Balash Akbari

Selected Playwright as the enterprise test automation platform and architected the migration from Cypress and Selenium through completion. Defines company-wide quality engineering KPIs and designs ETL processes with Python, Apache NiFi, and SQL, developing Power BI dashboards.

Architected and implemented enterprise performance testing infrastructure from the ground up, supporting multiple enterprise systems. Led the transition from APICA to code-based k6 testing, reducing annual platform costs by more than $60,000.

Served as a customer-facing test architect for five teams, translating business needs into technical strategies. Aligned testing approaches across teams and designed test automation frameworks for distributed execution and reporting.

Worked with client stakeholders to analyze business workflows and existing QA processes, translating findings into a tailored test automation architecture. Designed and directed development of a flexible automation framework and supporting test data management model.

Architected and developed a mobile API test automation framework using C#, MariaDB, and NLog. Developed sample Android automation scripts using Ranorex to demonstrate mobile testing approaches.

Architected a web application test automation framework using Selenium and JUnit, defining framework components, class diagrams, and data models in Sparx Enterprise Architect. Implemented SQL Server stored procedures for test data access and execution logging.

Used statistical analysis to establish expected workloads and performance requirements, then developed and executed load tests using SOASTA. Investigated browser performance and page load behaviour using Chrome performance tools.

Evaluated automation technologies and provided cost-benefit analysis to support decisions on the next-generation test automation framework. Architected an Oracle-based test data model and selected a toolset incorporating JBehave and Selenium.

Assessed the existing automation framework and designed extensions to build on established testing assets. Developed the architecture and data model for a Selenium and JUnit web testing framework, supported by cost-benefit analysis.

Developed enterprise QA strategies for mobile, web, and cloud applications, including backend services and continuous integration. Introduced Agile QA practices and provided technical mentoring to strengthen the team's testing capabilities.

Joined an application modernization project to lead performance testing; expanded the engagement to include claims validation, functional application testing, test automation, and support for system optimization. Developed SQL scripts and tools for workload modeling and performance testing.

Prepared detailed performance and load test plans, evaluated performance measurement and load generation tools, and designed and configured test environments, including cloud-based execution on Amazon EC2. Architected a web test automation framework using TestComplete, JavaScript, C#, and SQL.

Established cross-product automation strategy, assessed existing QA infrastructure, and developed improvement plans aligned with Agile delivery. Designed and built the Hub performance test lab, including workload estimation, virtualization, and networking. Managed the Hub development and QA teams, bringing the project from risk of cancellation to a successful beta program in four months.

Developed a web application test automation framework using NUnit, C#, Python, and Selenium.

Led functional, stress, and performance testing of networking software, developing tools and automated scripts using C, C++, and Python. Designed wireless network characterization tools and optimized performance tests for carrier environments.

Led test automation and functional, performance, and load testing for BFS, the airline ticket search application. Revamped testing infrastructure and automated existing and new test cases. Coordinated live, large-scale testing with external partners and implementation and deployment of BFS server farms.

Taught and supported instruction in data communication and networking, UNIX operating systems, C++ programming, Visual Basic, and client/server programming using sockets. Lectured on TCP/IP and IPX/SPX protocol architecture, TCP/IP network administration, and Novell NetWare.

Pursued computer science studies at Simon Fraser University from 1994 to 1996.

Completed the Applied Computer System Technologist Program at Langara College from 1991 to 1994.