Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Availability
Location Preference
Work Authorization
Work Preference
Timeline
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Open To Work

Balaji Sampath

Indian Head Park

Summary

Senior SDET and Quality Engineering Leader with extensive experience in automation framework design, CI/CD integration, and Quality Engineering for large-scale systems. Led successful migrations, improving testing efficiency and stakeholder engagement, while managing onshore/offshore teams to deliver high-quality releases in Agile environments.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

QE Test Automation Manager

Wipro / TJX
Marlboro
03.2025 - Current
  • Spearheaded automation migration from Oracle HRMS to Workday: updated Cucumber BDD framework, created new step definitions, refactored Page Object Model classes, and integrated Rest Assured for SailPoint API validation.
  • Led 12-member Quality Engineering team for SailPoint identity platform, enhancing testing efficiency, coverage, and data integrity during HRMS-to-Workday migration.
  • Conduct sprint planning, create QA-eligible stories in Jira, and maintain all planning artifacts in Confluence to ensure transparent kickoffs and alignment with business requirements.
  • Schedule and facilitate requirement-gathering sessions with developers and test engineers to clarify scope and eliminate ambiguity before story commitment.
  • Assign tasks in Jira and use status tracking (Not Started, Blocked, In Progress) in daily standups to proactively resolve impediments and publish leadership progress reports.
  • Executed ETL testing using Power Query for table migrations; developed reconciliation scripts for source-to-target record counts and key field mappings to ensure data completeness.
  • Domain: Identity & Access Management (SailPoint Application)

QE Test Automation Manager

Wipro / JetBlue
Memphis
07.2024 - 02.2025
  • Led automation transformation of 1,000+ legacy manual test cases within a strict 4-month window to support production readiness for JetBlue’s flight services platform.
  • Identified and automated high-value, low-effort scenarios in initial sprints to deliver early wins and demonstrate automation ROI to stakeholders.
  • Designed modular, reusable AVO framework components; scaled development across senior and junior engineers while enforcing peer reviews and final merge approval as gatekeeper.
  • Managed dual-vendor model (Wipro + AVO provider), coordinating with JetBlue’s Director of Engineering, Technical Manager, Architects, and Scrum Master to resolve risks and ensure project alignment.
  • Redocumented ambiguous test cases into clear, reusable automated steps, partnering with SMEs to address test data challenges and enhance delivery efficiency.
  • Established KPI-driven reporting through daily standups (velocity & blockers), weekly dashboards (throughput & reusability), and monthly business reviews (ROI, regression readiness, defect containment) to inform stakeholders.
  • Domain: Airline Flight Services Platform

QA Portfolio Lead

Wipro / First National Bank
Memphis
08.2023 - 07.2024
  • Directed end-to-end Quality Engineering across the full banking portfolio, overseeing functional, regression, automation, performance, and security testing streams for both web and native mobile applications (iOS & Android).
  • Owned and hands-on managed a secure physical mobile device lab housing a diverse range of devices (multiple Android versions + iOS versions on various iPhone models) to support comprehensive compatibility, feature, and regression testing.
  • Conducted hands-on mobile testing including fail-over scenario validation (network interruptions, app background/foreground transitions, session persistence, crash recovery), device-specific behavior checks, and cross-device consistency testing.
  • Established secure remote access for offshore teams, enabling real-time device sharing and remote control.
  • Defined release-specific test plans incorporating mobile-specific risks and coverage; secured formal approvals from engineering, product, and operations stakeholders.
  • Coordinated resource capacity planning across automation, performance, and security teams to align with sprint and release commitments.
  • Orchestrated daily execution cadences and weekly onshore-offshore sync meetings; published real-time Jira-based dashboards for tracking test progress, coverage metrics, and defect density by component.
  • Partnered closely with microservices development teams, leveraging D3 for real-time monitoring and SQL-based backend validations to ensure seamless cross-platform and cross-component integration coverage (web ↔ mobile ↔ services).
  • Domain: Banking (Web & Mobile Applications)

QE Test Manager

Wipro / TTX
Chicago
09.2022 - 08.2023
  • Led full-scale QA transformation program encompassing test automation, test data management, and environment governance for enterprise-wide quality improvements.
  • Established TOSCA automation framework with reusable component libraries, streamlining script development and maintenance processes.
  • Implemented Delphix for automated, secure, masked test data provisioning across all environments.
  • Introduced formal code review and approval workflows, enhancing quality control for automation artifacts integrated into central repository.
  • Owned end-to-end QA planning: resource forecasting, capacity planning, daily governance, and weekly stakeholder reviews with KPI metrics.
  • Modified and negotiated Statements of Work (SoW) to align project deliverables with changing customer requirements and timelines.
  • Domain: QA Transformation / Test Center of Excellence (TCoE)

