Difference between revisions of "Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks"

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Welcome to my cv, it's a wiki and I think that's pretty cool. I'd love your [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback</u>].''
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{{ContactDetails}}
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.
 
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I am currently available for freelance work, contract, and permanent roles.
 
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{{ContactDetails}}  
 
  
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{{PersonalIntroduction}} 
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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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{{SummarySkillsMatrix}}
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== Skills ==
−
 
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=== Testing ===
−
{{Work Experience}}  
+
{| 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
 +
|}
  
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{{References}}
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=== Programming and Automation ===
−
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
{{Volunteering}}
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
−
 
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! style="text-align:left"| Javascript
−
{{CoursesConferencesWorkshopsMeetings}}
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! style="text-align:left"| Java
 +
! style="text-align:left"| 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
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" style="text-align:left"| Tools
 +
|-
 +
|colspan="3"|
 +
* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
 +
* Postman, Newman
 +
* Github/Bitbucket
 +
* Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform
 +
* Bash & Powershell scripting
 +
* SoapUI & ReadyAPI
 +
|}
  
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{{Education}}
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=== General ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|- 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
 +
|}
  
−
{{Presentations}}
+
== 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.
  
−
==Blogs & Slides==
+
=== [[TTC - Dept. of Internal Affairs - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2023) ===
−
:2017
+
: 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
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-should-testers-know-ab-testing-vincent-dirks/?trackingId=mZ1Rs%2BMuDeORCB5OTnMhxg%3D%3D Presentation slides for WeTest Auckland - 30-Nov-2017- What should testers know about A/B Testing?]
 
  
−
:2016
+
=== [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploratory-testing-automated-auckland-presentation-vincent-dirks Exploratory Automation - Using dynamic data in automation]  
+
: 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 environment landscape.
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-agile-helps-you-spend-less-time-regression-testing-vincent-dirks How agile helps you spend less time regression testing]
 
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/processes-my-passion-vincent-dirks Processes are my Passion]
 
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agile-developers-need-speed-when-fast-too-vincent-dirks Agile developers' need for speed - When is fast too fast?]
 
  
−
:2014
+
=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140923105352-202766587-oh-what-fun-it-is-to-do-a-little-coding Oh what fun it is to do a little coding...]
+
: 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.
−
:*[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140914032250-202766587-testers-mind-the-developers-ego Testers: mind the developer's ego!]
 
  
−
==What I'm reading...watching...listening==
+
=== [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
−
:''Regular Podcasts & publications''
+
: 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.
−
:*TestTalks by Joe Colantonio (link TBD)
 
−
:*Testing Trapeze (link TBD)
 
  
−
:''in progress or on the to do list''
+
=== [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
−
:*[https://leanpub.com/selenium-webdriver-book Selenium WebDriver, From Foundations To Framework, by Alex Collins and Yujun Liang] (Book Selenium Automation)
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: 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.
−
:*[http://momtestbook.com/ The Mom Test, by Rob Fitzpatrick, How to talk to customers and learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you.] (Book, Lean Startups)
 
−
:*[https://www.amazon.com/Black-Swan-Improbable-Robustness-Fragility/dp/081297381X The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. by Nassim Nicholas Taleb] (Book)
 
−
:*[https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Learned-Software-Testing-Context-Driven/dp/0471081124/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1477450378&sr=1-8&keywords=software+testing Lessons Learned in Software Testing: A Context-Driven Approach. by Cem Kaner, James Bach, Bret Pettichord] (Book, Testing)
 
−
:*[https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Machine-Learning-and-Data-Sciences-Conference/Data-Science-Summit-2016/K001/player Opening Keynote Session with Dr. Joseph Sirosh: Azure - the Cloud Supercomputer for AI]
 
−
:*[http://www.software-testing-tutorials-automation.com/2014/02/selenium-webdriver-difference-between.html Selenium WebDriver : Difference Between findElement and findElements with example]
 
−
:*[https://youtu.be/TUX7ntXlVkc Cucumber with Selenium] (Automation, series of videos)
 
  
−
:''Nov 2016''
+
=== [[Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Test Engineer]] (Jan-2017 - Apr-2020) ===
−
:*[http://socialleancanvas.com/the-canvas/ Social Lean Canvas] a tool to help social entrepreneurs apply the rigours of Lean Startup to ventures that have social or environmental goals
+
: 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.
  
