Fazali Illahi

Lead SDET @ Identity Digital | .NET, Selenium, Playwright | Automation Architect

About Me

Hey, I’m Fazali Illahi

I’m a Lead SDET and Automation Architect based in Kashmir, India. With over a decade of experience in software development and testing, I’ve dedicated my career to building intelligent, scalable automation solutions that drive product quality and engineering excellence.

My Journey

Starting as a software developer in 2014, I transitioned into the world of test automation and never looked back. What began as writing test scripts evolved into designing enterprise-grade automation frameworks that serve as the backbone for quality assurance at some of India’s leading tech companies.

Today, I lead automation initiatives at Identity Digital, where I architect backend testing solutions using modern frameworks and practices. But my passion extends far beyond just testing—I’m deeply invested in software engineering principles, system-level optimization, and exploring the intersection of AI and quality assurance.

What I’m Really Good At

Automation Architecture & Framework Design I design scalable, maintainable testing frameworks that grow with your product. Whether it’s REST API testing, end-to-end automation, or backend validation, I build solutions that are intuitive, efficient, and built for real-world complexity.

C# & .NET Ecosystem From WPF applications to .NET Core backend services, I have deep expertise in the Microsoft tech stack. I leverage C#, NUnit, MS Test, Entity Framework Core, and modern testing practices to create robust solutions.

Modern Testing Frameworks Playwright, Selenium WebDriver, and contemporary testing methodologies are my go-to tools. I keep current with the latest in test automation to ensure frameworks remain cutting-edge and performant.

Team Leadership & Mentorship Leading SDET teams has taught me that great automation is built by empowering engineers. I mentor teams on best practices, foster a culture of quality, and drive continuous improvement in testing processes.

Technical Problem-Solving I thrive on solving complex technical challenges—whether it’s optimizing test execution, reducing flakiness, or architecting solutions for edge cases in complex systems.

Beyond Work

When I’m not architecting automation frameworks, you’ll find me:

Playing guitar – fingerstyle is my preferred style; there’s something meditative about it
Exploring hardware optimization – AMD Ryzen systems, DDR5 memory tuning, and PC building fascinate me
Reading and researching – I’m always diving into new technologies, emerging testing methodologies, and software engineering patterns
Enjoying anime and music – both serve as creative inspiration for my work
Learning continuously – AI/ML applications in testing, system-level programming, and emerging tech trends keep my curiosity sharp

What Drives Me

I’m on a mission to become a recognized leader in test architecture and contribute meaningfully to advancing quality assurance practices in the software industry. I believe that great testing is invisible—it empowers developers to innovate confidently without fear of regression.

My goal is to:

Build automation solutions that are intuitive, maintainable, and future-proof
Share knowledge and mentor the next generation of test automation engineers
Push the boundaries of what’s possible in quality assurance and test architecture
Contribute to the evolution of best practices in the testing community

Technical Stack

Languages: C#, PowerShell, SQL, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust (exploring)

Testing Frameworks: Selenium WebDriver, Playwright, NUnit, MS Test, xUnit

Tech Stack: .NET Core, Entity Framework Core, WPF, WinForms, PostgreSQL

Tools & Practices: REST API Testing, Defect Management, Test Automation Architecture, Agile/Scrum

Let’s Connect

I’m always interested in discussing automation strategies, testing architecture, software engineering practices, and emerging technologies. Whether you’re building a testing framework, scaling your QA operations, or exploring new testing methodologies—I’d love to chat.

Find me on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fazali-illahi
Email: Connect via LinkedIn

Latest Thoughts

I regularly write about automation frameworks, testing best practices, and emerging technologies in QA. Check back often for in-depth technical insights and practical guidance on building robust testing solutions.

Last updated: December 2025