VIMAL SURESH
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE,UNITED KINGDOM
Summary
Highly skilled software testing professional with extensive expertise in manual and automated testing methodologies, including test plans, scheduling, and execution. Proficient in leveraging tools such as Selenium WebDriver, Playwright, and Cucumber for BDD frameworks, alongside advanced programming knowledge in Java, JavaScript, Scala, and Python. Demonstrates strong capabilities in cloud-based testing on AWS and Microsoft Azure platforms, as well as continuous integration using Jenkins, TFS, and CircleCI. Experienced in performance testing with JMeter and Gatling, penetration testing using OWASP ZAP, and accessibility automation with AXE libraries. Adept at cross-browser testing via Sauce Labs and BrowserStack while ensuring compliance with accessibility standards through tools like NVDA and JAWS. Skilled in database validation using SQL and monitoring tools such as Kibana and Splunk to ensure optimal system performance. Committed to delivering high-quality software solutions by employing agile best practices within Scrum environments while mentoring teams through training and onboarding initiatives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work history
QA Test Lead
Ministry of Justice
London
05.2024 - Current
- Led testing efforts across internal platforms, including multiple internal api's and web applications, ensuring end-to-end quality across backend and frontend services.
- Directed the design and implementation of automated test suites using Playwright, JUnit, Cucumber, and JMeter, covering API, UI, integration, and regression testing.
- Oversaw CI/CD pipeline integration with CircleCI, managing Docker builds, ECR deployments, Helm releases, and Kubernetes-based automated test execution.
- Led the transition from git-crypt to AWS Secrets Manager for secure secrets management, reducing manual handling and improving compliance.
- Planned and executed performance and load testing for high-volume user journeys, successfully simulating over 300 concurrent users and analysing performance metrics to inform improvements.
- Designed scalable frameworks for testing complex authentication flows, XML-based file upload APIs, and role-based access logic across multiple services.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams (DevOps, developers, product owners) to drive test strategy, defect triage, and release readiness for digital justice services.
- Directed debugging, incident analysis, and test environment issue resolution for both web and API-based applications.
- Produced test plans, scenarios, and visual documentation for system architecture and integration workflows using tools like Miro and Lucidchart.
- Established reusable test hooks, environment-specific configurations, and credential management strategies to reduce duplication across automated suites.
- Enabled parallel and scalable execution of automated tests, incorporating throttling, assertions, and CSV-based tracking for outcomes and performance metrics.
- Championed adherence to governance, security, and compliance standards within public sector technology delivery.
- Mentored team members on automation practices, API testing, CI/CD integration, and performance test strategy.
Senior Test Engineer
Ministry of Justice
London
05.2022 - 05.2024
- Maintained high-quality standards by reviewing test environments and processes to facilitate continuous improvement.
- Heavily contributed to the ground-up implementation of Gherkin-based test automation frameworks into CI/CD pipelines.
- Created training programs guaranteed to achieve key organisational objectives.
- Part of the team overseeing automation across MOJ-LAA.
- Used the 4 C's strategy in Team engagements to understand team needs and provide targeted solutions
- Generated new leads through online research and POCs to enable the Automation of legacy applications
- Developed an automation framework from scratch using Robot Framework, AutoIT, Sikuli, and Selenium to automate the Oracle EBS application
- Involved in database testing tool framework implementation using the Dbfit-Fitnesse tool.
- Use of AWS Lambda to trigger secure DB tests in code pipelines.
- Coaching manual testers on automation strategy and test strategy.
Test Automation Engineer
Accenture/HMRC
Newcastle Upon Tyne
10.2017 - 05.2022
- Leading testing activities of the live services Team in HMRC DDCN, overseeing maintenance and improvement of 10 services
- On average, each of these services has 5 microservices, supporting these individual client services, effectively dealing with 50 microservices
- Completely working on Agile methodology in all stages of development
- Testing and implementing security patches, library upgrades, and performance improvements
- Testing API changes for security and performance
- Contract testing APIs with Play WS Client, Postman
- Designed and developed Automation testing frameworks from scratch using the Scala-Cucumber-Selenium POM model
- Automated Cross browser testing using browser stack libraries, accessibility automation testing using AXE, VNU libraries
- Manual tests for accessibility using tools like NVDA, JAWS, WAVE, and Dragon
- Automated performance and security tests using the Gatling library and the ZAP library
- Used Docker to perform remote browser testing in local machines
- Used GitHub and Jenkins for CI/CD, deploy patches to environments for Integration tests
- Used Optimizely for deploying iterative UR model versions of the service to understand user behaviour
- Take responsibility for deployments and monitoring of services to production, using tools like Kibana, Graffana, Splunk, PagerDuty, and Sensu
- Used Google Analytics for service performance analysis.
