Sampath is available for hire
Hire SampathSampath Kumar Maka
Verified Expert in Engineering
QA Automation Engineer and Developer
Singapore, Singapore
Toptal member since May 25, 2020
Bio
Sampath is a veteran quality engineering leader with 16+ years of experience across manual, automation, performance, and chaos testing. With over 10,000 hours delivered on Toptal, he builds scalable, tool-agnostic test solutions using Selenium, Appium, Playwright, JMeter, and chaos tools. Proficient in Java, JavaScript, and Python, Sampath integrates testing into CI/CD pipelines and drives strategies that improve release confidence and product quality across domains.
Portfolio
Carrier Global
React Native, JavaScript, React, GraphQL, CSS, Appium, API Testing...
NE Digital
Automated Testing, API Testing, Android, Appium, Cypress, Selenium...
Pogo Technologies, Inc.
JavaScript, CI/CD Pipelines, React Native, Jest, Appium, Automated UI Testing...
Experience
- Quality Assurance (QA) - 14 years
- Selenium - 14 years
- QA Automation - 10 years
- Appium - 8 years
- Mobile App Testing - 5 years
- Testsigma - 5 years
- Automated Testing - 5 years
- Test Automation Frameworks - 5 years
Preferred Environment
REST Assured, Katalon Studio, Appium, Selenium WebDriver, Testsigma, TestComplete, Kaspresso, Cypress, Playwright, Postman
The most amazing...
...thing was reducing CFR from 20% to 1%, optimizing delivery pipelines, enforcing fast dev-to-QA feedback (<15 mins), and driving org-wide quality practices.
Work Experience
QA Automation Lead
2023 - 2025
Carrier Global
- Reduced regression cycle from seven to one day across three brands by identifying critical user journeys, automating high-risk flows, and streamlining test execution to align with evolving release cadences—boosting release speed and confidence.
- Designed and implemented automation frameworks for Web, REST API, iOS, and Android from scratch. Achieved over 90% coverage, enabling seamless end-to-end validation of real-time IoT workflows across devices, environments, and platforms.
- Combined manual and automated testing for critical firmware behaviors and edge-case scenarios. Validated end-to-end IoT workflows while ensuring faster feedback cycles, defect prevention, and improved cross-platform test reliability.
- Enabled a zero-defect release of a major app version and led quality efforts for a complete UI/UX revamp. Ensured backward compatibility, regression safety, and stability under live user conditions for a smooth production rollout.
- Built a local automation team from the ground up. Mentored new hires, created onboarding frameworks, and ensured complete framework knowledge transfer—empowering the team to manage releases independently with high delivery maturity.
- Integrated automation into CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions and Jenkins, enabling nightly regression, smoke validations, and test status visibility across squads, reducing manual intervention and improving deployment confidence.
- Collaborated closely with product owners, developers, and architects to define test strategy, align test coverage to business priorities, and triage defects early—improving release coordination and quality ownership across teams.
- Stabilized test environments and managed production-like data setups for consistent, repeatable test executions. Proactively resolved test flakiness due to unstable IoT states, ensuring high reliability in automated test results.
Technologies: React Native, JavaScript, React, GraphQL, CSS, Appium, API Testing, Automated Testing, Automated UI Testing, BrowserStack, AWS Device Farm, QA Testing, Testsigma, Cypress, Mobile App Testing, Test Automation Frameworks, Quality Assurance (QA), Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Mobile Device QA Automation, CI/CD Pipelines, Selenium WebDriver, Web App Automation, Manual Testing, Selenium, Manual QA, Team Leadership, Postman, QA Automation, Test Management, QA Leadership, Quality Assurance Management, Project Management, Playwright, Git, Python, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, Unit Testing, Test Automation, GitHub
Senior QA Lead
2020 - 2024
NE Digital
- Joined and promoted to take the lead on quality engineering initiatives throughout the FairPrice group. Defined QA strategy, approach, and execution in development projects. Worked on the implementation of the shift-left testing approach.
- Managed functional processes and tools, ensuring fit for purpose and business support. Fostered customer-focused culture to deepen client relationships and leverage broader organization relationships, systems, and knowledge.
- Assembled the pioneering quality engineering team and functional processes and standards. Developed initial strategy, methodology, discipline, and framework to safeguard quality thresholds across all levels of testing.
- Safeguarded quality thresholds through SonarCloud integration for code coverage gates with Bitbucket pipelines as part of merge checks.
- Created the native iOS and Android automation frameworks independently to support integration and end-to-end UI tests. Utilized Cucumberish for iOS native automation and Kaspresso for Android. Created testing frameworks 30% faster than Espresso.