−
:''Oct 2016''
+
=== [[Engel Consulting - Contracting]] (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016) ===
−
:*[https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/kenj/2014/05/19/the-future-of-quality-is-easy-with-eaasy-and-mvq/ The future of quality is easy with EaaSy and Minimum Viable Quality blog by R.K.Johnston] (Agile Testing)
 
−
:*[https://vimeo.com/44133409 Functional Automated Testing Best Practices with Selenium WebDriver by Ben Burton] (Video, Testing, Automation)
 
−
:*[http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code by Joel Spolsky] (Blog)
 
−
:*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_triviality Parkinson's law of triviality (aka Bike-shedding)] (Wikipedia)
 
−
:*[https://zxsecurity.co.nz/presentations/201607_Unrestcon-ZXSecurity_GPSSpoofing.pdf, You are not where you think you are - GPS Spoofing How to by David Robinson/Karit (@nzkarit) – ZX Security, Unrestcon 2016]
 
−
:*[https://solavirtusinvicta.wordpress.com/2016/03/25/heuristic-testing-dice/ Heuristic Testng Dice] (Testing)
 
−
:*[http://techbeacon.com/uncle-bob-martin-agile-manifesto-15-years-later Uncle Bob Martin: The Agile Manifesto, 15 years later] (Agile)
 
−
:*[https://youtu.be/ZK3jSXYBNak?list=UUcyq283he07B7_KUX07mmtA 4 essential body language tips from a world champion public speaker] (Presenting)
 
−
:*[http://www.testingtrapezemagazine.com/magazine/october-2016/ Testing Trapeze Magazine - October 2016] (Testing)
 
−
:*[https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2016/10/07/platform-as-a-service-team-takes-even-handed-approach-to-meetings/ Hand Signals at meetings to reduce interruptions] (Agile)
 
  
−
==New things I'm learning and trying out==
+
=== [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
−
:''2018''
+
: 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.
−
:* <u>Postman</u> - developing a framework that allows orchestration of calls in any API endpoint collection to mimic a number of typical user sessions with Fiserv's mobile apps. Also designing it to be re-usable across many testing, certification, and production environments, and for any Financial Institution configured in those environments. Previous API automation suites were all close tied to a specific data configuration of a mocked environment, and could not be used in fully integrated environments.  
 
  
−
:''2017''
+
=== [[Pre-2014 Roles]] ===
−
:* Primarily focusing on learning the product and testing domain as they apply to my new Test Engineering role at [[Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks#Intermediate_Test_Engineer_-_Fiserv_.28Jan_2017_-_Current.29|Fiserv]]  
+
: [[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]]
−
:** Extended internal SpecFlow (C#) suite of API automation checks for our interface with Card Services
 
−
:** Powershell scripts to help make manual deployments more efficient.
 
  
−
:''Dec 2016''
+
== Related wiki pages ==
−
:*I am starting on [[Katrina Clokie's Mobile Testing Pathway]]  
+
=== [[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]]
  
−
:''Nov 2016''
+
=== [[Volunteering]] ===
−
:*I did a [[W3C tutorial on XPATH]]. I'll give it a go next time I write some web automation scripts.
+
: [[Ministry of Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
−
:*Made a [[Protractor and node.js automation suite for Crimson Login Page]]
 
−
:*Made a [[Selenium automation suite for www.provokesolutions.com]]
 
  
−
:''Oct 2016''
+
=== [[Professional Development]] ===
−
:*bootcamp@elementalselenium.com
+
: Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
−
:*''Selenium'' - setting it up on my mac with Maven. Exploring it with ole.saintkentigern.com.
 
−
:*''Bootstrap'' - writing a static page showing 10 iFrames to show on a mobile - no joy so far
 
−
:*''HTML'' - showing 10 iFrames side by side horizontally, one for each subject my son has at school.
 
  
−
:''Sep 2016''  
+
=== [[Education]] ===
−
:*''WikiMedia'' - using the wikipedia engine to set up this cvwiki and other wiki's
+
: University of Auckland: ME(Elec)
 +
 
 +
=== [[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===
 +
 
 +
----
 +
----
 +
 
 +
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
 +
===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".''
 +
 
 +
===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]
 +
 
 +
===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===
 +
:Old pre-2024 entries
  
 
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[[new page]]
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 +
[[#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 23:36, 2 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
  • 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 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 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 environment landscape.

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

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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