Software Tester
Hicom Technologies Ltd
Brookwood
03.2017 - 09.2017
- Introduced Automation into the company to test NHS recruitment
- Designed and developed an automation framework for Smoke Suite using Java, Junit, and Cucumber
- Liaised with clients from the NHS to gather requirements and maintain high standards in business processes
- Implemented SoapUI-based API tests to test web services used by the platform
- Used iMacros with SQL Server Profiler to optimise stored procedure calls from UI
- Used JMeter to test the performance of the stored procedure.
- Worked on the complex recruitment platform of the NHS
- Performed Manual tests were necessary to understand the system better
- Coordinated with systems partners to finalise designs and confirm requirements.
Senior Automation Tester
Capita Transformation Ltd
Southampton
04.2016 - 02.2017
- Developed Automation Scripts using JavaScript and Selenium WebDriver
- Executing the Integration health check automation tests before the build deployment, and running the post-Integration suite on the Integration Machines
- Working extensively on forms designed in Firmstep and performing Database Testing to check backend impact
- Designed page object model Automation framework for End-
- End Testing using NodeJS, Selenium and CucumberJS
- Designed automation framework using Mocha and Jasmine
- Used Chai as a BDD/TDD assertion library paired with Mocha for framework design
- Investigated the use of Cucumber-Mink as part of the BDD framework design
- Coordinated with systems partners to finalise designs and confirm requirements
- Provided continued maintenance and development of bug fixes and patch sets for existing web applications.
Automation Tester
Jaguar Land Rover
Coventry
12.2015 - 03.2016
- Designed Python programming modules for a TTR kinematic model robot
- Connected the capacitive touch screen to the triple motor system, containing translation and rotation arms
- Developed JAVA code to video record the whole testing process
- Tested the prototype for bugs related to coordination and precision
- Tested the navigation screen of HLDF for its Normal and Start-up modes according to the DVM (Design Validation Method)
- Created web-based reports for automation projects using HTML
- Designed a strategic plan for component development practices to support future projects
- Proposed technical feasibility solutions for new functional designs and suggested options for performance improvement of technical objects.
Senior QA Analyst
HCL/Co-Op Foods
Manchester
11.2014 - 11.2015
- Worked in Agile methodology for a 2-week sprint cycle and on a day-to-day basis
- Adding up test cases (Java-based) to the existing framework and running them in the Continuous integration server (Jenkins)
- Functional Testing on APIs Common to the Web and Mobile Teams
- Expertise in using Cucumber (Gherkin tool)-based frameworks
- Performed Load Testing on RESTful APIs using JMeter for around 1500 users
- Simulated Soak Test for 3 days on RESTful APIs using JMeter in a cloud environment
- Also, used cloud services to stimulate users from around the world
- Performed proxy server testing using JMeter
- Run regression tests against Cloud (AWS) through Jenkins
- Experience in using the Apache HTTP Rest client for automation
- Performed Security Testing using WebInspect on the RESTful APIs.
- Strong Experience in Database Testing (PostgreSQL)
- Involved in Smoke, Functional, Regression, Smoke, Integration,
- System Testing and supported UAT Testing by providing/setting up the test data
- Experience in creating Jenkins jobs for testing suites to run in
- Continuous Integration with the developer's build
- Version controlling using Git and publishing Git Repositories on GitHub
- Liaised with different teams for End-to-End Testing
- Demoed testing effort to stakeholders, Project Managers,
- Scrum masters and Development Teams in the Showcase Meetings
- Setting up the automation frameworks and designing the scripts from Scratch
- Produce Test reports in Cucumber format for both successful and failed test cases
- Coordinated with systems partners to finalise designs and confirm requirements
- Consistently met deadlines and requirements for all production work orders
- Advocated for end-users to perform testing and problem analysis for server, desktop, and IT infrastructure work.
Senior Automation Engineer
Network
London
08.2013 - 10.2014
- Participate in the Game/Sprint planning meeting to provide testing estimate for each user story and define ownership
- Test planning, Testing Efforts Estimation, feature discussion & feature estimation during sprint planning and story hurdle
- Defect tracking and management using JIRA
- Performing various types of testing, such as functional testing, re-testing & regression, smoke, sanity, exploratory, usability, risk-based testing, database testing, browser compatibility testing (cross-browser testing)
- Arranging a software demo with BA and within the organisation
- Participating in the end-of-sprint meeting to discuss the last sprint retrospective
- Tested both Mobile Web and Native applications
- Field testing on cross devices and Wild testing on multiple devices
- Worked on CMS (Content Management System) application
- Tested Mobile Operating systems - iOS (5, 6, 7), Android (Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich, Honeycomb)
- Tested Mobile Devices - iPhone, iPad, Samsung Phone, Samsung tablet, HTC
- Implemented cross-platform & cross-browser testing
- Involved in Smoke, Functional, Regression, Smoke, Integration,
- System Testing and supported UAT Testing by providing/setting up the test data
- Involved in Acceptance Testing
- Coordinate with product owners, business teams, and the development team on various requirements & ongoing testing activities.
