I am a senior software test analyst with 27 years in the Software Development Life Cycle, including 5 years in mainframe COBOL and 22 years in manual testing, designing, developing, and executing test plans and UAT. I have led teams and mentored IT professionals, delivering robust test strategies and driving quality across complex projects. I hold a Commerce degree and multiple certifications including ISEB, BCS Agile, ISTQB Agile, and Oracle Certified Professional. I excel in QA methodologies, backend data testing, SQL, and working across Mainframe, GUI, Digital, and Web platforms, with strong stakeholder communication and quick adaptation to new tools.

Balaji Soundararajan

I am a senior software test analyst with 27 years in the Software Development Life Cycle, including 5 years in mainframe COBOL and 22 years in manual testing, designing, developing, and executing test plans and UAT. I have led teams and mentored IT professionals, delivering robust test strategies and driving quality across complex projects. I hold a Commerce degree and multiple certifications including ISEB, BCS Agile, ISTQB Agile, and Oracle Certified Professional. I excel in QA methodologies, backend data testing, SQL, and working across Mainframe, GUI, Digital, and Web platforms, with strong stakeholder communication and quick adaptation to new tools.

Available to hire

I am a senior software test analyst with 27 years in the Software Development Life Cycle, including 5 years in mainframe COBOL and 22 years in manual testing, designing, developing, and executing test plans and UAT. I have led teams and mentored IT professionals, delivering robust test strategies and driving quality across complex projects.

