Qa Automation Architect

Kayathri Kandaswamy

********.**********@*****.*** +1-631-***-****

Highly motivated QA Automation Architect with over 12+ years of experience testing complex applications and products using diverse automation tools. Proficient in Object-Oriented and Aspect-Oriented Programming, Component-Based Programming, Python, Java, VBScript, and Ruby. Skilled in GenAI usage in testing activities leading a team of 18+ engineers, with a proven track record of successful project management and delivering the projects in high quality. Career Snapshot:

● 12+ years as a QA Automation Architect Engineer – SDET Lead, specialising in Functional, Automation, DevOps, and Performance Testing for Web, Cloud (AWS), Mobile, API, and Web services applications. Extensive experience designing and implementing robust testing strategies to ensure high-quality software delivery.

● AI & ML Expertise: Proficient in Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, and Natural Language Processing. These technologies have been applied to enhance automation frameworks and improve testing accuracy.

● Leadership Collaboration: Partnered with leadership and core team members to elevate quality assurance processes using Generative AI testing frameworks, driving innovation and efficiency.

● Automation Tools: Skilled in using Cypress, Selenium, UFT, and Ruby Watir for automation. Implemented scalability techniques to handle large-scale testing environments and ensure performance under load. Partnered with manual test teams to implement manual test cases into automation.

● Project Leadership: Successfully led complex testing projects from initial conceptualization through implementation, managing global delivery models with teams based onshore and offshore.

● SDLC & STLC: In-depth knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). Expert in analyzing business requirements and design documents for completeness and testability.

● Agile & Waterfall: Experienced in both Waterfall and Agile methodologies. Worked closely with Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Release Train Engineers (RTE) in Agile projects, participating in ceremonies like Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, Backlog Refinement, and Sprint Reviews.

● Test Automation Frameworks: Designed and created Enterprise Test Automation Frameworks using Java, Selenium WebDriver, Selenium Grid, JUnit, TestNG, Playwright, Maven, ANT, Jenkins, and BDD Cucumber. Ensured frameworks were scalable, maintainable, and reusable.

● Diverse Testing: Conducted various types of testing including Smoke/Sanity, Unit, System, Integration, Regression, API, Database, Performance, Compatibility, Cross-tenant, Ad-hoc, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Ensured comprehensive coverage and high-quality results.

● Performance Validation: Validated the performance and scalability of autonomous simulated machines in fully and semi-autonomous mining areas. Ensured systems met performance benchmarks and operated reliably under various conditions.

● Hardware Validation: Tested and validated hardware panels and display units used in autonomous and manned vehicles like Loaders, Shovels, and Trucks. Ensured hardware components met quality and performance standards.

● Customer Satisfaction: Consistently met and exceeded service levels, leading to significant increases in customer satisfaction and retention. Focused on delivering high-quality products that met customer expectations.

● Incident Resolution: Researched and resolved reported incidents through log analysis, problem replication, knowledge base searches, and peer collaboration. Ensured timely and effective resolution of issues.

● Proactive & Eager: Enthusiastic about taking responsibility and initiative in any given task. Experienced in working in both team and individual environments. Always eager to learn new technologies and implement them in challenging environments.

● QA Strategy: Identified QA test plans and strategies, reported bugs, and investigated member problems referred by technical support. Ensured thorough testing and high-quality deliverables.

Certifications:

● AI - 900 Microsoft Azure AI

● Generative AI For Business Leaders & Prompt Engineering

● ISTQB Certified Tester

Technical Skills:

Work Experience:

Role: QA Automation Architect/Manager

Project Title SIMPL Testing– GenAI Adoption

Company PwC

Duration Mar 2023 – Till Date

Tools Functionize (5.3.23), Selenium, Qualitia Automation Studio 8.6, Pycharm

Programming Languages &

Platforms

Python, Java, Pytest framework, GPT 4.0, Azure DevOps, Git lab, Eclipse, JIRA

Project Description:

SIMPL is an AI-driven platform integrated with the Microsoft Power Platform suite, designed to Automation Tools & Frameworks

Selenium (4.23.1), UFT (15.0.2), UI Path, Ruby Watir Functionize (5.3.23)

GenAI, Robot, Hybrid, TestNG

Programming & Scripting Languages Python, Java, VBScript, Ruby Data Visualization & Analytical Tools Tableau, PowerBI, Alteryx Microsoft & Cloud Platforms PowerApps, Power Automate Desktop, AWS, Azure CI/CD & Version Control SubVersion, GIT, Azure DevOps, Jenkins Bug Tracking & Ticket Monitoring

Bug Tracking: Azure, JIRA, HP ALM

Ticket Monitoring: ServiceNow

Databases MySQL, ORACLE

streamline ticket management for the PwC Digital Support team. It sends meaningful prompts to ensure timely responses, serving Support Engineers, L1/L2/L3 Service Managers, and Portfolio Managers/Administrators.

