Sonali Pohekar
Pune
Summary
Accomplished Quality Engineering Leader with over 15 years of experience in driving QA automation strategies for complex enterprise applications within Banking & Financial Services. Developed scalable automation frameworks integrated into CI/CD pipelines using Java, Selenium, and advanced testing tools. Specialised in API and performance testing, effectively managing cross-functional stakeholders and resolving automation issues under pressure.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Test Analyst (Acting Lead)
Citi
Pune
01.2020 - Current
- Company Overview: Commercial Banking (CCB) - Loans & CBUSOL
- Led QA automation strategy for critical banking applications, implementing quality frameworks across multiple platforms and business domains
- Integrated automation into CI/CD pipelines through shift-left testing approach, collaborating with BAS, PMs, and developers to reduce time-to-market
- Developed and enhanced scalable automation frameworks (GTF and FAST) using Java and Selenium, achieving 30% efficiency improvement and accelerating release cycles
- Managed and mentored vendor QA teams of 15+, ensuring timely delivery of complex projects and enhancing automation capabilities
- Debugged and fixed automation failures with minimal supervision, maintaining high-quality test execution across regression cycles
- Collaborated with stakeholders including business users, developers, and global teams to understand functional requirements and develop effective test strategies
- Performed manual testing during regression and release pressure periods, maintaining quality standards under tight deadlines
- Commercial Banking (CCB) - Loans & CBUSOL
- Key Technologies: Java, Selenium, TestNG, Jenkins, JIRA, TFS, Confluence, SQL
Test Analyst - Automation Framework Developer
Citi
Pune
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: BCMA - Deal Management Suite (DMS)
- Designed and maintained automation frameworks for deal lifecycle applications, utilising in-house GTF framework, Selenium, and TestNG to enhance testing efficiency
- Developed API-based test cases and performed comprehensive testing including integration scenarios across multiple business systems
- Coordinated with global development teams on integrated test scenarios and defect triage to facilitate seamless system integration across platforms
- Managed project documentation, including test plans, execution reports, and compliance documentation in Confluence and JIRA, ensuring clarity and traceability
- BCMA - Deal Management Suite (DMS)
- Key Technologies: Java, Selenium, Eclipse, TestNG, GTF Framework, API Testing
Test Analyst - Database & Performance Testing Specialist
Citi
Pune
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Managed KYC workflow tool operations
- Performed comprehensive API and database testing, validating complex reports to ensure data integrity across KYC systems
- Developed SQL scripts for database validation and automated database-level test cases for regulatory compliance
- Led process improvement initiatives, collaborating with business stakeholders to establish quality gates in development processes, enhancing product reliability
- KYC Workflow Tool
- Key Technologies: SQL, Oracle, MySQL, Cross-browser Testing, API Testing
Test Architect - Mobile & Performance Testing
Barclays
Pune
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: BPay Mobile App (Contactless Payments)
- Architected testing strategy for mobile payment applications on iOS and Android, ensuring robust security and compliance
- Managed performance testing for high-security financial applications, including database testing with SQL and DB2, to ensure reliability under peak loads
- Led QA team and served as Scrum Master, facilitating Agile delivery and fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance project outcomes
- BPay Mobile App (Contactless Payments)
- Key Technologies: Mobile Testing, SQL, DB2, Performance Testing, Java
Test Lead & Automation Framework Developer
Barclays
Pune
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: BCA Mobile App
- Developed automation frameworks with Java and Eclipse IDE, enhancing mobile application testing across multiple devices
- Coordinated onshore-offshore collaboration with business stakeholders to prioritise release content and streamline delivery timelines
- Conducted impact analysis and database validation, ensuring system reliability and adherence to performance standards
- BCA Mobile App
- Key Technologies: Java, Eclipse, SeeTest, Mobile Automation, Database Testing
Education
Bachelor of Engineering -
Amravati University
01.2009
Skills
- Java
- Selenium WebDriver
- TestNG
- Cucumber BDD
- BDD/Cucumber
- Playwright
- REST API Testing
- RestAssured
- Performance Testing
- Performance Monitoring
- Database Testing
- SQL Scripting
- CI/CD integration
- Continuous Integration
- Jenkins
- GitHub Actions
- GitHub
- Custom Automation Framework
- End-to-End Automation
- Agile Testing Practices
- Shift-Left Testing
- JIRA
- Zephyr
- ALM
- Confluence
- TFS
- Postman
- Eclipse
- IntelliJ
- Oracle
- MySQL
- DB2
- Automation strategy
- Framework design
- Team Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Vendor Management
Accomplishments
- Increased automation efficiency by 30% through implementation of scalable automation frameworks (GTF and FAST).
- Achieved 85% test automation coverage across multiple BFSI applications integrated with CI/CD pipelines.
- Successfully managed QA strategy for high-profile banking applications during system mergers and digital transformation.
- Led automation framework development resulting in significant reduction in manual testing effort and faster release cycles.
- Managed cross-functional teams of 15+ QA professionals in automation tools and modern testing practices.
- Implemented shift-left testing practices resulting in early defect detection and reduced production issues.
Custom Section
Java, Selenium WebDriver, TestNG, Cucumber BDD, Playwright (Learning), Jenkins, GitHub, REST API Testing, RestAssured, LoadRunner-equivalent tools, Performance Testing, REST API Testing, Database Testing, SQL Scripting, Jenkins, CI/CD Pipeline Integration, Shift-Left Testing, Continuous Integration, GitHub Actions, BDD/Cucumber, TestNG, GTF Framework, FAST Framework, End-to-End Automation, JIRA (Zephyr), ALM, Confluence, TFS, Postman, Eclipse, IntelliJ, Oracle, MySQL, DB2, QA Automation Strategy, Framework Architecture, Team Management, Stakeholder Management, Vendor Management
Timeline
Senior Test Analyst (Acting Lead)
Citi
01.2020 - Current
Test Analyst - Automation Framework Developer
Citi
01.2018 - 01.2020
Test Analyst - Database & Performance Testing Specialist
Citi
01.2017 - 01.2018
Test Architect - Mobile & Performance Testing
Barclays
01.2015 - 01.2016
Test Lead & Automation Framework Developer
Barclays
01.2014 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Engineering -
Amravati University