I hold a Commerce degree and multiple certifications including ISEB, BCS Agile, ISTQB Agile, and Oracle Certified Professional. I excel in QA methodologies, backend data testing, SQL, and working across Mainframe, GUI, Digital, and Web platforms, with strong stakeholder communication and quick adaptation to new tools.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Test Analyst at HMRC / Capgemini / Atos / Eviden
May 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025
Led End-to-End testing and data validation across multiple databases for tax digital initiatives and penalties/interest administration. Performed exploratory testing, raised defects, ensured data journey integrity, and supported requirement traceability. Executed extensive SQL validation and demonstrated results via client showcases and ‘Show and Tell’ sessions.
Test Analyst at Saga Insurance
October 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022
Collaborated with Actuarial pricing teams to execute end-to-end testing for FCA-mandated pricing reforms. Created Motor and Home policy scenarios, analyzed pricing outcomes, interrogated backend data with SQL, and performed regression testing across pricing models.
Senior Test Analyst, CIT at Reassure
May 1, 2018 - February 29, 2020
Led CIT testing for the Alpha policy management migration (CARBYNE). Performed smoke, sanity and regression testing, created high/low level test plans and scripts, and integrated testing within CI pipelines (Jenkins). Coordinated with Finance and Actuarial teams for premium calculations and ensured data integrity post-migration.
Lead Test Analyst at Secure Trust Bank
August 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017
Led a team of testers on the Aurius core banking project. Conducted system acceptance and integration testing, triaged defects from third-party supplier, mentored junior testers, and facilitated UAT activities, including user guides and CBTs.
Test Analyst at Capgemini
February 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016
Worked within Test & Release Services (T&RS), testing end-to-end systems across VME/AS400 and related domains. Performed SQL data checks, introduced risk-based testing approaches, and coordinated with multiple domain teams to ensure timely delivery.
Senior Agile Test Analyst at Equifax TDX groups
April 1, 2015 - June 30, 2015
As Agile tester on the TIX project, contributed to testing of debt-management features, prepared test plans/scripts from backlog items, executed functional/regression testing, and produced release notes and end-user documentation.
Test Analyst at Wheatley Associates
August 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014
Delivered test planning and execution for Smart Metering (MOP/JUMBO). Verified backend data with SQL, collaborated with Business Analysts to improve usability, and conducted functional/regression testing on Delphi/Oracle-based solutions.
Test Analyst at Siemens
September 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Involved in designing high-level and low-level test scripts for Smart High Rise MDU projects, executed end-to-end testing, and participated in cross-organizational workshops for integration testing.
Senior Test Analyst at Capgemini / Inland Revenue (Telford)
January 1, 2013 - April 30, 2013
Executed test scripts for the Integrated Debt Management System, conducted integration testing, and prepared high/low level test plans and scripts for October releases; supported Windows/UNIX environments.
Senior Test Analyst at Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi
June 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013
Coordinated ESFO tool testing in an Agile setting, performed backend Cognos data validations, and executed end-to-end testing across multiple environments to ensure data integrity.
Test Analyst at RBS / Capgemini
June 1, 2010 - April 1, 2011
Contributed to insurance and banking testing, developed test scripts, performed data validation across environments, and supported agile ceremonies with backlog- and release-focused QA activities.
Test Analyst at CAPGEMINI / ATOS / EVIDEN (HMRC Projects)
May 1, 2022 - January 31, 2025
Design, prepare and execute End-to-End tests; validate data journeys; verify file formats and contents; perform exploratory testing; raise and track defects; execute Show and Tell sessions with clients; perform SQL data checks across multiple databases; contribute to requirements traceability; participate in stakeholder demonstrations and maintain Jira/Confluence artifacts.
Senior Test Analyst, CIT at Reassure, Telford
May 1, 2018 - February 29, 2020
Senior system test and BAU testing; continuous integration testing during migration; create high/low level test plans and scripts; deploy code via Jenkins; coordinate with Finance and Actuarial teams on Premium calculations; collaborate with BA on changes and prepare user guides.
Senior Test Analyst at Admin Re
April 11, 2011 - April 11, 2012
Alpha policy management testing; regression testing; coordination with offshore teams; development of test plans and scripts; UAT support and documentation.
Test Analyst at RBS Insurance / Capgemini
June 1, 2010 - April 30, 2011
End-to-end testing across insurance and banking domains; development of test artifacts; backend data validation using SQL; collaboration with business and IT teams.
Senior Test Analyst at Capgemini
January 1, 2009 - May 31, 2010
Senior test analyst across multiple Capgemini HMRC projects; leadership in test planning and execution; backend database validation including SQL; test management using Quality Centre/Jira.
Senior Test Analyst at Scottish Widows
June 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008
Corporate Pensions and related testing; regression and system testing; collaboration with business and IT teams to validate changes.
Senior Test Analyst at In4Tek
February 1, 2007 - April 30, 2008
PARIS project testing; end-to-end and regression testing; data validation and defect management; coordination with offshore/vendor teams.
Test Team Leader at BT Open Reach
April 1, 2006 - August 31, 2006
Team leadership for testing activities; coordination with development and test teams; involvement in end-to-end testing and release activities.
Test Analyst at CAPGEMINI, Telford CESA
July 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006
Test script development for pension policy illustrations; regression scripting; defect management and user training material preparation.
Test Analyst at EDS, Telford
July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2005
PMF/BROCS testing; test script creation and execution; data alignment across environments; risk-based testing and data verification.
Developer at EDS, Telford
November 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002
TPID development work; participation in testing-related activities and data preparation; early career in COBOL/legacy systems.
Contract Gap
March 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021
Paused employment to care for ailing family member and navigate pandemic-related disruptions.
Test Analyst at HMRC (via Capgemini/Atos/Eviden)
May 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025
Design, prepare and execute End-to-End tests across VAT-related projects; verify data journeys and system integrations; ensure data integrity through source-to-destination flows; produce Show & Tell evidence; prepare scripts for UAT; utilize SQL for backend validation; maintain requirements traceability; manage exploratory testing.
Senior Test Analyst, CIT at Reassure (Telford)
May 1, 2018 - February 29, 2020
Senior test analyst supporting the CARBYNE migration of Alpha policies; performed CI testing via Jenkins; authored high/low level test scripts and regression tests; collaborated with Finance and Actuarial teams; tested premium calculations and data integrity across migrations; used JIRA/Confluence for defect tracking and documentation.
Lead Test Analyst at Secure Trust Bank
September 1, 2017 - April 30, 2018
Led testing for the Aurius core banking solution; triaged defects with a third-party supplier; conducted System Acceptance and Integration Testing; mentored junior testers; contributed to End-to-End testing and UAT readiness; produced CBTs (Anti-Money Laundering, Customer Service) and user guides.
Test Analyst at Capgemini (T&RS HMRC)
February 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016
Worked on Test & Release Services for HMRC; conducted end-to-end testing across multiple systems (Coolgen, VME, Oracle, UNIX); performed SQL-backed backend validation; coordinated a small testing team; contributed to defect management and test planning.
Test Analyst at RBS
June 1, 2010 - April 30, 2011
Engaged in Insurance and Banking testing as part of the RBS project portfolio; delivered system, integration, and regression testing; supported UAT and data validation activities; collaborated with actuarial and business stakeholders to ensure data integrity across modules.

Education

Bachelor's degree in commerce at University of Madras
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
Bachelor's degree in commerce at University of Madras, India
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
Bachelor’s degree in commerce at University of Madras, India
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026

Qualifications

ISEB Certification in Software Foundation Testing
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
ISEB Certification in Intermediate Level Software Testing
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
BCS Certification in Agile Foundation
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
ISTQB Certification in Foundation Level Extension, Agile Testing
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
Oracle Certified Professional (Developer)
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
Sun Certified Java Developer
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
ISEB Certification in Software Foundation Testing
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
ISEB Certification in Intermediate Level Software Testing
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
BCS Certification in Agile Foundation
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
ISTQB Certification in Foundation Level Extension, Agile Testing
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
Oracle Certified Professional
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
Sun Certified Java Developer
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
ISEB Software Foundation Testing
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026
ISEB Intermediate Level Software Testing
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026
BCS Agile Foundation
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026
ISTQB Foundation Level Extension - Agile Testing
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026
Oracle Certified Professional Developer
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026
Sun Certified Java Developer
January 11, 2030 - May 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Government, Financial Services, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Energy & Utilities, Education, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Travel & Hospitality, Manufacturing