QA Analyst
Northeast London NHS Foundation
London
12.2011 - 06.2013
- Developed Automation Scripts using Java and Selenium WebDriver
- Worked as part of the Integration Team and was responsible for maintaining and deploying the builds to the integration server
- Executing the integration health check automation tests before the build deployment and running the post-integration suite on the integration machines.
- Responsible for the Integration sign-off for stories before the stories are deployed to UAT for Business walkthrough
- Created test data for automation execution with the help of functional testers
- Involved in the creation of an automation framework using Selenium and TestNG, supporting agile testers in the creation of test scripts
- Reviewed the selenium scripts developed by the team members
- Configured Jenkins to automate our build process and to schedule an Overnight automation run
- Performed back-end testing using SQL queries
- Created a Page Object Test automation framework using
- Selenium WebDriver with Java and TestNG, developed test automation Scripts using Selenium with Java
- Developed Manual Test cases for different modules of the application
- Responsible in executing manual test cases for web regression
- Responsible in testing web services using Java Rest assured, client.
- Expertise in Sanity Testing, Functional Testing and Regression
- Testing and Handling Support Issues.
Junior Test Analyst
Tata Consultancy Limited, India
Manchester
06.2007 - 09.2009
- Test cases design and execution, and defect reporting
- Performed Functional Testing, user interface testing, and regression tests
- Manual Testing, Automating the Test Scripts
- Executed test scripts and reported defects in terms of Major,
- Minor & Critical in the Test Director
- Effective coordination with the development team
- Designed and Executed Manual Test scripts for various Sprints
- Used Excel as a defect management tool for opening and closing the defects
- Involved in system integration (with the other and 3rd party applications by connecting), UAT, pre-prod testing,
- Post-Implementation Verification
- Involved in Smoke, Functional, Regression, Integration, System
- Testing and supporting UAT testing by providing/setting up the data in the Oracle database.
Education
Master of Science - Microelectronics System Design
University of Southampton
Southampton, United KingdomBachelor of Science - Electronics and Communication
Anna University
Chennai, IndiaSkills
- Test Plans, Test Methodologies, and Test Scheduling
- Organised and Detail-Oriented, Manual Testing
- Programming Languages: Java, JavaScript, Scala, Python
- Automated Testing Frameworks, POM, Page Factory, hybrid
- Playwright, Selenium Web Driver and Selenium Grid
- BDD (Gherkin) using Cucumber, CucumberJS
- IOS and Android Testing
- Web Services (REST) testing using SoapUI, Runscope, and Postman
- Continuous-Integration Testing-Jenkins, TFS, CircleCI
- Scrum Methodology, Agile Best Practices
- Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure-based Cloud testing
- Version Control Systems: Git/GitLab
- Penetration Testing- DAST OWASP ZAP
- Performance Testing- JMeter, Gatling
- Software Development tools: JIRA, Confluence
- Sauce-labs and BrowserStack for cross-browser Testing
- Accessibility Automation Using AXE, VNU libraries
- Accessibility tools- NVDA, JAWS, WAVE, and Dragon
- Monitoring Tools -Kibanna, Graffana, Splunk, PagerDuty, Sensu
- Google Analytics, Optimizely, SQL & Database Validation
- Training, Coaching, and Onboarding
- Docker, Kubernetes, Helm
- AWS (Lambda, ECR, Secrets Manager), Azure
- Authentication, Role-Based Access & Integration Testing
- Root Cause Analysis, Defect Tracking and Reporting
- Robot-Framework, AutoIT, Sikuli, Dbfit-Fitnesse
Timeline
QA Test Lead
Ministry of Justice
05.2024 - Current
Senior Test Engineer
Ministry of Justice
05.2022 - 05.2024
Test Automation Engineer
Accenture/HMRC
10.2017 - 05.2022
Software Tester
Hicom Technologies Ltd
03.2017 - 09.2017
Senior Automation Tester
Capita Transformation Ltd
04.2016 - 02.2017
Automation Tester
Jaguar Land Rover
12.2015 - 03.2016
Senior QA Analyst
HCL/Co-Op Foods
11.2014 - 11.2015
Senior Automation Engineer
Network
08.2013 - 10.2014
QA Analyst
Northeast London NHS Foundation
12.2011 - 06.2013
Junior Test Analyst
Tata Consultancy Limited, India
06.2007 - 09.2009
Bachelor of Science - Electronics and Communication
Anna University
Master of Science - Microelectronics System Design
University of Southampton