Available to hire
I am Stephen Alexander Buchan, a Test Architect and QA Leader with 30+ years delivering high-quality IT solutions across enterprise, SaaS, and GenAI platforms. I drive test automation, release acceleration, and CI/CD adoption, and I excel at leading cross-functional teams and embedding governance in regulated environments.
I love turning complex quality challenges into scalable, measurable results—building production AI test intelligence platforms, implementing observability into test logs, and continuously improving quality gates. Outside work, I enjoy hands-on experimentation with hardware and AI.
Skills
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Test Lead at Arria NLG
November 1, 2022 - PresentLed a 3-person Agile test team for Arria’s GenAI SaaS product (Studio), reducing release time by over 70%. Validated defects and features across all layers, managed deployments, expanded vulnerability scanning, performed database migrations (MongoDB, DocumentDB), and ran K6 performance tests. Slashed infrastructure costs by 80% by developing parallel test execution, tracking, and reporting solutions with Robot/Pabot, Docker, Linux, Python, Azure, Blob Storage, Wiki, Grafana, and MS Teams. Migrated a 29,000-test Robot Framework suite from Jenkins (AWS) to Azure DevOps and transitioned browser-based execution to Playwright. Built a production AI test intelligence platform with 32,000+ test cases and an evaluation-driven development approach using LangGraph and Langfuse observability.
Senior Test Engineer at Arria NLG
November 1, 2020 - November 1, 2022Led a 3-member team testing Studio defects and new functionality; expanded regression suite to 25,000 tests with 95% coverage, slashing post-release defects. Worked with Robot Framework, Selenium, Jenkins, AWS, Azure DevOps, JMeter, K6, Bitbucket/GIT, REST API, MySQL, MongoDB, Kubernetes, Docker.
Test Engineer at Arria NLG
November 1, 2014 - November 1, 2020Implemented full-stack test automation and CI/CD (Robot Framework, Jenkins, AWS, Git, Docker); reduced recurring defects with full-stack regression (Selenium, Applitools, Sauce Labs); saved 50% infrastructure costs by merging UK and Australian dev/test environments; performed non-functional testing with JMeter and K6. Increased Studio release frequency with improved release process. Tested and released Arria’s Core Technology library, SDK-based Java microservices, and Eclipse IDE plugin; delivered functional, integration, and regression testing and automated workflows.
Quality Assurance Architect at NaviNet Inc.
November 1, 2013 - November 1, 2014Accelerated test automation adoption across 20+ teams UK/US; chaired QA Architectural Review Board, defined tooling and strategy, approved MVFs, and guided teams. Coordinated a team of 5 for full-stack automated testing and technical debt management using BDD and Lean Kaizen. Performed integration testing for NaviNet Open (10+ teams) and implemented CI/CD with TeamCity, Git, Chef, and RunDeck; integrated Robot Framework for real-time feedback and cross-platform/browser testing with Selenium, SauceLabs, and Applitools.
Quality Assurance Engineer at NaviNet Inc.
November 1, 2011 - November 1, 2013Developed Minimal Viable Features (MVFs) using UML modelling, BDD, and Lean Kanban. Verified High-demand healthcare transactions (CSI 270/271, E&B) via SOAP/REST; generated HIPAA-compliant test data. Introduced test automation within a manual-testing culture and mentored junior staff.
ALM Focal Point & Tool-set Architect at Petrotechnics Ltd.
November 1, 2009 - November 1, 2011Owned ALM process and tooling; led a 3-member ALM/Test team; created Agile ALM methodology with ISO-certified QMS. Implemented VMware-based integrated ALM toolset with CI/CD (JIRA, AntHillPro, AccuRev) and Robot Framework, achieving substantial cost savings and rolling out to 50+ teams while coaching Agile practices.
Senior Software Configuration Engineer at Petrotechnics Ltd.
November 1, 2006 - November 1, 2009Led a team of 5 configuration engineers and DBAs delivering Sentinel PRO; reduced delivery effort by 30% via a reusable configuration library; achieved ISO 9002 QMS certification.
Software Configuration Engineer at Petrotechnics Ltd.
November 1, 2003 - November 1, 2006Responsible for SentinelPRO requirements and XML/SQL configuration; achieved 95% first-time pass rate; formalised maintenance and end-to-end traceability using Unified Change Management (UCM).
Freelance Consultant at Aberdeen (Self-Employed)
October 1, 2002 - November 1, 2003Provided technical services including web and application development for small to medium-sized companies.
Systems Engineer & Technical Lead at SAIC UK Ltd.
July 1, 1996 - September 1, 2002Spearheaded the Web and Internet Service team; project management and hosting optimization for oil and gas clients; established a follow-the-sun global support framework; deployed a global eProcurement system reducing operational costs; supported Windows-based apps; cut downtime and improved responsiveness; developed a hydrocarbon accounting/reporting system.
Analyst Developer at Score Europe
January 1, 1994 - July 1, 1996Developed MS Access applications, including a jet turbine nozzle refurbishment system supporting root cause analysis.
Education
BSc in Computing at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
September 1, 1991 - September 1, 1994Qualifications
ISO 9002 Certification for Quality Management System
January 11, 2030 - May 4, 2026Industry Experience
Computers & Electronics, Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other
Skills
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