• Support Engineer

• L1/L2/L3 Service Managers

• Portfolio managers/Administrators

Roles & Responsibilities:

● Led a QA team of 9, taking control during a challenging phase and enhancing procedures, resulting in the complete eradication of defect leakage.

● Developed a Pytest-based test automation framework for the SIMPL application, incorporating reusable utilities.

● Integrated ChatPwC for automated results evaluation, assessing the accuracy of responses generated via SIMPL.

● Leveraged the Pytest framework to assess accuracy match scores, saving 950 hours of manual execution time across 19 apps with 5700 variant prompts per deployment in QA & UAT environments.

● Streamlined QA processes, increasing efficiency and reducing new application rollout time by 30%.

● Identified optimal scenarios for implementing test automation, avoiding counterproductive automated tests.

● Collaborated with SMEs and end users to develop functional and technical designs, unit test specifications, and ensure requirements were fully met.

● Conducted thorough analysis of QA requirements, test planning, strategy development, functional test case design, execution, and defect triage meetings.

● Monitored all business and functional requirements, documented test cases, and resolved issues efficiently.

● Created automation test scripts using a hybrid framework with Selenium WebDriver and Python.

● Utilized Azure DevOps for periodic test script execution on various platforms, including desktop and mobile.

● Expertly grouped test suites, cases, and methods for regression and functional testing using Test NG annotations.

● Led DevOps migration and automation processes for build and deploy systems, following CI/CD practices. Set up Azure DevOps master, added necessary plugins, and scaled with additional slaves.

● Integrated Jenkins with GIT for automated builds during releases, using IntelliJ for code check-in/check-out.

● Administered Azure DevOps for managing weekly build, test, and deploy chains, using a Dev/Test/Prod branching model for weekly releases. Managed code updates and push/pull requests in Git Bash using IntelliJ.

Role: QA Automation Architect/Manager

Project Title Power Platform Beta Testing

Company PwC

Duration Apr 2022 – Mar 2023

Tools PowerApps, Tableau, Alteryx, PowerBI, Qualitia 8.6.x, Selenium, SQL Server

Programming Languages &

Platforms

Power Query, Power Automate, Alteryx Workflows,

Macros, JAVA, Git Lab, JIRA, Azure, Azure DevOps

Project Description:

Power Apps allows businesses to create a powerful and intuitive application designed to streamline their business process and enhance productivity for everyday problems. Built using Microsoft PowerApps, this app provides a custom solution tailored to meet your unique needs, whether you’re managing tasks, tracking data, or collaborating with your team. Once the solutions are built on the Power Apps platform, these apps live in the cloud and can be easily shared and run on a variety of platforms including PCs, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. Roles & Responsibilities:

● Led a QA team of 18, delivering an average of 20 re-platforming assets and 4 PowerApps solutions per monthly release cycle based on customer requirements.

● Designed, developed, and enhanced automation frameworks and scripts using Qualitia, combined with a Selenium & Java hybrid framework. Executed parallel tests and generated real-time reports.

● Implemented end-to-end automation for smoke and regression testing, reducing test costs by 60%.

● Established a defect RCA process using 5-why techniques, achieving a defect prevention rate of 99.9%.

● Developed Power BI reports from Microsoft SharePoint data, creating interactive dashboards for stakeholders.

● Created multiple Power Automate flows for approvals, notifications, and data normalization.

● Developed and organized custom error pages and exception handling.

● Designed and executed manual and automated tests, and created test cases and plans using Qualitia and Selenium. Developed BDD and TDD scripts with Cucumber and Gherkin.

● Configured Qualitia, Selenium, TestNG, and Maven tools, and created Selenium automation scripts in Java.

● Executed distributed test automation across different environments using Selenium Grid and Azure DevOps as part of the CI process.

● Conducted functionality, system, integration, and regression testing of web-based reports. Developed automated functional test suites using Selenium IDE and WebDriver.

● Participated in defect review, build, and release meetings to resolve outstanding issues. Role: QA Automation Engineer/Senior Associate

Project Title DOD Visualization, WorkBench

Company PwC

Duration March 2020 – Apr 2022

Tools Tableau, Alteryx, PowerBI, Qualitia 8.6, Selenium, Programming Languages &

Platforms

Power Query, Power Automate, Alteryx Workflows,

JAVA, Git Lab, Azure, Azure DevOps, SQL Server, SOAP, REST, Jenkins, JUnit, Cucumber, Maven, SVN, TestNG Project Description:

Customizable downloadable assets, including bots, workflows, and visualizations, are designed to meet organizational needs. These cloud-based assets ingest data, perform complex calculations, and provide immediate, actionable results. Data visualization tools used include Tableau and PowerBI. Roles & Responsibilities:

● Led a QA team of 12, assigning tasks and delivering 20-25 assets per monthly release.

● Designed and implemented a Hybrid Test Automation Framework using Selenium WebDriver.

● Interacted directly with Product Owners to understand requirements and validate implementations.

● Developed, tested, and delivered complete visualization assets.