- Set up the web and API automation framework and boosted test automation in just one month. Created a Locust performance testing framework to run in distributed mode using Kubernetes for performance testing of the services.
Technologies: Automated Testing, API Testing, Android, Appium, Cypress, Selenium, Quality Assurance (QA), QA Leadership, Manual QA, Mobile Device QA Automation, BrowserStack, JavaScript, Testsigma, XCUITest, Kaspresso, Espresso, Large-scale Projects, TestCafe, Automated UI Testing, AWS Device Farm, CI/CD Pipelines, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Mobile App Testing, Test Automation Frameworks, Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Locust, GraphQL, Selenium WebDriver, Web App Automation, SQL, Manual Testing, eCommerce, QA Testing, Team Leadership, Postman, QA Automation, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Playwright, Git, Python, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, Unit Testing, Test Automation, GitHub
Test Automation QA Engineer
2022 - 2022
Pogo Technologies, Inc.
- Reviewed the end-to-end development and QA cycle for POGO’s React Native app and identified limitations in the existing testing approach, especially for automation of multi-platform workflows and secure flows like 2-step authentication.
- Conducted comprehensive proof-of-concepts (POCs) with modern automation tools, ultimately selecting and onboarding Testsigma for its React Native compatibility and extensibility, enabling test coverage across both Android and iOS platforms.
- Built custom add-ons within Testsigma to automate two-step authentication flows, and integrated the solution with GitHub Actions, streamlining CI/CD and reducing manual testing efforts by over 60%.
Technologies: JavaScript, CI/CD Pipelines, React Native, Jest, Appium, Automated UI Testing, Android, Automated Testing, BrowserStack, Continuous Development (CD), GitHub Actions, Testsigma, Mobile App Testing, Test Automation Frameworks, Quality Assurance (QA), Mobile Device QA Automation, Selenium WebDriver, Manual Testing, Selenium, Manual QA, QA Testing, Postman, QA Automation, Web App Automation, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Git, Python, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, Unit Testing, Test Automation, GitHub
QA Consultant
2022 - 2022
Container Exchange Services - Main
- Evaluated the existing Tosca-based automation stack and identified critical scalability limitations, particularly for iPad application testing, leading to a complete reassessment of the automation approach.
- Conducted proof-of-concepts with multiple modern automation tools, and successfully selected and implemented Testsigma, ensuring cross-platform compatibility and seamless CI/CD integration tailored to the client’s iPad-based workflows.
- Onboarded Testsigma into the organization by setting up CI/CD pipelines, training the QA team, and delivering comprehensive handover documentation, resulting in 100% tool adoption and a fully self-sufficient in-house automation capability.
Technologies: Quality Assurance (QA), QA Automation, TypeScript, JavaScript, Cypress, Test Automation Frameworks, Mobile App Testing, Testsigma, AWS Device Farm, Tricentis Tosca, Automated UI Testing, Mobile Device QA Automation, CI/CD Pipelines, Selenium WebDriver, Manual Testing, Selenium, Manual QA, QA Testing, Postman, Appium, Web App Automation, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Playwright, Git, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, Unit Testing, Test Automation, GitHub
QA Consultant
2022 - 2022
Container Exchange Services,
- Performed POCs on different automation tools to replace Tosca and finalized the Testsigma tool the organization used for their future automation needs.
- Set up the initial test automation framework for iOS, web, and database testing using Testsigma for creating end-to-end testing.
- Oversaw the technical adoption of Testsigma and mentored the team on the best practices for using the tool.
- Reduced the test development time by 70% and execution time by 90%.
Technologies: Quality Assurance (QA), QA Automation, TypeScript, JavaScript, Cypress, Test Automation Frameworks, Mobile App Testing, Large-scale Projects, Consulting, Automated UI Testing, Testsigma, Mobile Device QA Automation, Selenium WebDriver, Manual Testing, Selenium, Manual QA, QA Testing, Postman, Appium, Jenkins, Web App Automation, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Git, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, GitHub
Senior QA Lead
2021 - 2021
Lyka
- Set up the test automation frameworks independently for web, mobile (Android and iOS), and API testing from scratch.
- Managed a team of ten QA, both manual and automated, to enhance the test coverage at all the platforms, ensuring the quality of the product being released to the end users.
- Launched the eCommerce module successfully in the application to cater to six million users.
