Serene Baadjies

Software Test Analyst with 7 years' experience, including 3 in a senior capacity. Skilled in API testing, vulnerability validation, incident analysis, automation, and security-focused QA. Adept at bridging technical and business teams, translating complex issues into actionable outcomes.

Committed to quality, risk management, and secure, reliable systems. Recognized for proactive problem-solving, analytical thinking, and adaptability in fast-paced environments. Passionate about continuous learning in cybersecurity, vulnerability management, IAM, and automation-driven quality engineering.

Senior Software Test Analyst - Achievement Awards Group

(2019-01)

Senior Software Test Analyst: 7 years' experience, 4 in senior capacity

• Cybersecurity Foundations: Hands-on vulnerability testing (SQL/No-SQL injection, XSS payloads, race conditions, authentication flaws). Experience running scans in PenTestTools.com and documenting/reporting vulnerabilities.
• Incident Response & Analysis: Skilled in interpreting logs, identifying suspicious activity, and escalating issues. Strong analytical mindset with proven problem-solving ability.
• Security Operations Alignment: Entry-level exposure to SIEM and endpoint protection tools; fast learner with demonstrated adaptability in adopting new technologies.
• Networking & Systems Knowledge: Basic understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, and firewalls; proficient in SQL/PostgreSQL for data analysis and validation.
• Automation & Tools: Proficient in Robot Framework, Postman, SOAPUI, Jira, Git/BitBucket; entry-level Playwright and Newman automation; CI/CD process interest.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experienced in stakeholder engagement, reporting vulnerabilities, and translating technical findings into business terms.
• Continuous Learning: Actively pursuing ISTQB Security Tester qualification and ICS² certification; attended Threat Hunter Summits; daily engagement with AI tools for productivity and guidance.
• Developing, executing, and managing software testing plans, automated scripts, testing programs, and procedures in line with company strategies and policies.
• Planning and designing test plans, timelines, and resource requirements, while liaising with internal stakeholders.
• Managing and monitoring testing procedures to improve efficiency and quality.
• Developing and documenting software quality assurance procedures, including regression testing requirements.
• Testing emerging technologies and internal tools, and providing specialist expertise in programming languages, systems, and computational software.
• Designing and executing test plans aligned with system performance, scalability, and security requirements.
• Conducting vulnerability testing, including SQL/No-SQL injection, XSS payloads, race conditions, and authentication flaws.
• Writing SQL queries to retrieve, update, and insert data in databases.
• Analyzing application and system logs to identify anomalies, troubleshoot issues, and support incident response.
• Investigating anomalies in test environments, documenting findings, and escalating issues to engineering/security teams.
• Identifying opportunities to automate and streamline QA processes, collaborating with engineering teams to deliver improvements.
• Continuously improving test architecture methodologies to enhance design, performance, scalability, and security.
• Supporting incident containment by identifying and reporting risks during testing phases.
• Tracking, influencing, and escalating factors that may affect software development.
• Providing input and reviewing test results to ensure functionality and continuous improvement.
• Using systematic approaches to design, apply, and maintain quality standards.
• Recommending technical solutions for issues found during testing.
• Developing standard operating procedures and work instructions for testing operations.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with best practices and security standards