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I specialize in adapting to diverse contexts to deliver high-quality software solutions efficiently, and I'm passionate about testing and tool development, they are both critical to driving software excellence and maintaining delivery speed. == Skills Summary ==
===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]
→Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer
{{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. My approach extends I specialize in adapting to diverse contexts, and look beyond traditional testing methodologies; I to consider the design of the whole quality ecosystem that facilitates excellence and efficiency in necessary for delivering quality software developmentsolutions efficiently.
=== Testing ===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:left"| Java
! style="text-align:left"| Other
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* Node.js, npm
* Express.js
* React.js
* Jest
* Cypress.io
* Webdriver.io
* mermaid.js
|
* Cucumber (BDD)
* Maven* Tidal . Wave UI automation library
* Selenium
* REST Assured-assured
* JUnit, TestNG
* LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
* XCUITest
* C#: Specflow (BDD)
* SQL& [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Server_Management_Studio SSMS]
* GraphQL
* C++: Arduino, ESP32
|-} === Tools ===!colspan{| class="3wikitable" |- style="textvertical-align:lefttop;"| Tools|-|colspan="3"|* [https://www.splunk.com/ Splunk ] (log aggregation & analysis)
* Postman, Newman
* VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio* Github, Bitbucket* Docker, Linux* Chrome Ext's [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/custom-javascript-for-web/ddbjnfjiigjmcpcpkmhogomapikjbjdk?pli=1 CJS], [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/bug-magnet/efhedldbjahpgjcneebmbolkalbhckfi Bug Magnet], [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/clear-session/maejjihldgmkjlfmgpgoebepjchengka Clear Session] * [https://icecreamapps.com/Screen-Recorder/ Icecream Screen Recorder]|* Browser Dev Tools* [https://www.telerik.com/fiddler Fiddler], [https://www.charlesproxy.com/ Charles Proxy], [https:/Bitbucket/www.wireshark.org/ Wireshark]* Jenkins, Azure Devops, (TFS), Google Cloud Platform* Bash & Powershell [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/ PowerShell] scripting* [https://www.atlassian.com Atlassian], [https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira Jira], [https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence Confluence]* [https://www.soapui.org/ SoapUI & ], [https://smartbear.com/product/ready-api/ ReadyAPI]
|}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
* Banking and finance sector
* AML/CFT Solutions
* Online Auction Platforms
* Vehicle Leasing systems
* Platform Engineering
* Staff Mentoring & Induction
|
* Agile Squad Master
* Micro-services architecture
* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
* Electrical & Electronic Engineering
* Dinghy Sailing
|}
== Work Experience ==
At the moment I am currently on taking a [[Mental Health and Wellbeing Break]] (Jan-2024 - Present) break from work to give myself some time for self-care and recovery following significant life events in recent after some difficult periods over the last couple of years.
=== [[TTC - Water Services Reform, Dept. of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-20232024) ===: Contractingthrough [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
=== [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===
: Served as a Roving roving Automation Quality Engineer, bridging addressing testing and automation gaps needs across multiple teams. Tested Conducted testing and automated automation for mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also undertook a secondment contributed as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and later developed a ReactJS React web app for viewing the visualizing test environment landscapeenvironments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).
=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===
=== [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a small solution to run 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 , using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript(Postman/, Node.js/, Express.js), Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created a [[the Postman Testrunner Framework]] (PTF) 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 Conducted 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, 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]] ===
=== [[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]] ===
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
===My Personal [[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]
=== 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
:Interesting alternative to the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''.
:Quote: ''There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".''
===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===