KIRK KELLEY

(Remote) – FTE

• Joined as the first QA professional in the company; introduced a quality-first culture by aligning cross-functional teams on testing best practices and setting clear standards for release readiness.
• Defined and executed the company’s first end-to-end testing strategy; recruited and scaled the QA team to five members, integrating quality practices across the SDLC.
• Architected a scalable Cypress UI automation framework in JavaScript, boosting front-end test coverage from 0% to 85% in SonarQube and enabling faster, safer deployments.
• Developed a robust API automation suite using Karate and Gherkin syntax, significantly reducing manual regression effort and improving test reliability for backend services.
• Integrated automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline to accelerate feedback loops and improve release confidence across engineering and product teams.
• Provided ongoing mentorship and performance guidance to QA team members, supporting their growth through regular feedback, goal setting, and career development planning.

(Remote) – FTE

• Built a contract-driven API automation framework using Karate, increasing backend test coverage from 0% to 93% and reducing manual regression cycles.
• Championed shift-left practices by partnering with product and design teams to review specifications early, improving test coverage and reducing rework.
• Developed and maintained a scalable Playwright UI automation framework in TypeScript, fully integrated into CI/CD pipelines to support rapid, high-confidence releases.
• Automated end-to-end regression testing workflows, decreasing diagnostic and triage time across multiple teams and improving release velocity.
• Scaled quality ownership by training developers and QA engineers on automation tools and frameworks, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for quality.
• Defined and implemented a traceable test case strategy aligned with audit and compliance needs, producing validated metrics that supported successful external audits.

(Remote) – FTE

• Led a 40% increase in API test coverage by implementing a Karate-based BDD automation framework with Cucumber reporting, integrated into CI pipelines; leveraged Code Climate for coverage visibility and quality gating.
• Enhanced and maintained a Python-based BDD framework for front-end testing of cybersecurity applications, using BrowserStack to ensure broad compatibility across OS and browser versions.
• Mentored new and junior QA team members, helping scale the team’s automation capabilities through hands-on training, pairing sessions, and documentation of best practices.
• Developed structured, maintainable test cases across multiple product lines, aligning with acceptance criteria and enabling traceability from user stories to automated test execution.

(Remote) – FTE

• Managed and evolved the organization’s Selenium WebDriver automation framework in Java, while supporting legacy test coverage in Telerik during transitional periods.
• Led performance testing with JMeter to validate scalability and reliability prior to production releases, in collaboration with engineering and DevOps teams.
• Designed and executed API-level test suites using Postman and REST-Assured, improving backend coverage and catching critical service-level issues earlier.
• Increased automated regression coverage from 52% to 88%, significantly reducing manual testing effort and enabling faster, more confident releases.
• Developed and maintained a centralized test case library in TFS, enhancing traceability, audit readiness, and alignment with business requirements.
• Earned promotion from contractor to full-time employee within three months, based on strong technical execution, initiative, and quality leadership.

(Remote) – Contract

• Architected and implemented a scalable Java-based automation framework using Selenium WebDriver, later adopted as the foundation for ongoing QA efforts across the product.
• Led performance and load testing efforts with JMeter and MS Test, uncovering bottlenecks under peak usage and supporting system readiness for production launch.
• Authored test strategy and documentation to align QA, development, and product teams on coverage expectations and automation design; facilitated onboarding through targeted framework training sessions.

Contractor – Permanent Hire Firm (Remote)
Clients: Panasonic, Jamberry, CSO

• Provided QA leadership and automation consulting to clients nationwide, architecting and implementing scalable test automation frameworks to elevate product quality and delivery speed.
• Developed and executed customized Selenium automation suites and conducted load testing with JMeter, improving test coverage and system performance validation.
• Collaborated closely with client stakeholders and cross-functional teams to align quality goals, manage expectations, and resolve critical integration issues.
• Delivered actionable reports identifying vulnerabilities and integration challenges, recommending improvements that enhanced platform stability and maintainability.
• Facilitated knowledge transfer and mentoring for client QA and development teams to foster sustainable automation practices.

(Remote) – Contractor

• Developed robust Selenium automation suites in C# and Java for web applications, significantly improving regression coverage and reducing manual testing cycles.
• Supported Agile team scaling and delivery by applying SAFe principles and managing full SDLC processes across multiple teams.
• Facilitated Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives; managed sprint data and metrics in Rally to track velocity, identify impediments, and enhance team productivity.

Internship

• Developed automation scripts using AutoIT with C# and Visual Basic to automate complex desktop application tests simulating computer-based exams, improving test accuracy and repeatability.
• Led the initial automation initiative, increasing test coverage from 0% to 30%, resulting in significant reductions in manual testing time and faster release cycles.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design test plans and cases aligned with business and regulatory requirements, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
• Compiled, summarized, and communicated audit findings to stakeholders, supporting compliance efforts and driving continuous quality improvements.

FTE

• Developed automation scripts in TestComplete using C#, C++, and Visual Basic to automate testing of water modeling software, increasing test coverage and reducing manual effort.
• Operated within a 3-week sprint Agile framework with daily Scrum ceremonies, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery.
• Utilized Mantis for defect tracking and sprint task management, enabling efficient resolution and sprint progress transparency.
• Analyzed integration issues and vulnerabilities, delivering actionable reports that informed system stability and security improvements.

FTE

• Advanced from warehouse associate to Software QA by proactively learning warehouse management software and demonstrating strong problem-solving skills.
• Performed thorough manual testing to uncover defects in software functionality and requirement specifications, contributing to higher product quality.
• Collaborated with developers during code reviews to analyze defects and implement coding best practices.
• Developed and implemented standardized testing processes and procedures, achieving a 30% reduction in software defects within [timeframe].
• Conducted training sessions for warehouse staff, increasing their testing proficiency by 50% and fostering a culture of quality assurance.