Tapas Kumar Patra
Senior Automation Engineer | Backend Developer
Software Engineer with 4 years of experience specializing in backend development and test automation architecture for Ford's automotive platforms. Developed 6+ production tools using Python, FastAPI, Django, and PySide that reduced manual testing efforts by 60% across 15+ engineering teams. Expert in building AI-powered applications, REST APIs, and scalable automation frameworks. Recognized with 19 performance awards for technical innovation and engineering excellence.
About Me
I'm a Software Engineer with 4 years of experience specializing in backend development and test automation architecture for Ford's automotive platforms. Recently promoted to Senior Automation Engineer in December 2025, I've been driving engineering excellence since joining Wipro Technologies in October 2021.
My expertise spans across backend development using FastAPI, Django, and REST APIs, along with building production-grade automation frameworks using Python, Selenium, and Appium. I've developed 6+ production tools that serve 15+ engineering teams, reducing manual testing efforts by 60% and improving test coverage by 35%.
I'm passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI/ML (RAG, Mistral AI, Vector Embeddings), real-time WebSocket systems, and desktop applications using PySide2/PySide6. My work in the automotive domain includes extensive experience with Android Automotive OS, QNX, CAN Protocol, AUTOSAR, and ECU Testing.
Beyond technical contributions, I've led cross-functional teams of 16-20 engineers, mentored 6 junior developers, and authored 1000+ automated test scripts. My impact has been recognized through 19 performance awards and two consecutive 5/5 Outstanding Performance Ratings for exceptional contributions to automation and backend tool development.
Currently completing my M.Tech in Software Systems from BITS Pilani through the Work Integrated Learning Program while continuing to drive innovation in Agile environments.
My Skills
Programming Languages
- Python 3.7, 3.9 (Advanced)
- JavaScript (ES6+)
- SQL
- Shell Scripting
Backend Development
- FastAPI
- Django
- REST API Development
- WebSockets (Real-time)
Databases & Storage
- PostgreSQL
- Redis (Caching)
- Supabase
- Vector Databases
AI & Machine Learning
- RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)
- Mistral AI Integration
- Semantic Search
- Vector Embeddings
Test Automation
- Selenium 3.x
- Appium
- Pytest
- Slash Framework
- Data-Driven Testing (DDT)
Desktop & Web UI
- PySide2 / PySide6
- HTML5 / CSS3
- JavaScript
- Responsive Design
Automotive Technologies
- Android Automotive OS
- QNX Platform
- CAN Protocol
- AUTOSAR & ECU Testing
System Design & DSA
- System Architecture Design
- Data Structures
- Algorithm Optimization
- Scalable System Design
Development Tools
- Git (Version Control)
- Jira & TestRail
- YAML / JSON
- Agile / Scrum
Testing Methodologies
- STLC & Defect Life Cycle
- Functional Testing
- Regression Testing
- Integration Testing
- Test Case Optimization
Work Experience
Senior Automation Engineer
Wipro Technologies (Ford Account)
Promoted to Senior Engineer for exceptional contributions to automation architecture and backend tool development.
Automation Engineer
Wipro Technologies (Ford Account)
Automation Framework Engineering:
- Architected end-to-end Python automation framework from scratch for Android Automotive infotainment systems, achieving 60% reduction in manual testing and 35% improvement in test coverage across 6 modules
- Authored 1000+ automated test scripts using Selenium, Appium, and Slash Framework with Data-Driven Testing (DDT) using YAML configurations
- Engineered UI-Autogen (PySide6 desktop tool) that auto-generates 300-500 UI properties and unit tests across 15-20 modules, accelerating automation bootstrapping by 40%
- Led code quality as module owner, conducting peer reviews for 50+ scripts monthly
Backend & Full-Stack Tool Development:
- Delivered TestRail Insight: Django web app with REST API and PostgreSQL backend aggregating 8,000+ test runs, enabling real-time quality dashboards
- Built RTM Helper Tool (PySide2) automating backward traceability for 6,000+ test cases, eliminating 100% manual RTM effort
- Implemented Rail-Bridge: Python migration utility transferring 4,000-5,000 test cases between TestRail instances
- Launched Test-Crafter: Bulk creation tool saving QA teams 1-2 hours daily
Technical Leadership & Collaboration:
- Led cross-functional teams of 16-20 engineers during team lead absences, managing sprint planning and release deliverables for Android Automotive and QNX-based SYNC 4 platforms
- Mentored 6 junior engineers through structured knowledge transfer sessions
- Managed end-to-end Defect Life Cycle tracking 200+ defects per quarter in Jira
Recognition:
- 19 Performance Awards (2021-2025): Rookie Rockstar – Campus, Extraordinaire, Inspiring Performance, Victory League, Beyond the Call of Duty, and others
- Two consecutive 5/5 Outstanding Performance Ratings
Awards & Recognition
Rookie Rockstar – Campus
Recognized for exceptional technical expertise and problem-solving impact in multi-dependent radio automation.
