Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
References
Timeline
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Christopher John

Wroughton,Wiltshire

Summary

Security Cleared (SC) Senior Test Specialist with extensive experience in the defence & banking industries, delivering high-assurance testing in secure, regulated environments. Proficient in Agile development practices, with strong capabilities in performance testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and hardware/software

integration. Skilled in developing test plans, compiling comprehensive test outcome reports, and overseeing site hardware installations. Adept at working within multidisciplinary teams to ensure system reliability, compliance, and operational readiness for mission-critical defence projects.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Performance Lead

IBM UK Ltd
Hursley, Hampshire
04.2024 - Current

Led the performance testing efforts, responsible for establishing the overall test strategy for a complex Air Traffic Control System. Writing detailed test scripts to evaluate system performance. Developed Perfmon counters for data collection and worked closely with the development team to create custom tooling tailored to performance testing needs. Spearheaded the integration of Grafana and InfluxDB for real-time monitoring and data visualization, including scripting the creation of dynamic dashboards within Grafana. Innovated a Proof of Concept for active performance monitoring using Telegraf, significantly reducing test execution time and enhancing efficiency in performance testing cycles.

Additionally, implemented an efficient soak testing regime as part of each system deployment to validate the reliability of safety-critical features, ensuring consistent long-duration performance and stability under operational loads.

Flight Plan Test Lead

IBM UK Ltd
Hursley, Hampshire
09.2023 - 04.2024

Appointed to lead and stabilise a critical area of the project, successfully turning around a struggling test domain. Responsible for writing and executing flight plan test cases, aligning closely with system requirements and operational expectations. Gained a strong understanding of Regional Pressure Setting (RPS) data to ensure accurate validation. Built trusted relationships with the client through proactive communication, issue resolution, and consistent delivery.

Simulation Test Lead

IBM UK Ltd
Hursley, Hampshire
10.2020 - 09.2023

Led the testing of advanced simulation systems for the Guardian Air Traffic Control System, responsible for writing and executing detailed test cases aligned with operational requirements. Collaborated with engineering teams to define and verify system requirements, with a strong focus on tactical data link integration. Built and maintained trust with clients by providing clear, timely responses to questions

and feedback, and by ensuring transparency throughout the testing lifecycle. Managed on-site installation and verification activities, ensuring successful deployment and operational readiness in secure, mission-critical environment

Senior test analyst

IBM UK Ltd
Hursley, Hampshire
03.2020 - 10.2020

Responsible for preparing RQM test cases, scripts, and test data in response to evolving requirements, software updates, and infrastructure changes. Executed tests across multiple levels, including System Test, System Integration Test, Factory Acceptance Test, and Site Acceptance Test, while strictly adhering to formal test processes. Conducted on-site testing at RAF locations, including execution of Early Interface Test Scripts. Logged and managed defects using RTC, updated scripts accordingly, and re-tested fixes to verify resolution. Contributed to project planning by providing estimates for test preparation efforts and regularly reported progress to the Test Lead and Test Manager.

Test analyst

IBM UK Ltd
Swindon, Wiltshire
08.2017 - 03.2020

Supported Nationwide through several high-profile and technically complex projects, including Open Banking Releases 2 & 3, Open Banking Compete, and the implementation of two-factor authentication for the Nationwide Banking App. Played a key role in defining testing levels, coverage, and types, and authored comprehensive Detailed Test Plans and Test Outcome Reports.

Led and facilitated Test Quality Gate (TQG) sessions, and took full ownership of testing activities within an Agile delivery team. Maintained effective communication with stakeholders across business and technical teams, safeguarding test governance and ensuring consistent quality standards.

Built and sustained strong vendor relationships, and contributed to the successful integration of cloud-based microservices with the mobile app. Helped implement Model-Based Testing using ARD, developed SoapUI automation tests for new services, and established the team’s Automated Regression Pack to support continuous delivery.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Mathematics

University of Plymouth
Plymouth
09/2011 - 05/2016

Skills

  • Soak testing
  • Servers and infrastructure understanding
  • Performance metrics interpretation
  • Data analysis capability
  • Team Leadership
  • Resourcefulness
  • Quality Assurance
  • Process Improvement

Affiliations

  • Music
  • Cycling
  • Hiking

Certification

ISTQB Foundation Certification

Registered Scrum Master

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Performance Lead

IBM UK Ltd
04.2024 - Current

Flight Plan Test Lead

IBM UK Ltd
09.2023 - 04.2024

Simulation Test Lead

IBM UK Ltd
10.2020 - 09.2023

Senior test analyst

IBM UK Ltd
03.2020 - 10.2020

Test analyst

IBM UK Ltd
08.2017 - 03.2020

Bachelor of Science - Mathematics

University of Plymouth
09/2011 - 05/2016
Christopher John