From India to Silicon Valley: How One Engineer Transformed Software Testing
As software becomes central to nearly every business, the need for reliable and high quality applications has never been greater. And that's where automation engineers like Abhishek Nimdia step in. With 18 years of industry experience, a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and a current role at Uline Inc. in the US, Abhishek has recently been named a Senior Member of the IEEE. We caught up with him to understand how his Indian education prepared him for global roles and what it really takes to thrive in the fast moving world of software testing.
Your background is in electronics. How did you find your way into software testing and automation?
To be honest, I never set out to become an automation expert! After college, I joined Infosys as a software developer, working mainly with SOAP services. While I was supposed to be building features, I realised I was more interested in finding what could break. My teammates often teased me, saying I tested code more than I wrote it.
Over time, I saw how my engineering mindset analytical, logical, and system focused gave me a different lens to approach software. A senior colleague once introduced me to automation, and everything clicked. It was the perfect mix of coding and quality. That's when I knew I'd found my niche.
You moved from development into testing quite early. How did that shape your growth?
That change happened early in my career, and looking back, I'm really glad it did especially when I moved to the US. Having a background in both development and testing gave me more room to explore and grow. I was able to write code while understanding the bigger picture of automation.
Over the years, I've worked on everything from analysing requirements to writing detailed test cases for web apps and improving existing frameworks. Eventually, I got to lead automation strategies for web and API testing. With tech evolving so fast, automation engineers have to keep learning constantly. It's become a habit for me. I'm currently pursuing certifications in DevSecOps and API Security Automation to stay on top of new trends.
You began your journey with Infosys, one of India's top IT companies. How did that shape you?
Infosys was a great place to start. I joined as a Java developer, and that's where I really learnt to write clean, structured code. But it wasn't just about coding the company culture taught us discipline, client communication, and the importance of delivering value.
One of the things I appreciated most was the focus on understanding the end user and business impact. That approach still guides me today. Whether I'm testing software or leading a project, I always try to think from the user's point of view.
Today, your focus is workflow automation. What drew you to this area?
I started working on QA automation around 2009. Since then, I've kept up with new tools and practices, which helped me build solid frameworks. At Uline, I began focusing more on workflow automation finding ways to simplify complicated processes across teams.
With the help of modern tools, I've been able to boost efficiency and connect automation directly to our CI/CD pipelines. That hands on work taught me a lot about DevOps too. I'm also working on ways to add security checks within these pipelines to guard against cyber threats. The goal is always to evolve with the tech and make sure software is fast, safe, and dependable.
How has software testing changed since you first started?
When I began, testing was something we did at the end if there was time! Now, it's part of the whole development cycle. One big shift has been the move to 'left shift' testing, where quality checks begin early and developers take more ownership.
Back then, setting up test environments used to take hours. Today, thanks to automation, we can spin them up in seconds. The tools may have changed, but the mission is still the same: ensure the product works and protect the user experience by catching problems early.
You've recently been named a Senior Member of IEEE. What has that community meant to you?
Being part of IEEE has been really valuable. It's given me access to a network of professionals from all kinds of industries, which helps me learn and stay open to different ideas. The Software Quality group, in particular, has been a great place to share knowledge that applies across sectors.
Becoming a Senior Member felt special it made me reflect on the journey from writing basic scripts to now leading full automation projects. I also want to give back, and mentoring younger engineers through IEEE is one way I'm doing that.
What would you say to young engineers in India who hope to build global careers?
Stay rooted in your technical foundations that's your superpower. Indian education builds strong problem solving skills, and those really stand out globally. But remember, tools and tech will keep evolving. What matters most is how quickly you can learn and adapt.
Also, don't underestimate the power of communication. For a long time, I thought being good at tech was enough. But being able to explain your ideas clearly can open so many doors. Stay curious, take on challenges outside your comfort zone, and don't wait to be perfect just be ready to grow.
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