SDET – Sr. QE Test Engineer

Wipro / Mastercard
Chicago
08.2020 - 09.2022
  • Re-designed unified automation framework integrating UI, API (Rest Assured), and database layers with reusable functions, eliminating duplication across Mastercard loyalty platform.
  • Integrated framework into Jenkins CI/CD pipelines for nightly regression and per-build automated runs.
  • Authored human-readable JBehave BDD scenarios enabling Product Owners and Business Analysts to effectively review and validate test coverage.
  • Established Bitbucket pull-request process with mandatory peer reviews, static analysis, and Jenkins validation before any merge.
  • Coordinated onsite-offshore delivery while mentoring on BDD principles and ensuring script consistency through reviews.
  • Conducted root-cause analysis of defects utilizing Splunk logs, SQL queries, and MQ monitoring to enhance release cycle effectiveness.
  • Domain: Banking & Loyalty Rewards

QE Test Manager – SAP ERP Program

Wipro / PepsiCo
Chicago
06.2019 - 08.2020
  • Spearheaded test management for multi-module SAP ERP rollout across distributed Agile teams.
  • Created unified test strategy for all testing tracks, securing stakeholder sign-off on defined scope and milestones.
  • Established bidirectional synchronization between ALM and Azure DevOps, enhancing traceability and enabling centralized reporting.
  • Led defect triage calls and managed compliance audit closure by validating test cases and defect resolutions.
  • Introduced custom KPIs (execution velocity, defect density, coverage gaps), presenting actionable QA improvements to senior leadership.
  • Developed automated daily/weekly reporting scripts for real-time visibility to leadership and client stakeholders.
  • Domain: SAP ERP Implementation

Automation Manager

Wipro / US Foods
Rosemont
11.2018 - 06.2020
  • Led seamless transition of QA and automation ownership from third-party vendor to Wipro with zero delivery disruption.
  • Enhanced existing Selenium framework to support headless, remote, and parallel execution, cutting regression cycle time significantly.
  • Managed QA/Automation user stories each sprint, coordinating with DevOps to ensure environment stability during critical test windows.
  • Developed Pre-Automation Execution Suite to generate dynamic test data, enhancing efficiency for downstream regression runs.
  • Built custom API automation suite using ReadyAPI and Postman for rebate services and third-party integrations.
  • Facilitated sprint-end demo sessions to showcase automated executions and validate defect resolution.
  • Domain: eCommerce & Rebate Application for Distributors

QE Lead / Automation Consultant

Wipro / Charles Schwab
Chicago
08.2016 - 11.2018
  • Led QE and automation for trading platform and mutual fund systems, utilizing SOA Test and JMeter for effective service validation.
  • Developed functional and performance test strategies, coordinated vendor resources, and generated QA reports with defect metrics to ensure alignment with acceptance criteria.
  • Evaluated six different automation tools for FIX protocol simulation and recommended the production-grade solution.
  • Defined sprint automation goals, configured environment setups (WSDL/MQ), and executed batch service restart jobs.
  • Reproduced production defects in QE lab and performed data validations using Aerospike and Splunk.
  • Domain: Trading & Mutual Fund Systems

Release Manager / Automation Lead

Wipro / Kohls
Menomonee Falls
11.2014 - 08.2016
  • Directed automation and release management for Kohls eCommerce platform, ensuring seamless delivery of high-quality software.
  • Coordinated deployment, change control, and pre-UAT planning for multiple releases, enhancing collaboration and reducing downtime.
  • Implemented parallel test execution and automated orphaned order validation logic.
  • Integrated JMeter performance scripts into Jenkins CI/CD pipeline.
  • Developed test strategies for functional and performance testing of e-commerce flows, producing QA reports with actionable defect metrics.
  • Domain: eCommerce Solutions

Automation Lead

Wipro / General Motors
Detroit
03.2013 - 11.2014
  • Automated API payload validations and batch execution jobs, improving accuracy and consistency in testing processes.
  • Developed keyword-driven and data-driven QTP frameworks, enhancing testing efficiency for GM automotive systems.
  • Conducted root-cause analysis and maintained regression suite across sprint cycles.
  • Delivered detailed QA reports outlining defects and collaborated on acceptance criteria to ensure quality standards.
  • Domain: Automotive Applications