Extraordinaire Award
Recognized for exceptional contributions to automation framework development and technical innovation
Inspiring Performance
Acknowledged for outstanding performance in backend tool development and team collaboration
Victory League
Honored for leading successful project deliveries and achieving key milestones
Beyond the Call of Duty
Recognized for going above and beyond in solving critical technical challenges
Habit Flagbearer - Demonstrating Stewardship
Awarded for exemplary leadership and mentoring contributions
Habit Flagbearer - Being Responsive
Recognized for exceptional responsiveness in addressing team needs, promptly resolving queries, and demonstrating agility in adapting to changing project requirements
Habit Flagbearer - Always Communicating
Awarded for maintaining transparent and proactive communication across teams, consistently sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration through clear stakeholder engagement
19 Performance Awards received during 2021-2025 for exceptional contributions in automation, backend development, and technical leadership.
Two consecutive 5/5 Outstanding Performance Ratings
Education
My Projects
UI-Auto-gen
A PySide6 desktop tool that parses Android XML layouts to automatically generate 300-500 UI properties and unit tests across 15-20 modules, increasing UI automation efficiency by 40% and accelerating automation bootstrapping across teams.
RTM Helper Tool
A PySide2 desktop application that automates backward traceability by linking 6,000+ test cases to Jira requirements across 12 modules, eliminating 100% of manual Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) effort and ensuring complete audit coverage.
Rail-Bridge
A Python migration utility that transferred 4,000-5,000 test cases between TestRail server instances, resolving server configuration incompatibilities during project transitions and facilitating seamless migrations.
Test-crafter
A productivity tool that reduces administrative overhead by enabling the bulk creation of test runs, plans, and milestones across multiple TestRail projects, streamlining the test management process and saving QA teams 1-2 hours daily.
TestRail Insight
A Django web application with REST API and PostgreSQL backend that aggregates 8,000+ test runs (bypassing TestRail's 100-run limit), enabling real-time quality dashboards and advanced analytics for stakeholder decision-making.
My Resume
Download My Resume
Get a comprehensive overview of my professional experience, technical skills, education, and achievements. My resume includes detailed information about my automation engineering expertise, backend development skills, project contributions, and career progression since 2021.
The resume covers:
- Professional experience at Wipro Technologies (Ford Account)
- Recent promotion to Senior Automation Engineer
- Educational background including ongoing M.Tech from BITS Pilani
- Backend development expertise (FastAPI, Django, REST APIs)
- AI/ML skills (RAG, Mistral AI, Vector Embeddings)
- Automotive technologies (Android Automotive OS, QNX, CAN Protocol)
- 6+ production tools developed
- 19 performance awards and quantified impact metrics
Get In Touch
The Contact Form That Could've Been
*Imagine a beautiful contact form here*
*With smooth animations and real-time validation*
*Maybe even a fancy captcha*
*Progressive enhancement, accessibility compliant*
*The works.*
Well, I CAN build it. But here's the thing:
I'll finally have the budget to add:
- ✅ Secure backend with proper authentication
- ✅ Real-time notifications (WebSockets, baby!)
- ✅ Maybe even a chatbot (I've been wanting to try that)
- ✅ All the enterprise-grade bells and whistles
🤝 Until then, let's keep it simple like it's 1999: