
Irene Njuguna
Software QA Engineer | Web & Mobile Testing | Play
Salary / Daily rate
Nairobi County, Kenya
Freelance, open to permanent contract
Skills
About me
Intro
I’m a Software Engineer who discovered that I really enjoy breaking software — in the best possible way. What started with building web and mobile applications grew into a strong interest in testing, debugging, edge cases, and understanding why software fails. Today, I focus on Quality Assurance across web, mobile, APIs, and test automation using Playwright, TypeScript, Postman, and Newman. My development background in JavaScript, TypeScript, React, and React Native helps me go beyond surface-level testing, investigate defects more deeply, understand application behavior, and collaborate effectively with developers. I’m especially interested in building reliable automation, improving test coverage, validating critical user journeys, and helping teams release software with greater confidence. I’m currently open to opportunities as a QA Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, and SDET.
Work experience
GoChapaaBlockchain Services
May 2024 - May 2026
2 years 1 month
Remote, OR 97458, USA
Software Engineer in Test
Jan 2026 - May 2026
5 months
Remote, OR 97458, USA
• Focused on software quality, test automation, defect prevention, and release validation across web and mobile applications. • Designed and executed functional, regression, smoke, exploratory, UI, integration, and end-to-end test scenarios. • Tested fintech and Web3 workflows including authentication, payments, transactions, API integrations, form validation, and error handling. • Reviewed requirements and user stories to identify risks, edge cases, ambiguities, and test scenarios before release. • Created and maintained test cases, checklists, and Requirements Traceability Matrices to improve test coverage. • Validated REST APIs using Postman, including status codes, payloads, authentication, error responses, and negative scenarios. • Used browser DevTools, logs, API responses, and network requests to investigate defects across frontend, backend, and integration layers. • Documented defects with clear reproduction steps, expected vs actual results, severity, screenshots, and supporting evidence. • Collaborated with developers to reproduce issues, validate fixes, and perform regression testing. • Performed release validation and post-deployment checks on critical customer journeys. • Tested applications across browsers, devices, and screen sizes for compatibility, responsiveness, and usability. • Supported defect triage by prioritizing issues based on severity, customer impact, and business risk. • Participated in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, stand-ups, refinement, and release discussions. • Applied my software engineering background to investigate issues beyond the UI and improve overall release quality.
Software Engineer
May 2024 - Dec 2025
1 year 8 months
Hybrid
helped me get this job
Software Engineer
Paya FinanceFinancial Services
Mar 2024 - May 2024
3 months
Remote, OR 97458, USA
• Developed and maintained a React Native fintech application, focusing on responsive UI, performance, usability, and reliable user journeys. • Built reusable frontend components and implemented features using JavaScript/TypeScript and React Native. • Integrated and tested payment APIs including M-Pesa, Paystack, and Pngme, validating requests, responses, authentication, errors, and transaction flows. • Tested loan application journeys, payment interactions, forms, validation, navigation, and responsive interfaces across devices. • Used API responses, application logs, Postman, and debugging tools to investigate frontend and integration issues. • Identified and resolved UI, functional, and API-related defects before release. • Collaborated with backend engineers and UI/UX designers to translate requirements into reliable customer-facing features. • Worked with stakeholders, including DTB Bank, to understand requirements, clarify expected behaviour, and support feature delivery. • Automated frontend deployment workflows using GitHub Actions, improving release consistency and reliability. • Participated in Agile development activities including planning, testing, debugging, code reviews, and release validation.
myNGOVOFinancial Services
Dec 2023 - Mar 2024
4 months
Nairobi, Kenya
Junior Software Engineer
Jan 2024 - Mar 2024
3 months
Nairobi, Kenya
helped me get this job
Software Engineer Intern
Dec 2023 - Dec 2023
1 month
Led the end-to-end development of a web application, from initial concept and UI design to development, deployment, and troubleshooting. Built responsive, user-friendly interfaces ensuring cross-browser compatibility and smooth performance across devices. Deployed and configured the application using cPanel, ensuring stable, secure hosting and efficient server management. Took ownership of both frontend and backend tasks, demonstrating adaptability and a strong full-stack understanding. Applied Kanban methodology to plan, prioritize, and deliver features under tight timelines. Collaborated directly with stakeholders to align technical decisions with user and business requirements. Delivered a fully functional MVP within the project deadline, contributing to the company’s core objectives.
Software Engineer Intern
HNG TechEducation
Sep 2023 - Dec 2023
4 months
Built and styled responsive web interfaces using React, Tailwind CSS, and modern frontend development practices. Collaborated within an agile, globally distributed team, using GitHub for version control and Slack for daily communication. Participated in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, code reviews, and task breakdown, ensuring steady progress and high-quality output. Contributed to team projects by improving UI functionality, usability, and cross-device compatibility, enhancing overall user experience.
Career transition
Career break
Apr 2022 - Aug 2023
1 year 5 months
Nairobi, Kenya
After earning my degree in Fashion Design and Marketing, I made a deliberate career shift into technology, driven by a growing interest in how digital products are built and how they solve real-world problems. I enrolled in Moringa School’s Full-Stack Software Engineering program, where I built a strong foundation in JavaScript, React, APIs, backend development, Git, and modern software development practices. Since then, I’ve grown from building web and mobile applications into developing a deeper interest in software quality, testing, and automation. My journey reflects my curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to continuously learn — qualities that now shape how I approach both software engineering and QA.
Education
Kiwami Tech
Professional Certificate, Full Stack QA Engineering
2026 - 2027
1 year
Currently pursuing a Full Stack QA Engineering program focused on software quality, manual testing, test automation, API testing, and modern QA practices. Hands-on learning includes test case design, defect reporting, API testing, automation frameworks, programming for QA, and software testing methodologies. Building practical projects while developing skills toward QA Automation Engineer/SDET roles.
Moringa School
Certificate In Software Engineering
2022 - 2022
8 months
Grade: Merit
I gained a variety of technical and soft skills. These would include proficiency in programming languages, familiarity with web development frameworks, knowledge of web development concepts, problem-solving abilities, collaboration and communication skills, project management skills, and creativity. Overall, pursuing software development at Moringa School provided me with a strong foundation in web development and equipped me with the skills required to work on web development projects.
Machakos University
Bachelor Of Science Fashion Design And Marketing, Fashion Design and Marketing
2017 - 2022
4 years 9 months
Grade: 2nd class Honors
Pursuing fashion design and marketing at Machakos University equipped me with a range of skills that are essential. These include creativity, technical skills, knowledge of fashion design, Graphic Designing, marketing and branding skills, communication and presentation skills, and project management skills. I learned how to use different software and tools to design, develop and execute marketing campaigns, and build brand identity. Additionally, I developed excellent communication skills and gained experience in managing project timelines and delivering work on time.
Moringa School
Full-Stack Software Engineering Bootcamp
Completed an intensive full-stack software engineering program covering frontend and backend development. Built applications using ReactJS, Ruby, RESTful APIs, Git/GitHub, Linux command-line tools, SDLC, and Agile workflows.
Licenses & certifications
Program in Artificial Intelligence
Issued: Dec 2025
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Issued: Sep 2025
AWS re/Start Graduate
Issued: Apr 2025
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 Certified Foundations Associate
Issued: May 2024
React Learning Program
Issued: Oct 2023
TypeScript in a nutshell
Issued: Jan 2023
Creating and Giving Business Presentations
Issued: Aug 2022
Thinking Creatively
Issued: Aug 2022
Creativity Boot Camp
Issued: Aug 2022