Quality Assurance Analyst

CHAD VARGASON

- SENIOR QUALITY ANALYST & QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST -

Pasadena, MD 21122 443-***-**** ad5rom@r.postjobfree.com

Navigating the Complexities of Test Scripting Expertise in Reliability, Performance, and Quality

Highly skilled, certified Senior Quality Analyst with over 20 years of experience in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) within Agile frameworks. Specializes in Quality Assurance with 15+ years in operational and beta testing. Expertise spans every project phase, from requirements definition to system sustainment. High emotional intelligence enhances team dynamics, facilitates the mentoring of testers at all levels, and fosters strong relationships with development teams and clients.

Ensure Product Quality: Oversee the development and implementation of test scripts and cases in Azure DevOps to guarantee that the final product meets product requirements and end-user expectations.

Collaborate Across Departments: Work closely with various organizational units to validate test cases based on quality requirements and recommend changes to pre-established quality guidelines.

Analyze and Report: Compile statistical data and report bugs while proactively identifying potential issues in the design phase to facilitate timely solutions.

Optimize Resource Allocation: Employ effective prioritization and organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities, ensuring efficient use of time and resources.

Enhance Communication Channels: Utilize excellent oral and written communication skills to facilitate clear and concise interactions among team members and stakeholders, improving project outcomes.

- CORE COMPETENCIES -

Quality Assurance Test Scripts Product Requirements End-User Expectations Functional Testing Regression Testing Azure DevOps Problem-Solving Data Analysis Team Collaboration Agile Methodologies SDLC Knowledge Bug Reporting Detail Orientation Effective Communication Leadership Skills Code Review

Technical Skills

Platforms: Windows, Linux, Unix

Programming: XML SQL Proficient (Cypress Testing – JavaScript)

Tools: Microsoft Team Foundation Server Azure DevOps TestRail

Salesforce Rational ClearCase ClearQuest CruiseControl VMWare

- PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE -

Test Lead (Contract) Nakupuna Companies Arlington, VA 05/2023 - 09/2023

Guided a small tester team in crafting and executing test scenarios and cases, validating requirements and user stories derived from Functional Design Documentation for a PeopleSoft Payroll and Personnel system.

Key Accomplishments:

1.Directed the development of an End-to-End Testing Strategy for PeopleSoft tools. Conducted extensive research on Business Process Models and over 50 Functional Design Documents to extract requirements and user stories.

2.Mentored two junior testers. Achieved the creation of 20 Test Scenarios and 78 Test Cases within three months, contributing to half of the documentation.

3.Assigned as Lead Tester and managed two team members, coordinating efforts through one-on-one mentoring and team meetings. Aligned expectations with testing and project management.

4.Earned recognition from the Project Leader and client praise during a client meeting for identifying various defects and demonstrating diligence in testing efforts and documentation.

Quality Assurance Specialist Berkshire Associates, Inc. Columbia, MD 02/2014 - 05/2023

Verified compliance with system and functional requirements through primary QA testing for affirmative action software. Delivered support for Applicant Tracking and Pay Equity Analysis Software with developers and clients.

Key Accomplishments:

1.Implemented TestRail, mastering its capabilities to develop test cases and functional areas. Resulted in 470 comprehensive test cases for System, Functional, Integration, and Regression Testing.

2.Optimized Integration, Regression, and Smoke Testing by 50% through developing and maintaining test cases and runs, leveraging TestRail software.

3.Transitioned development efforts from Team Foundation Server to Azure DevOps for an enhanced legacy software suite, identifying twelve development inconsistencies for compatibility improvements, creating twenty-four functional test cases, and converting 350 TestRail cases for the new system.

4.Provided ad-hoc functional training on new features and technical support to Sales Personnel, enhancing their presentations for potential clients and conducting fifteen training sessions.

Software Systems Engineer/Tester SAIC Columbia, MD 05/2009 - 03/2012

Completed manual quality assurance, verification, and testing of Software Change Requests, including bug fixes and system enhancements, while leveraging Python scripts for automated testing.

Key Accomplishments:

1.Served as the key contact for the CruiseControl continuous integration tool, coordinating server maintenance, troubleshooting, and configuring Unit Test files to diagnose and resolve failed builds.

2.Assigned to aid with XML scripts for Interactive Electronic Training Modules, mastered XML and IETM formatting to create and maintain seventy modules for system function verification and validation.

3.Developed, improved, and supported 12 Virtual Machines for seamless testing across three distinct environments.

4.Reduced user and system-level needs testing by 30% by developing test cases and processes for QA and Development staff.

- Earlier Roles -

Software Tester/Quality Assurance Specialist SAIC Columbia, MD 07/2008 - 04/2009

Conducted System and Alpha software testing on three projects (ISFD, IIRR, and DCII) using Java software and Oracle databases while developing and executing test procedures and cases for enhancements. Compiled artifacts for CMMI Level 3 audits.

Project Manager SAIC Columbia, MD 01/2004 - 01/2008

Managed project, budget, and resources while consulting with the Government Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, ensuring complete execution of statement of work requirements and prompt, on-budget delivery.

Senior Signals Analyst - SME (Subject Matter Expert) SAIC Columbia, MD 01/2002 - 01/2007

Delivered signals analysis support to the customer, indicating proficiency in automated processing & reporting systems. Served as the technical liaison between the customer and software engineers. Performed various system level tasks in UNIX/LINUX environments, such as maintaining RAIDs, workstations, files, and processes.

- EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & MILITARY -

Associate Degree in Computer Science The University of Management & Technology (UMT) Arlington, VA

CERTIFICATIONS: ISTQB Certified Software Tester (CTFL) ASTQB Rockville, MD

Scrum Fundamentals Certified (SFC) SCRUMstudy

Board Certified Mental Health Coach IBCC Forest, VA

TRAINING: SQL Bootcamp Udemy – Online (currently SQL, API, Cypress)

MILITARY: United States Air Force Signals Analysis Team Leader Honorable Discharge

Contact this candidate