Michael Roeder
Software QA Engineer
Contact Information
Dear Sir or Madam,My extensive background in commercial software development and quality assurance makes me the ideal candidate for a leadership position in your company’s software quality assurance effort. Here is a list of job requirements for software quality assurance engineers and how I fulfill them.
QA Skills
Experience with testing consumer shrink-wrapped applications, with a focus on multimedia applications
I was a developer on two shipping titles: Decisioneering Crystal Ball 3.0, Odyssey Development ISYS 3.0.
I was QA Engineer on these titles: Macromedia Shockwave 5, 6, 7 and Director 6.5, 7, 8; Apple Backup 1.2, and iDVD 3.0.Knowledge of software development life cycle and QA Planning
I have followed several products, both internal and commercial, through development cycles from planning through shipping and postpartum analysis.Work with development groups to understand product implementation and understand computer software at the power user level.
Decisioneering’s Crystal Ball, Odyssey Development’s ISYS, and Macromedia’s Director are inherently applications suited for the power user. As developer and QA engineer, I discussed feature requirements with users and helped to drive product development.
Expertise writing product specifications, test plans and test cases
I assisted in the product planning and feature specification and helped write the specification, test plans, and test cases for the Sprite Rotation and Alpha-Channel (Transparency) features for Macromedia Director 7.0.
I rewrote the performance testing plan for Macromedia Director, introducing an emphasis on repeatable numerical results.
I wrote the test plans and test cases for the components of an embedded Linux system at A Cool CS Co.Develop internationalization test plans and test cases.
For Decisioneering’s Crystal Ball I wrote the Mac and Windows internationalization scheme; localizers complimented the system as being the easiest they ever had to work with.
For Macromedia Director and Shockwave, and Apple iDVD I assisted in the German localization testing.
Knowledge of web testing
While at Macromedia, I worked extensively with Shockwave. I maintain a few web sites and apply my QA skills and perfectionism to them.Write test plans for peripherals and devices.
At Veridicom I was involved in testing fingerprint sensors and their associated software; at Apple I tested Backup and iDVD with external CD burners. As a hobbyist I like to revive old PCs by installing Linux on them, which involves ferreting out all sorts of hardware issues.Experience with automated software testing tools
At Macromedia we created an automated testing engine using Director’s scripting language.
At A Cool CS Co. I was exposed to ETET.Excellent problem detection skills and attention to detail
My long-term success as a developer and QA engineer rests on my methodical approach to planning and implementation. On Apple iDVD I had one of the highest rates of bugs classified as P1 or P2.File reports using defect tracking software applications.
I’ve used everything from primitive systems consisting of e-mails and lists on paper to highly evolved systems such as Macromedia Director’s custom system, Apple’s Radar, and Bugzilla.Write detailed and concise bug reports.
I rarely have engineers come back to me for more information about bugs.
I wrote the QA Engineer’s manual for Macromedia Shockwave 5 and 6.Applications and Operating Systems
Experience with a wide variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and text editing software
I use applications such as Word, Excel, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Eudora, and a host of utilities in my day-to-day work as well as in maintaining my extensive personal web site.
Experience with music/multimedia applications and interactive authoring tools.
I used Visual Basic as the front-end applications at Odyssey Development and A Cool CS Co.
As a QA engineer on Director, Shockwave, and iDVD, I used a variety of image, sound and video editing applications to generate test cases and user scenarios.Strong knowledge of browser functionality and web based applications
My work at Macromedia testing Director and Shockwave, at Niteo Partners, and at HandHeld Entertainment on different types of web browsers gives me the kind of experience that will enable me to get right to work without a lot of startup.Cross-Platform Development and Testing
I have developed and done QA on a cross-platform applications such as Decisioneering Crystal Ball and Macromedia Director and Shockwave.Windows 95, 98, NT, XP, 2000, 2003
I've been using Windows since 1992, and have used all of the versions in my work.Mac OS X
I’ve been using the Mac since 1987. I used Mac OS X exclusively while testing Apple Backup and iDVD.UNIX, BSD, Linux
I set up a Linux server and workstation for my own use, and built a Beowulf cluster for research.
Languages and Tools
Experience with secure systems
Through my work at Veridicom and A Cool CS Co., I gained experience with secure systems which I put into practice at HandHeld Entertainment. I maintain my own firewall, which runs on OpenBSD, and understand and use such applications as ssh and scp.Familiarity with UNIX shell scripting and tools such as CVS.
At Veridicom and A Cool CS Co. we used CVS.
I used UNIX shell scripting to build and use my Beowulf cluster.
At Macromedia we automated much of the playback engine testing by writing automated scripts in Lingo, Director’s scripting language.
At HandHeld Entertainment I used Linux to host the bugbase.Understanding of object oriented programming concepts
I have experience with C++ and Objective C and am learning Java during my spare time.
Communication and Work Skills
Strong communication skills
Communicating with others on my team and in the larger company has always been a major part of my work. I’ve always felt that what I do is worth more if I can communicate my results to my colleagues. I have the ability to delve down to the basic principles at work in any system and make them clear to those around me.Ability to write effective documents and reports
Writing clearly and succinctly is natural for me. This ability has enabled me to write clear specifications, user documentation, and bug reports. Wherever I go, I tend to contribute to documentation, both in setting up standards and in nuts-and-bolts writing of specifications, bug reports, test results, and product documentation.
Native language proficiency in German
I’m first-generation German and learned the language from my parents. I completed third-year college courses in German Conversation and Composition, and Literature. I have a Göthe Institute Certificate of German as Foreign Language.Ability to master new programs quickly
At Apple Computer I worked on Backup and iDVD. I received praise for quickly becoming knowledgeable and productive.Strong analytical skills
I can quickly grasp the underlying principles of a system and apply that knowledge to determine likely causes for problems.The ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment
All modern software development is in the context of a team effort. All of my professional work has been in the context of contributing to a team working on a larger goal that I alone could not accomplish.Able to work independently and meet deadlines
Given clear direction and expectations, set me to work on a project, and I’ll get it done.
Uncompromising commitment to creating great products and having fun while doing so.
I enjoyed my work at Macromedia partly because I was able to build silly Director titles and find bugs with them.Education
Coursework in Computer Science
I am a year short of a degree in Computer Science and have acquired more than fourteen years of real-world experience since then.Availability
I can bein work two weeks after accepting an offer of employment. To contact me, please send me e-mail.
With my experience as a software developer, my abilities as a quality assurance engineer, and my additional skills, I am an excellent choice to lead your quality assurance team. Please review my resume.