Automation Lead

Wipro / Mobily
Bengaluru
01.2012 - 03.2013
  • Developed automation framework for synchronization testing between UNIX terminal and web interfaces to ensure seamless integration.
  • Validated data transformations across multiple interfaces and back-end log files to enhance data accuracy and reliability.
  • Generated defect reports and coordinated testing efforts with project timelines to support timely project delivery.
  • Domain: Telecom (UNIX Terminal & Web Application)

Automation Lead

Wipro / Cisco
Bengaluru
08.2009 - 12.2011
  • Automated encryption/decryption scenarios and dynamic message flow testing to ensure robust data security.
  • Developed QTP-based service validation framework utilizing COM and SOAP object models to enhance testing capabilities.
  • Generated QA reports and managed defect tracking for web services to improve overall product quality.
  • Domain: Networking & Web Services

Automation Lead

Wipro / Telecom Client
Bengaluru
09.2007 - 07.2009
  • Led migration from manual to browser-based automation, enhancing testing efficiency with QC and QTP.
  • Defined scripting standards and reporting metrics, establishing a framework for successful automation PoC.
  • Domain: Telecom Web Applications

Automation Engineer & Lead

IBM / AT&T
Bengaluru
01.2006 - 09.2007
  • Validated SOAP services, enhancing automated functional test coverage.
  • Developed hybrid automation framework, streamlining test result communication.
  • Worked in telecom web services domain.

Software Tester

Intelligroup / McAfee
Bengaluru
11.2004 - 01.2006
  • Executed full test cycles and tracked defects to ensure quality of McAfee Siebel CRM implementation.
  • Documented UAT scenarios and ensured comprehensive regression test coverage.
  • Domain: Siebel CRM

Systems Engineer

Polaris Software Labs / Citibank
Chennai
12.2000 - 11.2004
  • Executed manual testing and documented results for Citibank core banking applications to ensure functionality and compliance.
  • Tracked defects and aligned requirements with stakeholders to support project objectives.
  • Domain: Banking Applications (Mainframe & Desktop)

Education

MBA - Operations & Research

IGNOU
India

BA - English Literature

The New College
India

GNIIT - Computer Applications

NIIT
India

Skills

  • Automation frameworks: Java, Selenium, TestNG, Cucumber, POM, BDD with JBehave
  • API testing: REST Assured, Postman, JMeter
  • CI/CD tools: Jenkins, Git, Bitbucket, Bamboo, Azure DevOps
  • Database management: SQL, Oracle, relational databases, Power Query, ETL validation
  • Architectural tools: Microservices, full-stack development, third-party integrations, Splunk, MQ, D3 visualization, Delphix, Tosca
  • Methodologies: Agile (Scrum/Kanban), SDLC practices, waterfall to Agile transitions
  • Leadership skills: Test strategy planning, team leadership (onshore/offshore), stakeholder collaboration, mentoring
  • Performance testing

Availability

Immediate or within notice period

Location Preference

Based in Illinois; Open to hybrid/on-site roles in Chicago area

Work Authorization

Valid – No sponsorship required

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Salary Range

$45000/yr - $200000/yr

Timeline

QE Test Automation Manager

Wipro / TJX
03.2025 - Current

QE Test Automation Manager

Wipro / JetBlue
07.2024 - 02.2025

QA Portfolio Lead

Wipro / First National Bank
08.2023 - 07.2024

QE Test Manager

Wipro / TTX
09.2022 - 08.2023

SDET – Sr. QE Test Engineer

Wipro / Mastercard
08.2020 - 09.2022

QE Test Manager – SAP ERP Program

Wipro / PepsiCo
06.2019 - 08.2020

Automation Manager

Wipro / US Foods
11.2018 - 06.2020

QE Lead / Automation Consultant

Wipro / Charles Schwab
08.2016 - 11.2018

Release Manager / Automation Lead

Wipro / Kohls
11.2014 - 08.2016

Automation Lead

Wipro / General Motors
03.2013 - 11.2014

Automation Lead

Wipro / Mobily
01.2012 - 03.2013

Automation Lead

Wipro / Cisco
08.2009 - 12.2011

Automation Lead

Wipro / Telecom Client
09.2007 - 07.2009

Automation Engineer & Lead

IBM / AT&T
01.2006 - 09.2007

Software Tester

Intelligroup / McAfee
11.2004 - 01.2006

Systems Engineer

Polaris Software Labs / Citibank
12.2000 - 11.2004

MBA - Operations & Research

IGNOU

BA - English Literature

The New College

GNIIT - Computer Applications

NIIT
Balaji Sampath