Thomas Maher

About

I’m a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) specializing in building web, mobile, and API automated test frameworks - from initial proof-of-concept through CI/CD integration, reporting, and team mentoring and training. I work best embedded directly in a dev team, constructing an automation framework sprint-by-sprint, translating business requirements into solid automated tests according to the wants and needs of the business and its stakeholders.
Over the past decade I’ve worked writing test automation for mobile (Detox + TypeScript, Appium + Java), browser (Playwright, Selenium WebDriver, Capybara + Ruby, Watir), API and database layers at companies including SELF Id, MassMutual, Verily Life Sciences (Google), Threat Stack, and Fitbit.

I've also been incorporating AI-assisted development into my workflow - using GitHub Copilot, Claude, and am currently learning Playwright Test Generator.
Being part of the software testing community is important to me. I have an upcoming TestGuild talk in April about Building a React Native Mobile Automation Framework using Detox + TypeScript, with slides at tinyurl.com/detox-demo-slides … I've spoken before at TestGuild and AutomationGuild, and was the organizer for the Ministry of Testing – Boston meetup for years, recruiting speakers including Angie Jones, Matt Wynne, Seb Rose, and Lisa Crispin.

Blogging for me is part of the learning process. I tend to document as I go, creating toy projects to deepen what I am learning on the job. My 200+ post technical blog, Adventures in Automation ( tjmaher.com ) are written mid-process - while I'm still figuring something out - because that's the best way to I've found to encourage collaboration. That same instinct shows up in how I work: writing READMEs, mentoring teammates new to automation, and presenting framework walkthroughs to company QA guilds.
Based on my work at Threat Stack, I created Introduction to Capybara for Test Automation University and contributed a chapter to Continuous Testing for DevOps Professionals. I’ve also published articles in TechBeacon and on the SmartBear and Threat Stack blogs.
I’d welcome the chance to talk about how I can contribute to your team. Feel free to reach out by email or LinkedIn. Thank you for your time!