills ==
-!e-mail
+=== Testing ===
-|nospam1@dirksonline.net
+{| 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
+|}
+=== Programming and Automation ===
+{| class="wikitable"
+|- style="vertical-align:top;"
+! style="text-align:left"| Javascript
+! style="text-align:left"| Java
+! style="text-align:left"| Other
 |-
-!Address
+|
-|Kelvin Rd<br />Remuera<br />Auckland 1050
+* 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
 |-
-!Mob
+!colspan="3" style="text-align:left"| Tools
-| 021-0269-6216
 |-
-!LinkedIn
+|colspan="3"|
-| https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557
+* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
+* Postman, Newman
+* Github/Bitbucket
+* Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform
+* Bash & Powershell scripting
+* SoapUI & ReadyAPI
 |}
-== 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 "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;"
+|
+* 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 ==
-===Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me (Dec 2014 - Aug 2016)===
+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.
-:Part of small squad (cross functional agile team) testing software changes to the iconic NZ Trade Me website (Motors Group) covering
-:* DB, UI, API, and architecture changes
+=== [[TTC - Dept. of Internal Affairs - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===
-:* deployment
+: 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
-:* agile methods and squad mastering
-:* new staff induction and junior staff support
+=== [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===
-:* test automation for API (Ready!API/SoapUI) and UI changes (tractor/protractor)
+: 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.
-:* test planning and test reviews
-:* test guild contributor
+=== [[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 Postman collection to test the API and implemented a node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the 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]] (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) ===
-===Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ (Apr 2013 - Dec 2014)===
+=== [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
-:Full time testing contractor to the IS department, testing a variety of bespoke applications primarily for internal use.
+: 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.
-:*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) ===
+=== [[Pre-2014 Roles]] ===
-:* Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014)
+: [[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]]
-:* 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)===
+== Related wiki pages ==
-: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.
+=== [[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]]
-===Logistics Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd===
+=== [[Volunteering]] ===
-Total management of all aspects of production and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by the company.	Aug-2005
+: [[Ministry of Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
-Aug 2009
-===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland===
+=== [[Professional Development]] ===
+: Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
-Feb-2004 – Dec 2005
+=== [[Education]] ===
+: University of Auckland: ME(Elec)
-===Bluetooth Software Engineer UoA Bioengineering Institute===
+=== [[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===
-Sep-2002 – Aug 2003
-===Physics Tutor University of Auckland===
+----
-Jul-2002 – Sep2002
+----
-===Senior Development & Support Engineer, Project Manager===
+==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
- Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd	Aug 1997 – Nov 2001
+===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".''
-xxx
+===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]]
- test -
+* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
-===Short Term Contracts===
+===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===
- - Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation
+:Old pre-2024 entries
- - Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support	1996 – 1997
-===Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group===
-sales forecasting, product specifications, Continuous improvement projects	1994 – 1996
+----
+----
-== Education ==
+[[#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>]
-	ME (Elec) University of Auckland<br />
-		BE (Elec) Hons. University of Auckland<br />
-	Secondary School Dux Literarum. Rutherford High School