● Recommended new visualization styles to improve dashboard usability and enhance analytical insights.

● Tested PowerBI and Tableau dashboards with large data volumes, validating output data against complex formulas.

● Mentored new team members and managed knowledge-sharing activities.

● Created test plans, designed and reviewed test cases, executed tests, and managed defects. Experienced in Agile, Waterfall, and Test-Driven Development (TDD) methodologies.

● Planned, designed, executed, and evaluated performance tests using LoadRunner, ensuring optimal application performance.

● Conducted manual tests, captured results, and logged defects. Performed functional and regression testing of .NET applications using the Qualitia Automation Tool.

● Designed and reviewed test scenarios and scripts, automated test cases in Selenium, and logged defects in JIRA/ALM.

● Used SOAP UI to test SOA-based applications, including SOAP services and REST APIs.

● Generated automated scripts using QTP, maintaining functional and regression test suites.

● Performed functional, system, and regression testing on web and mobile applications throughout the project lifecycle. Actively involved in the STLC process using tools like Selenium RC/WebDriver, JMeter, and SOAP UI.

● Automated REST API services with Rest Assured – BDD and used Groovy script for automation tasks in SOAP UI.

● Designed and developed web service testing via SOAP and REST requests using SOAP UI.

● Prepared test strategies for SIT and UAT plans, managed test environments, and streamlined release management to QA environments.

● Shared daily, weekly, and monthly test status reports with leadership. Role: Senior Engineer

Project Title Minestar

Client Caterpillar

Duration Nov 2017 – Mar 2020

Tools UFT,ATF(Inhouse tool), HP ALM

Programming Languages &

Platforms

VB Script, SVN, GIT, Jenkins, JIRA

Project Description:

CAT MineStar Command for Hauling is a leading solution in the haulage systems market within the mining and automotive domains. It involves highly scalable, configurable, and concurrent multi-software and hardware products, primarily focusing on autonomous (driverless) trucks for mining areas. As a Virtual Validation Engineer, I performed various tests in different mine models for Command for Hauling and created automation scripts using ATF and UFT tools. Roles & Responsibilities:

● Validated hardware panels and display units used in autonomous and manned vehicles such as loaders, shovels, and trucks.

● Assessed the performance and scalability of autonomous simulated machines in fully and semi-autonomous mining areas.

● Validated client-server networks for haulage systems using hardware-software communication and conducted functional and integration testing with various protocols.

● Developed prototype test systems, including Hardware-In-The-Loop test suites.

● Created and executed automation test scripts using UFT (ATF, an in-house tool).

● Coordinated with subsystem engineers and project managers to identify and procure capital equipment for manufacturing tests.

● Collaborated with offshore and onsite team members to acquire the necessary knowledge for deliverables.

● Managed project creation and build setup using Jenkins. Role: Application Development Analyst

Project Title Resource Scheduler Application for Pfizer Client Accenture

Duration June 2015 – Sep 2017

Location Bangalore, India

Tools UFT 12.02 & 12.5, HP ALM

Programming Languages &

Platforms

VBScript, GIT, Jenkins, JIRA

Project Description:

Resource Scheduler Application is a global conference room scheduling tool for Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company.

Roles & Responsibilities:

● Conducted requirements gathering workshops and interviews, analyzed and validated requirements, and managed them for appropriate action.

● Estimated scripts for regression scenarios and converted manual scenarios to automation scripts based on complexity.

● Documented summary and test closure artifacts for release handling.

● Managed defect logging and tracking using JIRA.

● Identified challenging and critical defects through in-depth and regression testing across various modules.

Role: Programmer Analyst

Project Title LexisNexis

Client Cognizant

Duration July 2012 – Jun 2015

Location Chennai, India

Tools UFT 12.02 & 12.5, HP ALM, Ruby, SoapUI

Programming Languages VBScript, Ruby Watir, JIRA, GIT Project Description:

LexisNexis is a corporation that provides data mining platforms through online portals, making legal and journalistic documents more accessible electronically. Roles & Responsibilities:

● Created POCs for new applications and obtained client approval.

● Developed reusable functions to handle common scenarios and maintained a function library to reduce redundant code.

● Assigned tasks to the team and created and executed regression test cases.

● Participated in analysis sessions on requirements and application feasibility for automation.

● Calculated the level of effort for review, component development, and execution phases.

● Created and updated components in a component-based framework according to test case requirements.

Highest Educational Qualification:

● Master of Computer Applications, Bharathidasan University, Chennai, India

● Bachelor of Computer Science, Bharathidasan University, Chennai, India Awards:

● Delivery Excellence FY’24 (PwC): Recognized for leading Quality Culture within the practice/platform, resulting in a 20% increase in testing efficiency.

● October Quality Spotlight FY’23 (PwC): Ensured zero UAT defects through diligent testing, contributing to a 15% reduction in post-release issues.

● QEA - Pride of the Quarter (Cognizant): Earned customer confidence in quality deliverables for a critical project, achieving a 98% client satisfaction rate.

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