❮Safa Dev❯

Safa Demirkan

Software Engineer | Full-Stack Developer | SDET

Summary

Software Engineer with 9+ years of experience in test automation, CI/CD, and software quality, now transitioning into full-stack development. Recently built and launched production applications using Go, React, React Native, and PostgreSQL — including a live iOS app on the App Store. Strong foundation in system architecture, debugging, and automated testing, with a proven track record of improving release quality and reducing manual effort through tooling and frameworks.

Projects

LuxSUV — Premium Ground Transportation Platform

Oct 2024 – Present

Full-stack luxury ride-sharing platform for the Seattle–Vancouver BC corridor. Spans a Go REST API, React rider web app, React Native iOS driver app, and React admin portal — all live in production.

GoReactReact NativeExpoPostgreSQLTypeScriptStripeGoogle Maps APITanStack RouterTanStack QuerySSEEAS BuildPlaywrightDigitalOceanVercel
  • Architected and deployed a Go REST API on DigitalOcean serving three client applications: rider web app, driver iOS app, and admin portal.
  • Implemented multi-role JWT authentication with separate flows for web (httpOnly cookies) and mobile (SecureStore), plus role-based middleware for Rider, Driver, and Admin.
  • Integrated Stripe payments, Google Distance Matrix API for dynamic route pricing, and Server-Sent Events for real-time ride tracking.
  • Built and published a React Native/Expo driver app to the App Store via EAS Build, including background location tracking and TestFlight distribution.
  • Developed a Playwright E2E test suite with GitHub Actions CI/CD pipeline connected to Neon PostgreSQL and MailHog.
Interactive Todo Application

Nov 2025

Production full-stack task management platform with team-based workflows, authentication, and role-based access control.

GoReactPostgreSQLTypeScriptTanStack RouterTanStack QueryPlaywrightDockerNginx
  • Designed and built secure REST API in Go with JWT authentication and role-based authorization
  • Implemented team management, task assignment, and refresh token security patterns
  • Developed React SPA with TanStack ecosystem for optimistic UI and smart caching
  • Created comprehensive E2E test suite with Playwright for API validation
  • Deployed with Docker, Nginx, and automated CI/CD pipeline on DigitalOcean

Technical Skills

Languages

GoTypeScriptJavaScriptJavaKotlinSQL

Frontend

ReactNext.jsTanStack RouterTanStack QueryTailwind CSSVite

Backend

Go (Chi, pgx)REST APIsPostgreSQLDockerNginxNode.js

Mobile

React NativeExpoEAS BuildApp Store SubmissioniOSAndroid

Testing & QA

PlaywrightSeleniumAppiumCucumberJUnitTestNGJest

DevOps & Tools

GitHub ActionsJenkinsGitLab CI/CDAWSDockerKubernetesGitLinux

Work Experience

Wizards of the Coast

Software Development Engineer in Test

Jan 2019 - May 2025

Renton, WA

  • Built Java/Kotlin test automation framework, reducing manual testing effort significantly across web and mobile.
  • Developed Android/iOS automation with Appium, increasing test coverage by 40% in 6 months.
  • Implemented BDD framework (Cucumber, Selenium, Appium), reducing defects by 25% within one year.
  • Integrated test suites into Jenkins/GitLab CI/CD pipelines; deployed scalable environments on AWS, Docker, and Kubernetes.
  • Adopted Playwright for web automation, boosting test efficiency by 40% in 6 months.
Providence Health Services

Software Development Engineer in Test

Jul 2018 - Jan 2019

Seattle, WA

  • Built Android/iOS/Web automation framework (Java, JUnit, JavaScript), increasing test coverage by 50% in 4 months.
  • Automated deep linking and parallel mobile tests; Agile test strategy via Bitrise CI reduced system downtime by 30%.
Sempra Energy

Software Development Engineer in Test

Nov 2017 - May 2018

Redmond, WA

  • Automated tests with WebDriver and Cucumber, increasing test coverage by 40% within 3 months.
Hilton

Software Development Engineer in Test / Test Lead Engineer

Mar 2017 - Nov 2017

Memphis, TN

  • Led test strategy with Jenkins CI/CD; built Selenium/Appium scripts for web/mobile, enhancing coverage by 60%.
American Express

Software Development Engineer in Test

Nov 2015 - Jan 2017

NYC, NY

  • Built and maintained Selenium WebDriver automation in Jenkins CI; developed internal tooling to reduce manual QA effort.

Education

Northwestern University

MS, Biomedical Engineering

Jan 2013 - Jan 2015

GPA: 3.5

Yeditepe University

BS, Biomedical Engineering

Jan 2007 - Jan 2011

GPA: 3.6