I am a Software Test Lead/QA Engineer with over 12 years of experience managing software quality assurance across web, desktop, and API-based applications. I excel at leading distributed QA teams, designing scalable automation frameworks, and embedding quality within Agile and DevOps processes. I am known for strategic thinking, hands-on technical expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement. I am proficient in both manual and automation testing, with strong CI/CD integration using Azure DevOps and Jenkins. I have delivered high-quality outcomes in finance, retail, logistics, and telecom domains. I have led test planning, SIT, UAT, performance testing, and accessibility testing, and I mentor teams to shift-left and improve release quality.

Sonali Patnaik

I am a Software Test Lead/QA Engineer with over 12 years of experience managing software quality assurance across web, desktop, and API-based applications. I excel at leading distributed QA teams, designing scalable automation frameworks, and embedding quality within Agile and DevOps processes. I am known for strategic thinking, hands-on technical expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement. I am proficient in both manual and automation testing, with strong CI/CD integration using Azure DevOps and Jenkins. I have delivered high-quality outcomes in finance, retail, logistics, and telecom domains. I have led test planning, SIT, UAT, performance testing, and accessibility testing, and I mentor teams to shift-left and improve release quality.

Available to hire

I am a Software Test Lead/QA Engineer with over 12 years of experience managing software quality assurance across web, desktop, and API-based applications. I excel at leading distributed QA teams, designing scalable automation frameworks, and embedding quality within Agile and DevOps processes. I am known for strategic thinking, hands-on technical expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement. I am proficient in both manual and automation testing, with strong CI/CD integration using Azure DevOps and Jenkins. I have delivered high-quality outcomes in finance, retail, logistics, and telecom domains.

I have led test planning, SIT, UAT, performance testing, and accessibility testing, and I mentor teams to shift-left and improve release quality.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Software Test Analyst at Intersoft Systems and Programming Limited
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Responsible for API and Web UI testing and end-to-end validation across three projects. Managed multiple QA teams onsite and offshore, overseeing test planning, execution, and defect management to ensure quality and timely delivery. Defined test plans, strategies, and schedules in collaboration with business stakeholders, developers, and IT teams. Performed manual functional testing, system integration testing (SIT), regression testing, UAT, performance testing, and exploratory testing to validate requirements. Conducted database testing (SQL) and supported accessibility testing per WCAG standards using Wave and Axe. Led automation efforts for API and Web testing in C# with Selenium and Playwright (JavaScript). Managed test assets in Azure DevOps Repos and reviewed peers’ code; mentored testers in automation and domain knowledge. Participated in RCAs and CABs for urgent releases, capacity planning, and alignment of QA bandwidth with sprint velocity. Drove shift-left practices and con
Lead QA / Team Leader at Handicraftstore Limited UK (Quantiz Limited)
July 1, 2020 - December 1, 2024
Led QA for an ecommerce platform integrating Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Handmade. Defined QA operating model, scorecards, and standardized reporting; created UAT exit criteria and release gating. Directed a small offshore/onsite QA team (5 people) and mentored testers in business and automation knowledge. Implemented Selenium WebDriver with Java and Cucumber for web automation and piloted Playwright with TypeScript in an automation framework, with CI/CD automation in Azure DevOps. Performed API testing with Postman, REST APIs, and security testing (ZAP OWASP). Managed test management tools (JIRA, TestRail) and supported live production validation and RCA. Led capacity planning and stakeholder communications; contributed to performance testing (JMeter) and security testing. Ensured cloud-based testing in AWS/Azure.
Quality Engineer / Test Lead at Inmarsat Limited
March 1, 2019 - June 1, 2020
Led test strategy, test plans, and QA processes for satellite communications products. Introduced JIRA and Zephyr + Confluence for test management; moved from spreadsheets to structured documentation. Performed REST API and Web UI testing; built and maintained a Selenium/Cucumber/Java regression framework; supervised a team of QA analysts; collaborated with development, product, and operations teams. Executed automated and manual tests; tracked defects and produced reports; aligned testing with release schedules. Participated in RCA and CAB for urgent deployments; contributed to performance testing using JMeter; ensured accessibility/testing considerations.
Senior Software Tester / Technology Team Lead at Metapack Limited (now Auctane)
February 1, 2011 - March 1, 2019
Senior Software Tester/Technology Team Lead in ecommerce delivery management. Participated in Agile ceremonies; authored and updated test plans and scripts; developed automation for regression testing across UI, API, configurations, and database layers using Oracle SQL. Created and reviewed test deliverables and defect reports; performed functional and non-functional testing; built automated regression suites with Selenium, Cucumber, Java; supported SIT and UAT; collaborated with stakeholders to drive quality across 350+ global carriers and 4,000+ services.
Senior Software Engineer at Vichara Technologies
June 1, 2007 - June 1, 2008
Senior Software Engineer; contributed to analysis, design, development and testing of enhancements for PDS Plus and Whole Loan Trading System; conducted manual testing aligned with test plans to ensure comprehensive test coverage and software quality; collaborated with QA leads and project managers to prioritize testing activities and coordinate test efforts across development and QA teams.
Software Engineer at Wipro Technologies (Ericsson Client)
October 1, 2005 - May 1, 2007
Developed C++ client-server applications, APIs; performed debugging and bug fixes as part of the SDLC; participated in integration testing, system testing, regression testing, and build preparation; logged and tracked defects in Bugzilla; contributed to design documents, test cases, user guides, and release notes; collaborated with cross-functional teams to support releases.

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science and Engineering) at Utkal University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2005

Qualifications

ISEB-ISTQB certified tester
January 11, 2030 - May 14, 2026

Industry Experience

Retail, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Financial Services, Software & Internet