QA Automation Engineer • SDET • PhD Candidate • Blogger

Hi, I'm Shahnawaz.
I help teams ship with confidence.

QA Automation Engineer and SDET with 10+ years in software, the last 5 focused on test automation and AI-driven quality engineering. I work with teams worldwide to build production-grade frameworks and ship software they can be proud of.

Available for Projects Remote Worldwide Hourly & Project-Based PhD Ongoing
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SK
Shahnawaz Khan
QA Automation Engineer • SDET
Blogger • PhD Candidate
10+
Years in Software
5+
Years in QA & Automation
1,200+
Newsletter Subscribers
3
Happy Clients
My Story

From developer to QA engineer to SDET — and why I started writing

My journey in software began in 2014 when I graduated with a Bachelor's degree and entered the industry as a developer. Over the next decade I worked across development and QA, discovering that the most impactful work I could do was at the intersection of the two — building systems that not only work, but that teams can trust.

After completing my Master's in 2018 and with an ongoing PhD, I focused the last 5 years on test automation and AI-driven QA engineering. I've built CI/CD-integrated frameworks with Playwright, Cypress, and PyTest for clients in Australia and worldwide.

I started QA Pulse because the QA community deserves honest, practitioner-written content — not theory, not fluff, but real patterns from someone who writes production tests every day. That's what I publish every week.

Journey Timeline
2026
Founded QA Pulse by SK
Launched editorial blog and newsletter for QA engineers and SDETs worldwide.
2024
Launched skakarh.com
Freelance QA practice — automation frameworks, AI-driven testing, web development for global clients.
2022
Full-stack SDET Role
Advanced to full-stack test automation: Playwright, Cypress, PyTest, CI/CD pipelines, performance testing.
2021
First Production Framework
Built first Selenium + Python automation framework. Reduced regression testing time by 70%.
2019
Moved into QA Engineering
Transitioned from development into QA — immediately fell in love with breaking software.
2018
Post Graduate Degree (Master's)
Completed Master's degree, deepening expertise in software engineering and systems.
2014
Bachelor's Degree + First Role
Graduated and entered the software industry as a developer. 10+ year journey begins.
Core Technical Skills
Playwright
95%
PyTest
92%
Cypress
88%
Selenium
90%
Python
88%
API Testing
90%
CI/CD & DevOps
85%
Performance Testing
80%
React & Frontend
75%
AI in Testing
82%
Tools & Technologies
Playwright Cypress Selenium PyTest Appium Postman Newman JMeter k6 Python JavaScript TypeScript React Docker Jenkins GitHub Actions AWS SQL Mabl Testim REST Assured Swagger
Education & Research
PhD — Ongoing
Doctoral Research
Advanced research in software engineering and intelligent test automation systems.
Master's — 2018
Post Graduate Degree
Advanced studies in software engineering, systems design and research methodology.
Bachelor's — 2014
Undergraduate Degree
Foundation in computer science, software development, and engineering principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with international clients?

Yes — I work remotely with clients worldwide. My current and past clients are based in Australia and the UK. I'm available across all time zones.

How do you charge for your work?

I offer both hourly and project-based pricing. We discuss your needs on a free discovery call and I provide a transparent custom quote within 24 hours.

How long does a typical project take?

Automation frameworks typically take 2–4 weeks. API testing setups are usually 1–2 weeks. I always provide a clear timeline upfront before starting.

Can I sponsor the QA Pulse newsletter?

Yes. If you have a product, tool, course, or service relevant to QA engineers and SDETs, reach out via the contact form below.

Do you offer consulting or code reviews?

Yes — I offer hourly consulting calls and full test suite audits with prioritised recommendations. Reach out to discuss your specific needs.

What makes QA Pulse different from other blogs?

Every article is written by a practising SDET who writes production tests daily. No theory, no fluff — real patterns, real tools, honest career advice.

Get in Touch

Let's build something great together

Have a project? A question about an article? Want to collaborate, consult, or sponsor the newsletter? Fill in the form — I reply to every message within 24 hours.

I reply to every message within 24 hours · No spam ever

Other Ways to Reach Me
Email
contact@skakarh.com
Alternate Email
info@skakarh.com
WhatsApp
Update Soon
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/skakarh
Twitter / X
@meskakarh
Book a Free Discovery Call
calendly.com/skakarh
Currently Available

Open to new freelance projects, consulting engagements, newsletter sponsorships, and collaboration opportunities. Average response time under 12 hours.