Difference between revisions of "Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks"

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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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{{ContactDetails}}
  
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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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== 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.
  
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== Contact Details ==
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== Skills ==
 +
=== Testing ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
−
!Name
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
−
|Vincent Izaak Dirks
+
|
−
|-
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* Context Driven Testing
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!e-mail
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* API Testing
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|nospam1@dirksonline.net
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* Testing Native Mobile Apps
−
|-
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* Testing Web Apps
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!Address
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* Testing Firmware/Embedded systems
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|Kelvin Rd<br />Remuera<br />Auckland 1050
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* Testability Concepts
−
|-
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|  
−
!Mob
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* Observability Concepts
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| 021-0269-6216
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* Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)
−
|-
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* Visual Modelling
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!LinkedIn
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* Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)
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| https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557
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* Accessibility Testing
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Intro ==
+
=== Programming and Automation ===
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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".  
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{| 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.
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
! style="text-align:left"| Javascript
 +
! style="text-align:left"| Java
 +
! style="text-align:left"| Other
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
 
 +
|
 +
* Node.js, npm
 +
* Express.js
 +
* React
 +
* Jest
 +
* Cypress.io
 +
* Webdriver.io
 +
* mermaid.js
 +
|
 +
* Cucumber (BDD)
 +
* Maven
 +
* Tidal. Wave UI automation library
 +
* Selenium
 +
* REST-assured
 +
* JUnit, TestNG
 +
* LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
 +
|
 +
* Appium
 +
* XCUITest
 +
* C#: Specflow (BDD)
 +
* SQL & [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Server_Management_Studio SSMS]
 +
* GraphQL
 +
* C++: Arduino, ESP32
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== Tools ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
|
 +
* [https://www.splunk.com/ Splunk] (log aggregation & analysis)
 +
* Postman, Newman
 +
* VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
 +
* Github, Bitbucket
 +
* Docker, Linux
 +
|
 +
* Fiddler, Charles Proxy
 +
* Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform
 +
* Bash & 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]
 +
|}
  
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== Education ==
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=== General ===
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1993 Graduated ME (Elec) University of Auckland<br />
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{| class="wikitable"
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1991 Graduated BE (Elec) Hons. University of Auckland<br />
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
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1989 Completed Secondary School Dux Literarum. Rutherford High School
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|
 +
* 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 ==  
 
== Work Experience ==  
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===Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me===
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At the moment 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.
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– Testing changes to the iconic NZ Trade Me website (Motors Group)  
+
 
−
covering DB, UI, API, deployment, agile methods, squad mastering,
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=== [[Water Services Reform, Dept of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===
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new staf induction and junior staff support, API & UI automation checks Dec 2014
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: Contracting through [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
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Aug 2016
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===Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ===
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=== [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===
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– Testing various bespoke developed applications (for internal use)
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: 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).
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– Developing a test automation framework for LeasePlan Apr 2013
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Dec 2014
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=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===
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===Volunteering whilst Primary Caregiver===
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: 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.
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– Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014)  
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– Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor  (2011-2014)
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=== [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
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– MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014)
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: 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.
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– Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA (2011-2012) Aug 2009
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Apr 2013
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=== [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
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===Research Assistant – University of Auckland===
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: 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.
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Set up database for research into a cyclist's exposure to air pollution when commuting to and from work in Auckland. Aug 2011
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May 2012
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=== [[Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Test Engineer]] (Jan-2017 - Apr-2020) ===
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===Logistics Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd===
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: 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.
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Total management of all aspects of production and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by the company. Aug-2005
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Aug 2009
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=== [[Engel Consulting - Contracting]] (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016) ===
 +
 
 +
=== [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
 +
: 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]] ===
 +
: [[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]]
 +
 
 +
=== [[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]] ===
 +
: 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==
 +
=== 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 ==''
  
−
===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland===
+
===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".''
  
−
Feb-2004 – Dec 2005
+
===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]]
  
−
===Bluetooth Software Engineer UoA Bioengineering Institute===
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* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
−
Sep-2002 – Aug 2003
 
  
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===Physics Tutor University of Auckland===
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===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===
−
Jul-2002 – Sep2002
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:Old pre-2024 entries
  
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===Senior Development & Support Engineer, Project Manager===
+
----
−
- Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd Aug 1997 – Nov 2001
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----
−
===Short Term Contracts===
 
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- Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation
 
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- Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support 1996 – 1997
 
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===Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group===
 
  
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sales forecasting, product specifications, Continuous improvement projects 1994 – 1996
+
[[#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>]

Latest revision as of 21:54, 9 May 2024

Name Vincent Dirks
e-mail vincent@dirksonline.net
Mob 021-0269-6216
LinkedIn nz.linkedin.com
Location Beautiful Parau, West Auckland

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, npm
  • Express.js
  • React
  • Jest
  • Cypress.io
  • Webdriver.io
  • mermaid.js
  • Cucumber (BDD)
  • Maven
  • Tidal. Wave UI automation library
  • Selenium
  • REST-assured
  • JUnit, TestNG
  • LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
  • Appium
  • XCUITest
  • C#: Specflow (BDD)
  • SQL & SSMS
  • GraphQL
  • C++: Arduino, ESP32

Tools

  • Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
  • Postman, Newman
  • VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
  • Github, Bitbucket
  • Docker, Linux

General

  • 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 taking a break from work to give myself some time for self-care after some difficult periods over the last couple of years.

Water Services Reform, Dept of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024)

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

Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023)

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).

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 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)

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.

Engel Consulting - Contracting (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016)

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

Conducted 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, 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

Laingholm & Districts Community 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)

Presentations, Posts, and blogs

What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024

Test Community Events

  • 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".

My Observability Project

I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my Observability Project

Archive

Old pre-2024 entries

Back to Top, Send feedback

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