Industries, from pharmaceutical to retail, depend on software to optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. As the complexity of software systems increases, so does the need for quality engineering professionals like Gopinath Kathiresan, senior quality manager at one of the world’s largest U.S.-based tech companies. Quality engineers ensure these systems function and excel in meeting technical demands, business objectives, and customer expectations. With a growing reliance on technology, the demand for skilled software quality engineers continues to rise, making them indispensable to modern enterprise success.
Skill, perseverance, and dedication are essential assets to forge a successful career in the competitive and fluid software quality engineering field. Kathiresan’s career in software quality engineering offers valuable insights for aspiring professionals. Starting in India during the 2008 financial crisis, he progressed through companies like Wipro, GE, and Bio-Rad before joining his current company, where he has been a senior quality engineering manager for more than 10 years.
As a new immigrant to the United States in 2010, Kathiresan’s journey highlights the importance of determination and adaptability in the tech industry. In this Q&A, Kathiresan shares his expertise and guidance for current and aspiring quality engineers, emphasizing career growth strategies he used to advance successfully from a junior-level quality engineer (QE) to managing a 50-person quality engineering team and overseeing end-to-end quality assurance process for applications used by millions of users around the world.
Q: What advice can you share for aspiring QEs entering the job market?
Kathiresan: One key strategy that helped me during the 2008 financial crisis and throughout my career is constantly upskilling and staying current with the latest QE technologies and methodologies. Today, that means becoming proficient in continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices and developing analytical skills in machine learning and large language models (LLMs) to leverage data and usage patterns to guide quality processes.
At the same time, I never focused solely on my work or diversifying my skill set. Even as a junior QE, I strived to understand the broader business context of my assignments to identify ways to contribute value beyond my core responsibilities. It’s important to always cultivate a resilient and adaptable mindset. Economic downturns are inevitable. Employees who remain positive and flexible are better equipped to withstand that challenge and continue being seen as valuable team members.
Q: How has the perception and importance of quality engineering evolved within the tech industry?
Kathiresan: Back in the 2000s, QE was often an afterthought. You’d see ratios like one QE to 20 software developers. Some companies didn’t even have dedicated QEs, and developers handled quality themselves. QE was undervalued and underfunded, which ultimately affected product success. Things are very different today. With big tech companies constantly releasing new products and product versions, quality is crucial for staying competitive. Emerging technologies like blockchain and the semantic web require more QE support, and consumers have less patience for poorly performing tech. Now, we see more companies integrating QE into the development process, with a corresponding increase in QE salaries and recognition.
Q: What are essential skills and competencies should aspiring QEs focus on developing?
Kathiresan: Effective QE is a mix of technical know-how and soft skills. On the technical side, it’s critical to develop competency in one or two programming languages—Python or Java are solid choices. Also, become proficient with automation tools like Selenium or JUnit. For soft skills, strengthen your resolve not to compromise on quality. Be like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings and say, “You shall not pass!” to any quality issues, even under deadline pressure. Clear communication is equally important, especially when explaining complex technical issues to non-technical people. Documentation skills are a must. It’s vital for QEs to clearly record findings to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. Lastly, cultivate adaptability and a passion for continuous learning. Our field evolves rapidly, so staying current is key.
Q: How do successful QEs balance continuous learning with the demands of their day-to-day responsibilities?
Kathiresan: This is a challenge but crucial to managing a career path. I always tried to integrate learning into my daily tasks. For example, I would experiment with new tools or technologies that could be helpful in my active projects. It is important to set aside some time dedicated to learning, however. Don’t be afraid to talk to managers about opportunities to upskill outside of the existing duties—it’s surprising how supportive they can be. Lastly, prioritize what you’re learning, as nobody can learn everything at once. Pick a couple of areas most relevant to your current role or future career goals and become an expert in those skills.
Q: What career trajectories are available to QEs beyond management roles?
Kathiresan: Junior QEs who don’t want to be managers have options. Becoming a technical or product subject matter expert can lead to high-level non-managerial roles like a quality architect or a key member of product development teams. Success in quality engineering can also position you for transitions into other departments. I’ve seen QEs move into DevOps roles or become business analysts.
Q: Can you share examples of how QEs can leverage problem-solving skills and attention to detail to drive impact?
Kathiresan: Always put yourself in the user’s shoes—don’t think like an engineer but rather as someone looking at the product for the first time. Dig deep into the analytical data to learn how different types of users engage with a specific feature and the takeaways to incorporate into the quality process. You may uncover valuable insights that others have missed. Also, seek opportunities to contribute beyond your immediate role. Use your analytical skills to provide innovative suggestions to other teams, and don’t hesitate to volunteer for leadership positions or cross-functional teams.
Q: How can the diverse perspectives of immigrant professionals contribute to innovation and problem-solving in quality engineering?
Kathiresan: Immigrants have a dual understanding of their home and U.S. markets, which is vital for developing globally relevant products. For example having lived in both India and the United States, I recognized that Indian users prefer calling support while Americans lean toward virtual chat. I have used this knowledge to help design more user-friendly quality assurance processes. Our blend of backgrounds enables fresh solutions that address varied user needs worldwide.
Expanding impact and opportunities for quality engineers
As organizations increasingly recognize the critical role of QEs in ensuring product success and user satisfaction, the field offers growing opportunities for innovative, high-impact work. Kathiresan’s career highlights how QEs can drive product excellence through continuous learning, adaptability, and a user-focused approach. For those with strong technical skills and a passion for improving user experiences, QE provides a rewarding path to influence technological progress on a global scale.
Be the first to comment