Technologies: Android, API Testing, Appium, Automated Testing, Automated UI Testing, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), BrowserStack, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cypress, XCUITest, Consulting, AWS Device Farm, Testsigma, Manual QA, QA Leadership, CI/CD Pipelines, QA Testing, Mobile Device QA Automation, Mobile App Testing, Test Automation Frameworks, Quality Assurance (QA), Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Kaspresso, Selenium WebDriver, Web App Automation, SQL, Manual Testing, eCommerce, Selenium, Team Leadership, Postman, QA Automation, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Git, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, GitHub
QA Lead
2019 - 2020
Circles Life
- Served as the quality gatekeeper in three countries for Circles Life's web, Android, and iOS app, with a combined reach of 2.5 million customers.
- Increased the app's ratings from 3 to 4.5 on Google Play and the App Store.
- Oversaw country launches, implemented the QA processes from scratch, and moved toward shift-left testing.
- Increased test automation coverage from zero to 60% in three months.
- Set up the entire test automation framework for web, mobile, and API, using Selenium, Appium, and REST Assured.
- Conducted both manual testing and automation testing.
- Increased the ROI of the QA organization by identifying the critical issues and doing proper root cause analysis (RCA) to avoid future issues.
- Led a team of 20 quality engineers, focusing on manual and automation testing.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Jenkins, Docker, Ruby on Rails (RoR), iOS, Android, Go, Node.js, Test Automation Frameworks, Automated Testing, Selenium, Mobile App Testing, XCUITest, Quality Assurance (QA), QA Leadership, QA Automation, Web App Automation, Test Case Development, Test Case Creation, Test Case Execution, Automated UI Testing, Microservices Architecture, Espresso, Manual QA, Reporting, QA Testing, eCommerce, Large-scale Projects, Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Mobile Device QA Automation, CI/CD Pipelines, Selenium WebDriver, SQL, Manual Testing, Team Leadership, Postman, Appium, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Git, E2E Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing, GitHub
Tech Lead
2018 - 2019
Arcesium
- Revamped and migrated the UI test automation framework from legacy Selenium IDE to Katalon Studio.
- Oversaw the efforts of 15 team members involved in improving the test coverage of the enterprise application.
- Performed multiple POCs on test automation tools available in the market to identify the best fit for the organization and selected Katalon Studio as the solution.
- Increased the regression test automation coverage from 20% to 45%, sprint on sprint.
- Owned accountability for the quality of the applications dealing with the financial instruments worth around $10 billion.
- Conducted manual testing of features during sprints.
- Created and drove an automation backlog from manual test cases.
Technologies: Katalon Studio, Selenium, SonarQube, Node.js, Java, Test Automation Frameworks, Automated Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), QA Leadership, QA Automation, Web App Automation, Test Case Development, Test Case Creation, Test Case Execution, Automated UI Testing, Microservices Architecture, Manual QA, Reporting, QA Testing, Large-scale Projects, Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Selenium WebDriver, SQL, Manual Testing, Team Leadership, Postman, Jenkins, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Git, Regression Testing, UI Testing
QA Engineer
2017 - 2018
PropertyGuru
- Created a custom native iOS testing framework, using XCUITest with Cucumberish.
- Reduced the feedback time on the application by 20% for any new issues in the builds.
- Set up the merge check for the new commits into the application.
- Served as the quality gatekeeper for apps with an aggregate reach of 10 million users.
Technologies: Jenkins, XCUITest, Cucumberish, iOS, Test Automation Frameworks, Automated Testing, Mobile App Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), QA Automation, Test Case Development, Test Case Creation, Test Case Execution, Automated UI Testing, Manual QA, Reporting, QA Testing, eCommerce, Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Mobile Device QA Automation, CI/CD Pipelines, Selenium WebDriver, SQL, Manual Testing, Selenium, Postman, Appium, Web App Automation, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Database Testing, Git, Regression Testing, UI Testing
QA Lead
2015 - 2017
Excel Global Solutions
- Built the QA organization from scratch and expanded it to eight employees.
- Participated in capacity planning for the QA resources.
- Developed the QA strategy for manual and automation testing for the web and APIs.
- Created and maintained the regression suite for web and mobile applications.
- Contributed to the creation, execution, and reporting of test cases and their results to clients.
- Owned responsibility for the quality of the applications and performed RCAs for post-production issues.
- Built an out-of-the-box automation solution from scratch, reducing the time involved in the reconciliation process by 70%.
- Created the automation roadmap and drove the automation scrum to increase test coverage.
