Praveen Kumar Maroju

With 16 years of comprehensive experience in the banking and retail sectors, I have specialized in data science projects, particularly focusing on the architecture, design, and implementation of various automation frameworks. My expertise extends to developing state-of-the-art, fifth-generation scriptless automation tools powered by intuitive and path-breaking algorithms, all without the need for manual assistance.

Praveen has served as a peer reviewer for leading journals in his field and has published several research papers. He has also been invited as a keynote and conference speaker by numerous universities, where he has motivated students and shared insights on current technology as part of faculty development programs in information technology.

Praveen has been nominated for the prestigious Industry Recognition Award in information technology, a testament to his significant achievements and impact in the field. This nomination highlights his exceptional contributions and critical accomplishments throughout his career.

The Industry Recognition Award is reserved for professionals who have demonstrated outstanding innovation, leadership, and influence in the technology sector. Praveen's nomination reflects his remarkable track record, which includes pioneering research, impactful technological advancements, and noteworthy contributions to industry practices.

Throughout his career, Praveen has consistently excelled in driving forward the boundaries of information technology. His work has not only garnered attention from peers and industry leaders, but has also led to substantial advancements in the field. His research papers have been widely cited, and his innovative solutions have addressed some of the most pressing challenges in technology today.

• QA Lead/Architect, Walmart/Cognizant, Remote, 01/2023 - Present, Requirement understanding: Thoroughly analyzing and understanding project requirements to ensure alignment with business objectives and stakeholder expectations., Test script design: Designing comprehensive and scalable test scripts that cover all aspects of the data science project, including machine learning elements and data transformation processes., Automation strategy: Developing an automation strategy that incorporates best practices for testing machine learning components and utilizing dbt tools effectively., Architecture design: Designing a robust automation architecture that supports the testing of complex machine learning models and data pipelines with efficiency and scalability., Tool selection and implementation: Selecting appropriate tools for automating testing processes related to machine learning elements and dbt tools, and overseeing their successful implementation., Team collaboration: Collaborating with the QA team and other project stakeholders to ensure alignment of automation efforts with project goals and timelines., Performance optimization: Implementing strategies to optimize the performance of automation scripts and tools, ensuring timely execution and accurate test results., Training and mentorship: Providing guidance and training to QA team members on automation best practices, tools, and techniques related to machine learning testing and dbt automation., Quality assurance: Ensuring the quality and reliability of automated test scripts, data validation processes, and overall testing framework through continuous monitoring and improvement efforts.
• Software Developer/ Senior Automation QA Lead, USAA/TCS, San Antonio, TX, 10/2019 - 10/2022, Planning, leadership, and management of end-to-end test execution with a focus on test program progress to ensure that testing deliverables are on target and business, technical, functional requirements are being met., Participating proactively in Agile daily standup meetings, story grooming sessions, team’s retrospectives, demo sessions, suggesting and implementing improvements., Monitor test initiative execution progress for negative impacts to timeline and deliverables., Work with Test Engineers to address risk areas – monitor action plan progress., Lead continuous improvement efforts within delivery teams to increase productivity and streamline the testing process., Design & develop test plans with respect to each iteration based on its nature of testing, test cases and test automation framework to address complex business needs., Responsible for developing the automation scripts to support Jenkins (Continuous Integration) of the scripts with the build server Maven, Gradle, GIT Lab. Execute test cases and reporting defects., Responsible for implementation of Automation in selenium WebDriver using Java based on the design pattern Page Object Model and hybrid frameworks for reusability., Write test cases using element locators, WebDriver methods, Java programming features and TestNG Annotations., Responsible for enhancement of Automation framework in Selenium using Java and other applicable test automation tools as per the requirement., Verify Restful Web Services API testing using SoapUI tool., Prepared technical and procedural documentation required for test automation., Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques, and the ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical (software, application or operational) issues., Mentor and supervise the QA analysts in the team., Fix the issues and develop the Framework to make automation suite work with their applications using Java, Servlets, JSP, JS, Selenium WebDriver and RC.
