Nicusor D.-QA Automation Technical Lead
Check rate
Experience
Senior QA Automation Technical Lead
DOOR / Latch
Leading QA automation and technical strategy for smart lock and connected IoT device projects.
Responsibilities include test architecture, automation framework development, CI/CD ownership, and Hardware-in-the-Loop validation across embedded hardware and cloud-connected systems.
Key contributions:
Built and structured QA processes and teams supporting firmware, backend, and mobile validation
Developed automation framework using Python + Robot Framework, running smoke and regression suites on PR and nightly pipelines
Designed and implemented a complete Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environment enabling automated testing on real devices
Defined test strategies for AI/ML-enabled IoT sound detection products
Supported manufacturing test operations and production line quality improvements with global vendors
Co-Founder
LITRIGE
Founded LITRIGE, a QA and test automation consultancy delivering services for IoT and embedded products across multiple industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, energy monitoring, and mobile/web platforms.
Highlights:
Led a distributed QA organization of 15 engineers delivering full-cycle testing for advanced embedded and smart device products
Managed QA ownership for the Amazon Ring Indoor Drone IoT Project, covering firmware, backend, mobile, and ML components
Delivered complete QA execution: test plans, release validation, defect management, CI/CD automation
Built robust automation solutions supporting real hardware interaction (mobile-to-device E2E testing)
Acted as main client interface, responsible for delivery, scaling, and mentoring
Defect Manager
IBM
- Ensured the highest standards of quality and reliability for mission-critical EU-funded software and IT systems.
- Oversaw defect identification, tracking, and resolution across complex, multifaceted systems.
- Successfully implemented projects aligned with EU goals and objectives.
QA Technical Lead
Ness Digital Engineering
Led QA teams delivering automation and validation for smart home and energy IoT products, including heating systems, leak detection, and monitoring platforms.
Designed QA strategies and end-to-end test coverage for embedded devices
Developed reusable automation frameworks in Python/Robot Framework
Integrated continuous validation pipelines for firmware and backend components
Collaborated closely with hardware, embedded, and cloud engineering teams
Test Team Lead
AEM
- Managed the test team.
- Created project test plans, test strategies, and test results.
- Developed test specifications and test cases for electricity and gas smart meters based on industry standards, client specifications, and user manuals.
- Collaborated closely with the development team to clarify and improve requirements.
- Participated in technical meetings with clients to resolve misunderstandings about product specifications.
- Developed and improved the test bench and its configuration.
- Developed Python libraries for the Robot Framework testing framework for department projects.
- Performed functional and non-functional tests for RF and GPRS gas smart meter projects for the Italian market according to UNI-TS 11291 and DLMS Books.
- Performed functional and non-functional tests for single-phase and three-phase electricity meters for the international market.
- Used Robot Framework as the test automation environment.
- Used various internally developed tools to configure and communicate with DUT.
Software Test Engineer
Yazaki Component Technology
Lead Software Test Engineer
AEM S.A.
- Managed the test team.
- Created project test plans, test strategies, and test results.
- Developed test specifications and test cases for electricity and gas smart meters based on industry standards, client specifications, and user manuals.
- Worked closely with the development team to clarify and improve requirements.
- Took part in technical meetings with clients to address misunderstandings in product specifications.
- Developed and improved the test bench and its configuration.
- Developed Python libraries for the Robot Framework testing framework for department projects.
- Performed functional and non-functional tests for RF and GPRS gas smart meter projects for the Italian market according to UNI-TS 11291 and DLMS Books.
- Performed functional and non-functional tests for single-phase and three-phase electricity meters for the international market.
Software Validation Engineer
Yazaki Component Technology
Embedded Software Laboratory
Continental Automotive Romania SRL
Summer-School SAP
Politehnica University of Timisoara
- Learned the basics of the SAP platform, focusing on ABAP programming.
- Introduction to ABAP programming.
- Internal tables.
- Simulation write.
- Web Dynpro ABAP.
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Automotive, Information Technology, Energy, Utilities, and Manufacturing.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Product Development, Operations, Production, and Project Management.
Summary
Senior QA Automation Technical Lead with 12+ years of experience delivering end-to-end quality solutions for IoT, embedded systems, and smart connected devices.
Specialized in building scalable Python & Robot Framework automation frameworks, integrating test execution into modern CI/CD pipelines, and validating complex products across firmware, backend, mobile applications, and real hardware environments.
Strong track record in leading and growing QA organizations (up to 15 engineers), designing complete QA strategies from scratch, and supporting cross-functional teams from R&D to manufacturing.
Experienced across industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, smart energy monitoring, and home security IoT, including projects for high-profile clients such as Amazon Ring.
Key expertise includes:
IoT & Embedded QA (Matter, Zigbee, RF systems)
Test Automation Architecture (Python, Robot Framework)
CI/CD & Continuous Validation (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Test Environments
QA Team Leadership & Delivery Management
Manufacturing & Production Test Support
Skills
- Defect Management
- Quality Assurance
- Project Management
Languages
Education
Politehnica University of Timisoara
Master · Automatics and Computer Engineering · Timișoara, Romania
Universitatea „Politehnica” din Timișoara
Bachelor · Automatics and Computer Engineering · Timișoara, Romania
School Group „Dimitrie Filisanu”
High School · Mathematics and Informatics · Filiași, Romania
Certifications & licenses
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Nicusor speaks the following languages: Romanian (Native), English (Advanced).
Nicusor has at least 15 years of experience. During this time, Nicusor has worked in at least 10 different roles and for 9 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 6 months. Note that Nicusor may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Nicusor would be well-suited for roles such as: Senior QA Automation Technical Lead, Co-Founder, Defect Manager.
Nicusor's most recent position is Senior QA Automation Technical Lead at DOOR / Latch.
In recent years, Nicusor has worked for DOOR / Latch, LITRIGE, IBM, and Ness Digital Engineering.
Nicusor is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Information Technology, and Energy. Nicusor also has some experience in Utilities, Manufacturing, and Education.
Nicusor is most experienced in business areas like Quality Assurance, Information Technology, and Product Development. Nicusor also has some experience in Operations, Production, and Project Management.
Nicusor has recently worked in industries like Information Technology, Energy, and Automotive.
Nicusor has recently worked in business areas like Quality Assurance, Information Technology, and Product Development.
Nicusor holds a Master in Automatics and Computer Engineering from Politehnica University of Timisoara and a Bachelor in Automatics and Computer Engineering from Universitatea „Politehnica” din Timișoara.
Nicusor has 1 certificate: Istqb Foundation Level.
Nicusor is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
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