Mobile Test Automation Modernization: Payments Platform
Leading a team through technical debt while maintaining velocity in a high-stakes fintech environment
The Challenge
I inherited a mobile testing operation in crisis. The team was managing 6 critical modules across iOS and Android—over 840 test cases total (70-80 tests per module, per platform)—but the test suites were crumbling under technical debt.
Hardcoded credentials caused constant test failures. Rapid product development meant UI changes broke selectors daily. Test cases cost $1,000 each to maintain due to execution overhead and flakiness. The team was overwhelmed and directionless—despite their seniority, they lacked clarity on priorities and execution strategy.
The client needed these suites modernized without slowing down their aggressive development roadmap. As the lead (managing engineers more senior than myself), I had to deliver technical solutions while building team cohesion and confidence.
My Approach
I balanced leadership strategy with technical execution, organizing the team for clarity while building infrastructure to eliminate systemic failures.
Organized for Clarity and Ownership
Split the team: 3 engineers on Android, 3 on iOS. Jumped between platforms myself to unblock both streams. Assigned clear module ownership while preventing silos through daily standups and cross-platform knowledge sharing.
Established Operational Rhythm
Communicated priorities from day one, conducted PR reviews to maintain code quality, ran knowledge transfer sessions during handoffs, and created Confluence docs and comprehensive README files for sustainability.
Built SDK v2.0 from Scratch
Rewrote the credential generation utility in Kotlin/Java, implemented annotation-based credential injection for Espresso tests, tested and validated in the client's Jenkins CI/CD pipeline, eliminating hardcoded credentials across all 6 modules.
Navigated Platform Complexity
Mastered both Espresso (Android) and XCUITest (iOS) frameworks, managed complex Gradle/Fastlane configurations, handled multiple app schemes (QA, Staging, Production), and used documentation as a bridge for rapid iOS ↔ Android context switching.
Maintained CI/CD Velocity
Inherited and optimized Jenkins pipelines, implemented GitHub checks for automated quality gates, adapted test execution to match development team's sprint cadence, and reduced flaky test rates significantly through better waits, annotations, and selector strategies.
Prepared for Handoff
Documented architecture decisions, setup guides, and troubleshooting runbooks, ensuring the client team could maintain the suites independently post-engagement.
Results & Impact
The modernization effort transformed both the technical infrastructure and team dynamics. Here are the measurable outcomes:
Key Learnings
Leadership Isn't About Seniority—It's About Clarity
Even with a team of experienced engineers, clear communication and task assignment transformed productivity. Manager feedback confirmed: 'They felt supported and finally knew what to do.'
Platform Versatility Compounds Impact
Being fluent in both iOS and Android allowed me to unblock bottlenecks on either side, maximizing team velocity and preventing platform silos.
Infrastructure Investments Pay Dividends
Building the SDK v2.0 was high effort upfront but eliminated an entire class of test failures permanently, reducing maintenance burden and flakiness dramatically.
Documentation = Sustainability
In consulting engagements, your legacy is what the team can do after you leave. Comprehensive documentation and knowledge transfer ensured seamless handoff.