Aaron Williams
TypeScript, JavaScript, Node, JSX, MDX, HTML, CSS, GraphQL
Cypress, Webdriverio, K6, Gatling, Postman, Next.js, Tailwind, Sass
Browserstack, AWS, Jira, Figma, VSCode, PostgreSQL, Codex, Office 365, Affinity
Senior QE at Abcam
December 2023 - Present
Led performance, frontend and API testing for the China and Japan ecommerce website expansion.
- Audited API test coverage reviews and backfilled missing tests
- Reworked API tests to use dynamic data instead of static fixtures
- Implemented Cypress solution for a new AEM hosted website
- Collaborated cross team efforts multipipeline standards
- Supported the product owner with agile practice philosophy
- Partnered with UX lead to improve user experience on mobile
Tech Stack:
- Cypress for testing the Next.js frontend
- GraphQL API testing with a MongoDB backend
- BrowserStack for cross-browser testing
- Performance testing with K6
- GitLab CI for merge requests and test pipelines
- Copilot for assisted test writing and refactoring
Personal Blog Project awilliams.me
October 2025 - Present
Designed and built a fully bespoke blog from scratch as a greenfield personal project. The site is currently live and will be open-sourced once all features are developed.
Tech Stack:
- Built with Next.js and MDX for statically cached dynamic pages
- PostgreSQL with Prisma for database client and schema migrations
- MDX for post page content
- Designed responsive pages and themes in Figma
- Unit testing components in Jest with test coverage threshold
- Cypress for E2E with axe and visual regression extensions
- Automatic vulnerability scanning with Audit CI
- Lighthouse for SEO and page performance scores
- Codex AI for code reviews and refactoring
Previous Experience
Senior QA Engineer at Acin
June 2022 - December 2023
Brought in as the first QA engineer to design and implement a greenfield automation test strategy for a React/GraphQL platform.
Tech Stack:
- Implemented the Cypress test suite and CI pipelines in Azure Devops
- Implemented GraphQL API testing pipeline using Supertest API
- Introduced Gatling for performance & load testing
- Used Burp Suite for exploratory based security testing
Test Engineer at Sainsbury's
January 2020 - April 2022
Led the QA frontend and backend strategy within a cross-team setup for a React-based supplier portal.
Tech Stack:
- Migrated an outdated existing webdriverio to a modern Cypress solution
- Utilised existing Browserstack licence to run E2E tests in parallel
- Added Percy snapshot tests for visual regression
- Extended Cypress tests to use Axe plugin for accessibility automation
- Wrote unit tests with React Testing Library
- Worked with third party QA team to implement Pact contract testing
QA and Continuous Delivery Consultant at ECS Digital
November 2018 - January 2020
Consulted across various ECS Digital clients to implement modern automation frameworks to vastly improve quality testing and release processes.
Barclays - Cloud Transformation Project:
- Testing a custom AWS provisioning service using Boto3 and Behave
- Major refactor of existing test suite to reduce bottlenecked test pipelines
- Reworked test pipeline to use Jenkins DSL
News UK - React Dashboard Project:
As part of a visit to the Bangalore office I completed the following.
- Reviewed existing team’s manual testing approach and created automation strategy
- Introduced Jest unit testing to the developers
- Introduced Cypress for E2E testing to the QA testers
- Ran workshops with the full team on overall testing philosophy
Web Services Tester at Capita Employee Benefits
August 2016 - July 2018
Tested and supported Java Spring Boot microservices in fast-passed scrum team.
Tech Stack:
- Created new API regression solution using RestAssured
- Created a visual regression testing solution using Applitools and helped all other teams implement
- Implemented Selenium flows for post release smoke testing
- Collaborated with backend developers on integration testing coverage
- Worked closely with QA Practice Lead to shape longterm QA philosophy
Test Lead at Austin Reed Group
January 2014 - May 2016
Led QA during a complex ecommerce replatform, owning testing strategy for web and stock management systems.
Tech Stack:
- Built and maintained Selenium WebDriver test framework in Java for end-to-end coverage
- Defined test plans high-traffic user flows
- Introduced agile testing practices to a waterfall setup
- Served as in-house expert on the WebSphere ecommerce platform
QA Tester at Debenhams
May 2010 - March 2013
Delivered regression testing across multiple systems from high traffic ecommerce websites to POC terminals used in the flagship store.
Tech Stack:
- Tested order management (Yantra) systems, POS terminals, and WebSphere ecommerce websites
- Supported multiple projects across development and UAT phases
- Known as the "go-to" QA for troubleshooting, system queries, and cross-team support
- Developed reputation for consistent delivery under pressure in a fast-passed environment