• Senior Automation QA Lead, PNC Bank/Accenture, Pittsburgh, PA, 05/2018 - 10/2019, Confidential ended stand-up calls on daily basis and had two-week Sprints in Agile Methodology., Responsible for developing the scripts to support Jenkins (Continuous Integration) of the scripts with the build server., Developed Test Scripts to implement Test Cases, Test Scenarios, and features for BDD (Behavior Driven Development), TDD (Test Driven Development) using Cucumber in Gherkins format., Performed automating SOAPUI and RESTful web services using Karate framework., Hands on experience in validating micro services built on BIAN standards., Developed and automated GUI, functional and API layer test using Selenium WebDriver (XPATH, CSS, HTML and JSON)., Implemented automating regression test cases using Selenium WebDriver in Java., Used GitHub to maintain and manage the build scripts, test data used and other documents related to the project., Implemented TestNG unit testing framework for the smoke test and used all Annotations in TestNG effectively., Good hands-on experience on bug tracking tool like Jira., Worked on Maven for build and dependency management where I have added different dependencies such as Apache poi/TestNG/Maven-plugin-api etc. according to the requirement., Onsite- Offshore coordination., Review, analyze, and create detailed impact assessment documentation of releases and new functionality being developed and launched., Designed REST/HTTP, SOAP API’s, including JSON data formats and API versioning strategy., Performed Web-Services and Testing using SAOP UI and generated XML files for messaging., Performed API Testing with SOAPUI, enhanced the test harness and developed many test suites using XML and JSON.
• Project Lead, State Bank of Mauritius/Yethi Consulting, Bangalore, India, 05/2015 - 07/2016, Working with client to conduct PoCs for the product., Preparation of Initial setup at client location for their application to be tested (Flexcube(Oracle), Finacle(Infosys) on different browser versions and types., Fixing the issues and develop the adapter to make product work with their applications using Java, Servlets, JSP, JS, Selenium Webdriver, RC., Demonstrate how the product, works and provide technical advice to customers about installation, usage, and networking., Designed and documented REST APIs, including JSON data formats and API versioning strategy., Validated Restful API services., Strong motivational and leadership skills., Ability to identify, understand and give priority to urgent issues., Ability to handle the situation of conflicts., Giving a presentation to the Junior Staff and make them understand the important aspects of the project., Ensuring that all the resources are available for the project., Work in the Agile Development Environment, attended daily scrum meetings., Managing and leading QA team of 5 -6 members.
• QA Lead, UMB/ACI Worldwide, Pune, India, 12/2014 - 09/2013, Responsible for the Managing & delivering QA deliverables of the Project., Performed tests on various features of Agile development process., Managing QA team of consists of manual QA analysts and Automation team., Responsible for Estimations and setting up complete QA process for the Manual Regression testing., Written Test case into Test Management Tool (Silk Central) with the help of TOD., Worked on transaction with SWIFT codes (MT101, 102, 103 & etc.) and validated batch messaging system., Validated wire transfers and ACH payments (CBR, CCD, CIE, CTX, IAT, PPD , RCK) batch message formats., Good hands-on knowledge working with Automated Clearing House (ACH). Extensively involved in validating ACH message formats., Identified the test cases to be automated and performed smoke and regression test using Selenium., Updating existing scripts using Selenium Web Driver as per the latest changes and for new features added., Used Maven to build and run the Selenium WebDriver automation framework and send the automation reports using TestNG., Verified Restful Web Services API testing using SoapUI frameworks., Used to kick off one click build in Jenkins as required and monitor till completion of the build., Participated in daily touch point meetings to update the daily sprint status., Maintained and updated defect management team process documentation., Lead weekly defect coordinator team meetings., Defined project dashboard in Jira to track defects with respective to each drop, CSMs and Product defects., Assessed, prioritized and reported criticality of defects and issues., Key participant in go/no go decisions., Liaison with both off-shore and on-site testers and developers to investigate issues and facilitate quick resolutions using Salesforce., Determined root cause accuracy and team key learning’s (KLR’s)., All test deliverables hit target & deployment dates successfully., Developed and Executed Manual test cases for Functional testing of various modules of the application.
