Michael Hargiss
Professional Software Engineer in Test and Team Lead
Professional Overview
Michael Hargiss is an experienced Software Engineer in Test and team lead with a strong background in developing robust quality assurance processes and leading high-performing engineering teams. With a focus on the education technology industry, he leverages his expertise in test automation, DevOps, and agile methodologies to drive continuous improvement and ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Team Lead - Principal Software Engineer in Test at Instructure, Michael is responsible for leading a team of software engineers in test and overseeing the development and implementation of comprehensive testing strategies. In this role, he has spearheaded the implementation of advanced test automation frameworks, significantly reducing manual testing efforts and improving overall testing coverage. Michael's leadership has been instrumental in fostering a culture of quality and collaboration within the engineering organization.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Michael served as the Tech Lead - Senior Software Engineer in Test at Instructure, where he played a pivotal role in scaling the company's quality assurance capabilities to support its rapid growth. He has also held positions as a Software Engineer in Test at Instructure and a Lead Software Development Engineer in Test at Corporate Managing Systems Inc. Throughout his career, Michael has demonstrated a strong commitment to driving innovation, optimizing testing processes, and mentoring junior engineers to enhance their skills and professional development.
Academic Background
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Fresno, where he graduated with honors. His academic focus on software engineering and computer systems has provided a strong foundation for his career in the technology industry.
Areas of Expertise
- Test automation framework design and implementation
- Agile software development methodologies
- DevOps and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices
- Performance testing and optimization
- Cross-browser and cross-platform testing
- Technical leadership and team management
Professional Impact
During his tenure at Instructure, Michael has played a crucial role in improving the company's overall software quality and test coverage. Under his leadership, the engineering team has achieved significant reductions in manual testing efforts, with up to 80% of test cases automated. Additionally, Michael has spearheaded the implementation of a robust CI/CD pipeline, ensuring that every code change is thoroughly vetted before being deployed to production.
Conclusion
Michael Hargiss is a seasoned Software Engineer in Test and team lead with a proven track record of driving quality, efficiency, and innovation within the education technology industry. His expertise in test automation, DevOps, and agile methodologies, combined with his strong leadership skills, make him a valuable asset in delivering high-quality software solutions that empower educators and learners worldwide.
