Sarmista Bandaru
Chandler,AZ
Summary
- Seasoned QA Manager with **16+ years of experience** driving quality assurance initiatives across the software development lifecycle, specializing in enterprise applications, eCommerce platforms, and payments systems. Proven expertise in functional testing, REST/SOAP API validation, and building robust automation frameworks using Selenium, REST Assured, TestNG, and CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins, Git, and Maven.
- Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional QA teams (onshore/offshore), managing up to 7 engineers, and mentoring junior talent to deliver scalable, high-quality software. Adept at defining and executing test strategies for functional, regression, performance (JMeter), and security testing, aligned with Agile (Scrum/Kanban) methodologies and TDD/BDD practices.
- Skilled in transforming manual test processes into automated pipelines, optimizing test coverage, and accelerating release velocity. Experienced with tools like JIRA, HP ALM, Rally, and POSTMAN, and known for strong communication, planning, and stakeholder management across fast-paced, collaborative environments.
- Hands-on experience in database testing (Oracle, SQL Server), and deep exposure to manual and automation testing including cross-browser, UAT, GUI, system, and integration validations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
QA Manager/Automation Test Lead
Grand Canyon University
09.2019 - Current
- Lead QA organization (7+ engineers) across LMS and EdTech platforms; established QA vision, defined KPIs, and executed test strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Architected test automation pipelines using Selenium and REST Assured within Jenkins-based CI/CD workflows, reducing regression cycle time by 45%.
- Mentored and upskilled team in BDD, API testing, and cross-browser test automation, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
- Implemented early-stage testing and test case reviews with Product and Dev, reducing escaped defects by 30%.
- Collaborated with infosec to run penetration tests for Halo app, resulting in proactive remediation of critical vulnerabilities.
- Introduced accessibility and mobile compatibility testing for student applications across devices.
Functional / Automation Test Engineer
Shutterfly Business Solutions
04.2017 - 09.2019
- Automating the Shutterfly SBS Portal/API and implementing the CI/CD model.
- Responsible for testing and reviewing of RESTAPI based on the business requirements from various teams and the business teams.
- Reviewed the Business Requirement Document to understand the process and writing Test Plan and Test Cases.
- Automated reusable API test cases. Worked on POSTMAN client for Manual testing.
- Designed and implemented REST API Automation using Java, TestNG and REST Assured Framework.
- Designed and developed Data Driven Framework to validate test case against different data set.
- Implemented CI/CD model using tools like Maven and Jenkins.
- Responsible to send the Test status report to the QA manager on weekly basis.
- Performed Group Portal UI Load Testing using JMETER measured the application performance metrics with respect to the no of users.
- Automated GUI test cases based on automation testing framework utilizing Java, TestNG and Selenium WebDriver.
- Distributed the test and achieved cross browser testing using Selenium Grid 2.0.
Functional Manual/Automation Test Lead
Discover bank
10.2011 - 01.2015
- Directed QA lifecycle for Personal and Education Loan platforms; managed a blended team of 6–8 QA engineers offshore/onshore.
- Created modular, data-driven test automation framework using Selenium + TestNG; integrated with Jenkins CI pipelines.
- Conducted SQL-based backend validations, performance tuning, and UAT support in high-volume financial transactions.
- Reported defect metrics, test completion stats, and risk assessments to project stakeholders and business leaders.
Functional Tester
Citi Group
01.2009 - 10.2011
- Company Overview: Citi Direct online banking allows users to make payments online easily, whereas Phoenix Reports and Inquiries (BTR) application provides customers with the facility to interrogate their cash statement data through a variety of inquiries and reports such as accounts, balances, transactions, payment advices and statements.
- Test cases preparation.
- Integration Testing.
- Defect Logging and Reporting.
- Preparing Traceability Matrix to ensure the test case coverage.
- Web services testing planning and script preparation.
- Automation Framework Planning.
- Automated Test Script Preparation.
- Test data Preparation.
- Execution of Automated Test Scripts.
- Citi Direct online banking allows users to make payments online easily, whereas Phoenix Reports and Inquiries (BTR) application provides customers with the facility to interrogate their cash statement data through a variety of inquiries and reports such as accounts, balances, transactions, payment advices and statements.
Software Engineer Trainee
Infosys Training Center
06.2008 - 12.2008
- Undergone 6 months of training in technical skills, functional and automation testing as listed: Generic, JAVA, J2EE and Testing Technology.
Education
B Tech - Information Technology
JNTU University
05-2008
Skills
- **QA Strategy & Leadership** – Roadmaps, Team Scaling, Mentoring, Cross-functional Management
- **Automation Frameworks** – Selenium, Cypress, REST Assured, TestNG, Java
- **Performance & Security Testing** – JMeter, Penetration Testing Coordination
- **Agile & SDLC Expertise** – Scrum, Kanban, Shift-Left Testing, TDD/BDD
- **Tooling** – Jenkins, Git, Maven, JIRA, CircleCI, Sauce Labs, Postman, SOAPUI
- **Domain Expertise** – eCommerce, Payments, EdTech, FinTech, Cloud Platforms
- **Communication** – Executive Reporting, Stakeholder Alignment, Conflict Resolution
Accomplishments
- Received 'GEM AWARD' for Excellence in Education Loans for client Discover Bank in Infosys.
- Received an 'INDIVIDUAL GEM AWARD' from City Bank Client.
- Appreciations and Honors from Bank Of America client for successfully launched and tested web application.
- Received 'TEAM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD' for the successful launch of Group portal in spite of very tight deadlines in Shutterfly.
Timeline
QA Manager/Automation Test Lead
Grand Canyon University
09.2019 - Current
Functional / Automation Test Engineer
Shutterfly Business Solutions
04.2017 - 09.2019
Functional Manual/Automation Test Lead
Discover bank
10.2011 - 01.2015
Functional Tester
Citi Group
01.2009 - 10.2011
Software Engineer Trainee
Infosys Training Center
06.2008 - 12.2008
B Tech - Information Technology
JNTU University