• Defect Manager, Test Lead, Production Support, Kasikorn Bank/ACI Worldwide (S1 Corporation), Bangkok, Thailand, 01/2009 - 08/2013, Defined Defect life cycle to sync with QC with Jira process., Managed team of 6 defect coordinators, offsite testing teams to establish quality standards as per industry and market requirement., Coordinated support team for investigating defects to resolution for on time completion., Participated test plan reviews with cross-functional teams., Worked with Engineering and Operations teams to set consistent and realistic release guidelines for code delivery into QA and from QA to the live site., Generated program wide defect reports to upper management teams., Maintained and updated defect management team process documentation., Participated in Release management and prepared release notes for every build., Lead weekly defect coordinator team meetings., Single point of contact for defect report calls and resolution., Manage timeliness of defect fix and ensured proper defect closure., Assessed, prioritized and reported criticality of defects and issues., Key participant in go/no go decisions., Defined ambiguities with the Business and Functional requirements., Single PoC for batch execution at client side for ESSP, ET application related batches., Identified the test cases to be automated and performed Smoke and regression test using Selenium., Updating existing scripts using Selenium Web Driver as per the latest changes and for new features added., Worked in production support team and conducted test machines setup on training & production environments. Worked on production incidents and it’s resolution., Verified real interfaces like SAFE, CIS (EAI), TCB (Temenos) messages and worked with the vendors to narrow down issues, Hands on experience in understand, analyse ep, host requests and responses of each interface type., Performed Integration, System, Functional, GUI, Regression, End to End and Production., Involved in end-to-end passbook printer testing for ET application and supported in resolving setup issues in Training and production issues related to printer., Tracked outstanding defect reports and documented resolution after successful testing., Coordinated: The test data creation, all JCL, file merge, mock testing and dress rehearsals, Batch validations, defect entry and resolution., Verified Web Services API testing using SoapUI frameworks.
• QA, C. Hoare & Co, UK/S1 Corporation, Pune, India, 04/2007 - 12/2008, Extensively involved in all aspects of Software Development Life Cycle: Development of Test Plans and Test Cases, Unit, Integration, System., Defined ambiguities with the Business and Functional requirements., Verified Traceability of Test conditions to test cases., Loaded test data using IBM MQ and verified Standing Order & Direct Debit calls message que., Performed Integration, System, Functional, GUI, Regression testing., Extensively used Quest Central V4.8 for database testing., Involved in Security module of the application by creating users, assigning roles and function, assigning/ resetting of passwords for the application., Tracked defects in JIRA and worked proactively with Developers to resolve any issues that inhibited testing., Tracked outstanding defect reports and documented resolution after successful testing.
• QA, Misys, UK/ACI Worldwide, Pune, India, 10/2006 - 03/2007, Reviewed Functional and Design Specification documents. Identified Test Conditions, Ambiguities, Conflicts and Risks., Involved in team meetings with offshore team, and coordinate to solve the issues in the deliverables., Extensively involved in Backend Testing, used Misys Equation (developed on As400) for data validations., Finding the GAPS between the two products., Performed Regression Testing, Positive and Negative Testing and End-to-End testing., Extensively used Quality Center V 8.2 for managing requirements and test scripts., Logged defects in Quality Center v8.2 and worked proactively with Analysts and Developers to resolve any issues that inhibited testing., Closely worked with developers, Data Base Administrators and Business Analysts to fix the bugs.

• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Core Infrastructure - Microsoft.
• ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) - International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).