Introduction
Meet Ecaterina Zgherea, our brilliant Senior QA Engineer at The Unit. With over 7.5 years of QA testing expertise and a knack for problem-solving, Ecaterina brings a unique mix of technical prowess and a proactive, open-minded approach to every project she touches. From her early days in quality management systems to mastering Python, AI, and DevOps, her journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
What sets Ecaterina apart is her ability to dive deep into complex challenges while fostering seamless collaboration across teams. Whether she’s optimizing workflows, implementing innovative testing solutions, or lending her expertise to deliver high-quality software, she does it all with passion and precision.
In this “Meet the Team” edition, we uncover Ecaterina’s path to becoming a Senior QA Engineer, her thoughts on the future of QA in the AI era, and what she loves most about working at The Unit. Get ready to be inspired!
Please provide a short introduction to your background.
I have over 7.5 years of experience in QA testing, having worked with the international company Endava and now The Unit. Additionally, I bring 5 years of expertise in Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) and Audits (ISO 19011:2011) from two major local companies. My career has allowed me to develop a diverse skill set, encompassing roles as a QA Engineer, Business Process Analyst, and Auditor.
I am a proactive, diligent professional with a passion for Python, AI, and DevOps. My open-minded, business-oriented approach, problem-solving abilities, and team collaboration skills have been key drivers of my success. I am always eager to embrace new challenges.
Could you share your journey into QA and how it led to becoming a Senior QA Engineer?
My Journey into QA
Before transitioning to QA, I spent around 5 years working in quality management systems and conducting internal and external audits. My interest in IT was longstanding; I self-taught HTML/CSS, SQL, and database management. Reading Roman Savin’s book Dot Com Testing inspired me to pursue a career in QA, as I realized it combined my interests and offered opportunities for growth.
I began intensive studies in Manual and Automation Testing, programming (Java, JavaScript), and SQL databases using various online platforms. My efforts paid off when I secured a spot in an “Advanced Software Testing” course at the State University, followed by an internship at a large English IT company. This hands-on experience helped me transition to QA testing. Endava offered me my first role as a QA Tester, marking the beginning of my exciting journey.
My previous background in quality control provided a strong foundation for understanding testing methodologies and delivering high-quality results.
How I Became a Senior QA Engineer?
My passion for QA and commitment to excellence have been pivotal. I’ve consistently studied emerging tools and technologies to stay ahead in my field. Acting as the sole QA lead on projects, I’ve taken ownership of defining testing strategies, selecting tools, and organizing workflows—demonstrating my ability to lead.
My open and sociable nature also helps me excel in cross-functional collaboration. Communicating effectively with clients, developers, product owners, and project managers ensures smooth processes and successful outcomes. These combined skills and efforts have paved my way to becoming a Senior QA Engineer.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities or attributes that make a successful Head of QA, and how do you embody these traits in your role?
1. Strong Technical Skills: A Head of QA must have a deep understanding of software development methodologies, testing principles, and tools. Proficiency in component, integration, system, and performance testing is essential.
Example: In a recent project, I identified the need for cloud farms with real devices and simulators for mobile testing. After evaluating various platforms, I proposed a solution that improved cross-platform and cross-browser testing significantly.
Another instance involved a project designed for MacOS, but our team primarily used Windows. Leveraging my DevOps knowledge, I helped configure the project to run on Linux via WSL2, ensuring smooth development and testing.
2. Excellent Communication and Collaboration Skills: Clear communication and collaboration with all stakeholders are vital. This includes simplifying complex technical information and fostering teamwork.
Example: When a critical bug was identified late in the development cycle, I communicated its potential impact and mitigation strategies to all stakeholders. Through collaborative efforts with developers and product owners, we resolved the issue quickly and minimized delays.
3. Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to analyze systems, identify root causes of defects, and create solutions is crucial.
Example: In a high-pressure situation with tight deadlines, I prioritized tasks effectively, coordinated with developers, and distributed workloads among testers. This resulted in timely completion of all tasks without compromising quality.
How would you describe your overall experience at The Unit?
Working at The Unit has been an enriching international experience. The environment offers immense opportunities for self-development, growth, and taking initiative. The variety of projects allows me to make independent decisions and take responsibility for processes, broadening my horizons and skills.
The Unit’s flexible work culture—whether from home, a coworking space, or the Chisinau office—ensures comfort and productivity. Collaborating with positive, talented colleagues and attending engaging corporate events makes the experience even more fulfilling.
What do you enjoy most about collaborating with our development and QA teams, and how do you work together to deliver high-quality software releases?
I thrive on shared ownership, continuous learning, and collaborative problem-solving.
Shared Ownership: We follow Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban, participating in daily stand-ups, backlog refinements, sprint planning, and retrospectives. This collective approach ensures everyone feels responsible for delivering a high-quality product.
Continuous Learning: Working closely with developers fosters knowledge exchange and helps us refine our testing strategies and development practices.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: Challenges are addressed as a team. By brainstorming, analyzing root causes, and implementing fixes collaboratively, we achieve efficient resolutions. Utilizing CI/CD pipelines further streamlines build, test, and deployment processes, enabling rapid feedback and early issue detection.
These practices ensure we consistently deliver software that meets user expectations and exceeds standards.
How do you see the QA Engineer role evolving with rapid advancements in technology, such as AI? How do you plan to adapt to these changes?
- Continuously Learn: I’m exploring AI technologies and machine learning through online courses and research.
- Stay Informed: Keeping up with industry trends by reading publications, attending conferences, and networking.
- Embrace AI-Powered Tools: Leveraging AI for repetitive tasks, improved test coverage, and quicker problem resolution.
- Expand Skills: I’m honing my expertise in areas like DevOps, AI Engineering, and Prompt Engineering, which complement and enhance QA practices.
By staying agile and proactive, I aim to remain at the forefront of QA advancements.
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Through collaboration, innovation, and shared resources.
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