SAMEUL DESTA
Silver Spring
Summary
Detail-oriented Test Engineer specializing in software quality enhancement through rigorous testing methodologies. Experienced in identifying and resolving issues to ensure optimal application performance and reliability. Strong collaborator, capable of adapting to evolving project needs. Proficient in automated testing, bug tracking, and test case development, contributing to successful project outcomes and user satisfaction.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Performance Test Engineer
Guide house
Lanham, MD
03.2026 - Current
- Collaborated with development, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to optimize application performance and scalability.
- Identified application bottlenecks by analyzing application, database, and infrastructure metrics.
- Conducted performance baseline analysis and workload modeling for critical business applications.
- Automated performance testing workflows and reporting processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Delivered performance analysis reports with tuning recommendations and risk assessments to guide application enhancements.
- Developed and executed comprehensive test plans to ensure software quality and functionality.
- Automated testing processes using industry-standard tools to enhance testing accuracy and reduce manual effort.
- Implemented continuous integration practices to streamline testing cycles and facilitate smoother deployment processes.
- Mentored junior testers, fostering skill development and promoting best practices in software testing methodologies.
- Analyzed user requirements to create detailed test cases that align with project goals and specifications.
- Led cross-functional meetings to communicate testing progress, risks, and insights, enabling informed decision-making across teams.
Performance Engineer
Cognizant
Dallas, TX
10.2025 - 03.2026
- Developed and executed comprehensive test plans to ensure software quality and functionality.
- Supported continuous integration efforts by automating build verification tests for seamless code releases.
- Automated regression tests using industry-standard tools, enhancing efficiency and reliability of testing processes.
- Developed automated test scripts, enhancing testing efficiency and reducing manual effort by 30%.
- Analyzed test results to identify defects and recommend corrective actions for continuous improvement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to define testing requirements and deliverables for projects.
- Tailored testing procedures to obtain data most relevant to understanding underlying causes of production limitations.
- Evaluated data sets from multiple test implementations to determine and account for standard variance in test results.
- Enhanced product quality with thorough root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions.
- Delivered timely project completions through proactive test planning, scheduling, and resource allocation strategies.
Performance Engineer
Tek-Connexion | Client: PNC Financial Services
08.2022 - 09.2025
- Analyzed test results and provided detailed reports on software performance metrics.
- Developed automated test scripts using industry-standard tools to enhance testing efficiency.
- Improved testing efficiency with the development of automated test scripts using various programming languages.
- Optimized regression testing efforts through continuous improvement of test cases and methodologies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve defects in software applications.
- Contributed to cross-functional teams, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products.
- Reduced product defects by performing thorough root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- Supported customer issue resolution by replicating reported problems in a controlled environment for further investigation.
- Mentored junior engineers in best practices for test design and execution methodologies.
- Reviewed, evaluated, and identified requirements for testability.
Performance Engineer / Senior Application Developer
Blackstone Technology Group
Alexandria, VA
03.2019 - 07.2022
- Developed customized testing frameworks for enhanced performance and reduced debugging time.
- Championed test-driven development practices within the engineering team, fostering a more efficient and quality-focused software development lifecycle.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced testing cycle times while maintaining high quality standards.
- Designed reusable test cases that adapt quickly to changing requirements without compromising coverage or quality.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex software issues efficiently.
- Increased collaboration among testers, developers, and product owners through regular review meetings on progress updates and mutual feedback sessions.
- Partnered with developers to define acceptance criteria for user stories, ensuring alignment between business requirements and technical solutions.
Performance Lead
Vidoori | Census 2020
Silver Spring, MD
06.2017 - 03.2019
- Conducted Quality of Experience (QoE) analysis, enhancing system responsiveness and reliability.
- Analyzed complex performance issues, identifying root causes to inform targeted solutions.
- Developed analytical models to assess application performance impacts during system changes.
- Configured and maintained AppDynamics monitoring solutions for enterprise applications.
- Provided deep visibility into application performance metrics and infrastructure utilization.
- Collaborated with development and infrastructure teams to implement optimizations that improved application performance.
- Supported operational improvement initiatives focused on application stability and client satisfaction.
Performance Tester
Ferguson Enterprises
Newport News, VA
10.2013 - 03.2017
- Executed automated and manual performance testing for enterprise web applications, ensuring optimal performance and user experience.
- Developed and executed performance test plans to ensure system reliability and scalability.
- Executed performance test cycles and communicated findings to project stakeholders and leadership, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Utilized AppDynamics for performance monitoring and troubleshooting during test execution cycles.
- Analyzed test results to identify bottlenecks and recommend enhancements for improved application performance.
- Analyzed application bottlenecks and infrastructure constraints, providing actionable insights to enhance system performance.
- Collaborated with development teams to resolve performance issues and improve application reliability.
- Recreated production incidents in QA environments and delivered detailed root cause analysis reports.
- Identified, reported, and tracked defects using bug tracking tools to ensure product quality.
Performance Tester
Chamber IT Inc | Client: Wells Fargo
07.2011 - 10.2013
- Defined performance testing objectives, workload models, and success criteria based on business requirements.
- Built and maintained enterprise performance testing environments with LoadRunner to ensure reliable test execution.
- Installed, configured, and supported LoadRunner testing infrastructure and components.
- Executed performance, load, and volume testing to validate system scalability and identify potential bottlenecks under varying workloads.
- Collaborated with infrastructure and development teams to enhance application stability and performance through shared insights and testing results.
- Conducted SOAP UI testing for enterprise web services and APIs.
- Supported AWS cloud migration initiatives and cloud platform administration activities.
Performance Tester
Chamber IT Inc | Client: JPMorgan Chase
03.2009 - 07.2011
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing test results and recommending process enhancements.
- Evaluated data sets from multiple test implementations to determine and account for standard variance in test results.
- Tailored testing procedures to obtain data most relevant to understanding underlying causes of production limitations.
- Eliminated ineffective product line materials to resolve performance challenges and mitigate corrosion.
- Incorporated solutions that met various project challenges and adhered to environmental, packaging and vibration requirements.
- Specified system components and directed product modifications to comply with engineering design and performance specifications.
- Surveyed potential project sites before design, checking for space restrictions, mechanical feasibility and manufacturers' guidelines.
- Examined existing documents and blueprints to best update and maintain project records.
- Designed budgets and cost estimates for projects with speed and accuracy while working closely with clients, drafters and employees to determine best courses of action.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD05-2012
Skills
- User acceptance testing
- Functional testing
- Integration testing
- Regression testing
- Test case design
- Test case development
- Test execution
- Manual testing
- Test documentation
- Bug reporting
- Attention to detail
- Team collaboration
Websites
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Public Trust Clearance
- Experience supporting Banking, Healthcare, Retail, and Government clients
- Strong experience working in Agile and DevOps environments
Timeline
Performance Test Engineer
Guide house
03.2026 - Current
Performance Engineer
Cognizant
10.2025 - 03.2026
Performance Engineer
Tek-Connexion | Client: PNC Financial Services
08.2022 - 09.2025
Performance Engineer / Senior Application Developer
Blackstone Technology Group
03.2019 - 07.2022
Performance Lead
Vidoori | Census 2020
06.2017 - 03.2019
Performance Tester
Ferguson Enterprises
10.2013 - 03.2017
Performance Tester
Chamber IT Inc | Client: Wells Fargo
07.2011 - 10.2013
Performance Tester
Chamber IT Inc | Client: JPMorgan Chase
03.2009 - 07.2011
Bachelor of Science -
University of Maryland Eastern Shore