Technologies: REST Assured, Robot Framework, TestComplete, JavaScript, Java, Test Automation Frameworks, Automated Testing, Selenium, Quality Assurance (QA), QA Leadership, QA Automation, Web App Automation, Test Case Development, Test Case Creation, Test Case Execution, Automated UI Testing, Manual QA, Reporting, QA Testing, Root-cause Analysis (RCA), Selenium WebDriver, Manual Testing, Jenkins, Project Management, Quality Assurance Management, Test Management, Database Testing, Git, Regression Testing, UI Testing
Senior Tech Associate
2010 - 2015
Bank of America
- Performed functional testing on the research applications and recommendations.
- Created the test strategy, test plan, and test cases for the project.
- Triaged defects among key stakeholders to drive quick decisions.
- Increased test coverage by automating 20% of the functional test cases, using Selenium and Java.
- Set up the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline for testing.
- Ensured testing effectiveness for releases, reported test results, and conducted root cause analyses.
- Performed testing for a $2 million portfolio comprising several asset classes.
Technologies: SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), HP Quality Center (QC), Selenium, .NET, JavaScript, Java, Quality Assurance (QA), SQL, Test Case Development, Test Case Creation, Test Case Execution, Automated UI Testing, ETL Testing, Manual QA, Reporting, QA Testing, Banking & Finance, Large-scale Projects, Web App Automation, Manual Testing, Test Management, Database Testing, Regression Testing, UI Testing
Experience
Circles Life Mobile and Web App
Led and managed the workload for 14 team members who were distributed across several geographies and supported the manual and automation testing of web and mobile app features in three regions.
My responsibilities included project management, release train management for all microservices and weekly release product features, and testing and sign-off so that all new features were pushed into production in a timely manner before the end of the sprint. I was also responsible for RCAs for any post-production issues and for setting up processes to avoid future issues related to the learnings from the RCAs.
My responsibilities included project management, release train management for all microservices and weekly release product features, and testing and sign-off so that all new features were pushed into production in a timely manner before the end of the sprint. I was also responsible for RCAs for any post-production issues and for setting up processes to avoid future issues related to the learnings from the RCAs.
Arcesium Post-trade Management System
Led 15 team members and was accountable for delivering the entire project. I was initially responsible for the manual testing activities and later created and drove the regression automation roadmap for the entire platform. I also researched the available test automation tools (Selenium WebDriver, Katalon Studio, Cypress.io, and Robot Framework) and drove the selection of the best tool to meet the organization's needs. Finally, I was involved in developing and maintaining integration tests for the different applications involved in the entire platform, both manually and through automation.
PropertyGuru Apps
Oversaw the manual testing of eight iOS apps for PropertyGuru before they were released in four countries. I increased the testing efficiency by co-creating a custom BDD framework for mobile iOS automation using Cucumber on Swift in Xcode. I developed another framework to automate API testing, prepared the feature files and step definitions, and led the implementation for all the test cases in BDD using Gherkin.
Education
2018 - 2020
Master of Technology Degree in Software Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) - Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India
2006 - 2010
Bachelor of Technology Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) - Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India
Certifications
APRIL 2011 - PRESENT
ISTQB – Foundation Level
ISTQB
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Selenium WebDriver, Playwright, Node.js, React
Tools
Postman, Katalon Studio, Git, Jenkins, BrowserStack, GitHub, REST Assured, Cucumber, AWS Device Farm, RabbitMQ, SonarQube, HP Quality Center (QC), Xcode
Frameworks
Selenium, Appium, Kaspresso, XCUITest, Cypress, Locust, TestCafe, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Cucumberish, Robot Framework, .NET, Espresso, React Native, Jest
Paradigms
Automated Testing, Manual Testing, E2E Testing, Test Automation, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Unit Testing, Microservices Architecture, Continuous Development (CD)
Platforms
Testsigma, iOS, Android, TestComplete, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Docker, Oracle, Windows, OS X, Linux, Tricentis Tosca
Industry Expertise
Project Management, Banking & Finance
Languages
SQL, Python, JavaScript, Java, Go, Gherkin, TypeScript, GraphQL, CSS
Storage
Database Testing, MongoDB, Redis, MySQL, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Other
Web App Automation, Mobile App Testing, Automated UI Testing, Test Case Development, Test Case Creation, Test Case Execution, Test Automation Frameworks, Manual QA, QA Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), Root-cause Analysis (RCA), QA Automation, QA Leadership, Team Leadership, API Testing, Mobile Device QA Automation, Reporting, Large-scale Projects, CI/CD Pipelines, Test Management, Quality Assurance Management, Regression Testing, UI Testing, ETL Testing, eCommerce, Consulting, GitHub Actions, Hedge Funds, Software Engineering, Electronics, Communications Electronics, Distributed Team Management, Remote Team Leadership
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