Venkata Kari
Phone: +44-7522302233
Test Lead / SDET/ Automation Engineer (Mobile/Web/API)
Senior Software Engineer in Test with 13+ years of experience building and automating tests for web, backend, and mobile applications using Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, Swift, and C#. I excel in crafting test automation frameworks with JUnit, Specflow, Cucumber, CucumberJS, MSTest, NUnit, Cypress, Espresso, and XCUITest. Beyond technical expertise, I foster high-performing teams through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentoring. Adept at Agile methodologies, I have a proven track record of collaborating with internal and external teams, providing clear status reports to management, and effectively escalating issues. I leverage my expertise in project management and cloud hosting solutions (JIRA, Azure DevOps, TFS, AWS) to streamline testing processes.
Experience
American Express | London, UK | Aug 2024 - till date
Senior Automation Test Engineer
Joined as first Automation engineer in drafting the test strategy for a highly complex project with 5 development teams.
Created base automation framework for the newly hired Automation engineers to follow via detailed documentation.
Setup Automation framework for iOS and Android apps using XCUITest and ComposeTest & Espresso.
Reduced manual release regression cycle by 40% by automating the regression tests using Mock data shared between both iOS and Android clients.
Transport for London London | April 2023 - Aug 2024 | Freelance | Remote
Lead Automation Test Engineer
Lead the test strategy by crafting plans, identifying risks, and ensuring testability through requirements and design reviews.
Built a high-performing testing team through recruitment, training, coaching, and fostering a collaborative environment that celebrates success.
Setting up XCTest and XCUITest for an iOS application for a research program for road usage in London and TfL Go mobile app. Adding automated tests to validate the UI/UX, Data validation from API at multiple levels.
Mentoring newcomers in the team and providing training and support for Swift for XCUITest.
Concentrix Catalyst (formerly known as TigerSpike) | London | Jan 2022 - April 2023 | Freelance | Remote
Software Engineer in Test
Define and implement test strategy for React web app, Node backend with Strapi CMS using Gatsby to enable server-side rendering.
Introduced and developed automated testing solutions using Cypress, Playwright test framework using TypeScript for FE and BE apps.
Advocated development process to incorporate testing and validation as one of the primary requirements.
Created detailed documentation for the external maintenance team.
AKQA | London | Aug 2021 - Dec 2021 | Freelance | Remote
Senior SDET (Mobile)
Maintaining and migrating Appium test suites to native platforms (XCUITest and Espresso).
Introduced and developed automated testing solution using native test frameworks.
Worked on creating and maintaining test framework for Design system built for React, Angular and Mobile platforms in testing using Cypress and Appium.
Integrated Applitools Eyes visual regression tool to XCUITest and Espresso.
Provided training to test teams in understanding the paradigm of automation testing using Native frameworks.
Concentrix Catalyst (formerly known as TigerSpike) | London | Dec 2020 - Aug 2021 | Freelance | Remote
Software Engineer in Test
Which? | London | April 2020 - Oct 2020 | Freelance | Remote
Software Developer in Test
Championed Kotlin adoption: Introduced Kotlin as a new programming language for testing the newly developed back-end APIs, improving team efficiency.
Enhanced test coverage: Set up End-to-End tests using Wiremock to effectively mock third-party services, ensuring comprehensive testing.
Optimised application performance: Performed performance testing using JMeter for website products and APIs, identified bottlenecks, and reported findings to facilitate performance improvements.
Empowered cross-functional collaboration: Supported various teams in developing and maintaining JS TestSuites using WebDriverIO, fostering a more collaborative testing environment.
Concentrix Catalyst (formerly known as TigerSpike) | London | Oct 2019 - March 2020 | Freelance | Remote
Software Engineer in Test
Working on three mobile app projects under TigerSpike for various clients.
Created test automation suite using Espresso for Android applications using Kotlin..
Worked on creating and improving existing test automation suites for iOS apps using XCUITest.
Managing release process for android apps using proprietary tools for PCI compliance.
Test Engineer | San Francisco | Feb 2020 - March 2020 | Remote | Part-time
Test Engineer
Onboarded the team remotely to identify and fix memory leaks in api’s test execution running in docker with node env.
Provided suggestions in setting testing standards for api and web services.
Created a POCs to identify and fix memory leaks while test execution to be applied to the main app.
Provided consulting service in setting up standards for Cypress framework for web UI integration testing.
NewsUK (Sun Savers) | London | July 2018 - Sep 2019 | Freelance
SDET / Lead Automation Engineer
Working closely with both backend and frontend teams in setting up new test frameworks for backend services and front-end applications.
Created POCs for mobile application test automation using Appium and JavaScript.
Built automated acceptance test frameworks using Spring Boot/Java, Detox/Puppeteer for React Native apps, and maintained legacy backend frameworks with Cucumber.
Define test scope and coordinating test cycles with external Crowd test org for beta testing mobile apps.
Initiated and executed a successful load testing strategy using JMeter and Blazemeter.
MailOnline (Dailymail) | London (Oct 2011 - July 2018)
Lead Automation Test Engineer
Created Android test automation suites using Espresso.
Experience in setting up build environments using Jenkins and TeamCity build servers.
Debugging mobile apps(iOS and Android) code through IDEs(Xcode and Android Studio) to identify performance and functional issues.
Participated in decision-making areas beyond testing such as product development, hiring, position creation.
Understanding business models and making sure all products are up-to-date with business/commercial requirements.
Telefonica (O2) | Slough, Berkshire 2010 – 2011
Mobile Test Analyst & Quality Assurance Engineer
# Worked with two clients from San Francisco in setting up internal test teams. Helped the clients in laying the test process foundations for regular release cycles along with automated testing solutions. (under NDA)
Education
Master of Science in Computer Science)
Staffordshire University, UK
2008 - 2010
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering
JNT University, India
2003-2007