Santosh M Kunkur
Test Automation Practice Lead
Bangalore,KA
Summary
Automation Testing Lead with 12+ years of expertise in Web, API, and Desktop automation across banking, healthcare, privacy & compliance, and construction domains. Proven track record in architecting scalable test automation frameworks using Java, C#, Python, Selenium, Rest Assured, Cucumber, Spec Flow, and Test Complete. Adept at leading cross-functional QA teams, driving in-sprint automation, and delivering high-quality releases in Agile environments. Skilled in CI/CD, cloud (AWS, Azure), and DevOps practices, with a passion for mentoring teams, optimizing test strategies, and accelerating delivery through innovation.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Automation Module Lead
Mphasis
01.2022 - Current
- Set up project framework leveraging in-house tools and architecture.
- Developed core functionalities to support initial project requirements.
- Automated test case creation, execution, and maintenance using Selenium, Cucumber, Java, and TestComplete (for desktop applications).
- Implemented regression test automation for both UI and API layers.
- Collaborated closely with business stakeholders and technical teams to gather requirements and provide regular status updates.
- Maintained strong client engagement across all project phases.
- Actively participated in Agile ceremonies including sprint grooming, estimation, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
- Identified and reported defects uncovered during regression testing.
- Conducted code reviews and contributed to development best practices.
- Led a team of six engineers, providing technical guidance and mentorship.
- Participated in recruitment activities including candidate interviews.
- Trained team members on new tools, technologies, and automation strategies.
- Led automation strategy initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across multiple projects.
- Developed and implemented automated solutions, reducing manual processes and minimizing errors.
- Mentored team members on best practices in automation technologies and methodologies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify automation opportunities and streamline workflows.
SDET Lead
OneTrust Privacy Software Pvt Ltd
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Architected and enhanced a modular Test Automation Framework in Java, Selenium WebDriver, TestNG, Cucumber, and RestAssured, reducing maintenance effort by 30% and accelerating feature coverage.
- Developed and executed comprehensive API test suites with RestAssured and Postman, validating 100+ critical endpoints across multiple environments.
- Automated end-to-end test case creation, execution, and script maintenance, cutting manual testing hours by 50% and enabling seamless CI/CD integration.
- Diagnosed and resolved over 200 automation failures, sustaining a 95%+ pass rate during nightly and regression runs.
- Utilized Kubernetes CLI commands fetch and analyze service logs, shortening root-cause analysis time in a containerized microservices architecture.
- Integrated in-sprint automation directly into Scrum ceremonies, boosting sprint throughput by 25% and ensuring rapid, high-quality feature releases.
- Conducted rigorous code reviews and championed automation best practices, driving a 20% reduction in flaky tests and code smells.
- Monitored application health and error trends using Coralogix and the ELK stack, proactively identifying and remediating 100+ service anomalies before production.
- Collaborated with business owners and cross-functional teams to define user stories, acceptance criteria, and test strategies, ensuring alignment on deliverables.
- Actively participated in sprint grooming, effort estimation, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives to uphold Agile principles and continuous improvement.
- Managed end-to-end testing lifecycles in JIRA, from requirements mapping and test case management to defect logging and closure.
- Partnered with the Software Quality Assurance team to plan system, integration, and regression testing, guaranteeing high-quality software releases.
- Authored BDD-style test scenarios in Cucumber, leveraging Java programming constructs, Selenium element locators, WebDriver methods, and TestNG annotations.
- Led and mentored a team of three automation engineers—facilitating knowledge-shares, pairing sessions, and career development to ensure project success.
QA Automation Engineer
Prokarma (InEight India)
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Tailored the organization’s in-house automation framework for new projects, cutting setup time and ensuring consistent standards.
- Developed core automation components and reusable utilities in C#, Selenium WebDriver, and SpecFlow to streamline script creation.
- Led end-to-end test lifecycle activities—requirements analysis, test plan authoring, scenario design, peer review, and execution—to guarantee thorough coverage.
- Built and maintained automated UI and API regression suites, significantly reducing manual testing efforts and accelerating release cycles.
- Collaborated with business owners and technical teams to clarify user stories, define acceptance criteria, and align testing objectives with project goals.
- Actively drove Agile processes—sprint grooming, estimation, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives—boosting team throughput and continuous improvement.
- Performed rigorous code reviews and championed best practices in test automation, minimizing flaky tests and enhancing maintainability.
- Managed and mentored a team of four automation engineers, conducting knowledge-sharing sessions and guiding professional development.
- Participated in the recruitment lifecycle—resume screening, technical interviews, and candidate evaluation—to build a high-caliber QA automation team.
- Designed and delivered hands-on training workshops on new tools, frameworks, and testing methodologies to upskill team members.
QA Engineer
QSG Technologies Pvt Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Transitioned manual test processes to automation using Java, Selenium, TestNG, Sikuli, and AutoIt.
- Created and maintained regression suites, improving pre-release defect detection.
- Built element locators and stable automation scripts, enhancing efficiency.
- Developed automated test scripts using Selenium to enhance testing efficiency.
- Executed functional and regression testing to ensure software quality and performance.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve defects.
- Implemented test case design techniques to improve test coverage and accuracy.
Education
B.E. - Computer Science Engineering
BLDEA’s CET
Bijapur, Karnataka01.2011
Skills
Category: Tools & Technologies
undefinedTimeline
Automation Module Lead
Mphasis
01.2022 - Current
SDET Lead
OneTrust Privacy Software Pvt Ltd
01.2020 - 01.2022
QA Automation Engineer
Prokarma (InEight India)
01.2016 - 01.2020
QA Engineer
QSG Technologies Pvt Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2016
B.E. - Computer Science Engineering
BLDEA’s CET