From Tester to Engineering Manager: My Journey Through Data, Cloud, and Growth

"Every time I learned something new, I unlocked a new version of myself. That’s the real growth not in titles, but in transformation."

Jul 31, 2025

From Curiosity to Career

I didn’t start with a grand plan. My career began in software testing understanding how systems behave, where they break, and how to make them better. It was about breaking things deliberately so they could be rebuilt stronger. But somewhere between writing test cases and poring over log files, something began to shift.

I found myself drawn to something deeper. I found myself drawn to data.

Sweden: Where Data Found Me

In 2008, while pursuing my Master’s at Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) in Sweden, I stumbled upon Tableau 6.0. That moment quietly changed everything.

For my thesis, I didn’t just analyze data — I visualised it. I told stories. I made insights visible and understandable. That was when I realized data wasn't just numbers and tables — it had a voice. That thesis project became the seed of my entire career journey.

India: Building BI Foundations

Returning to India, I started as a Data Analyst. I learnt how business data flows, how analytics supports decisions, and how systems run in real-time.

Later, at eInfochips in Ahmedabad, I worked as a BI Consultant for Dacadoo. There, I built dashboards to track employee health scores and for the first time, I saw how data could impact real human lives.

Juniper: Where BI Met the Cloud

In 2015, I joined Juniper Networks (Now “HPE” ) as a BI Architect. I was responsible for a 6-node Tableau Server, integrating Alteryx, and making critical architectural choices. Then came a defining challenge migrating our analytics stack to AWS.

This was the bridge that took me from Business Intelligence into cloud, infrastructure, and DevOps. I collaborated with cloud architects, designed deployment guardrails, and built scalable systems.

That experience widened my scope from delivering dashboards to managing infrastructure as product.

Poland: Scaling BI and Leading Globally

In 2017, I moved to Poland to take up a BI Architect role in financial services. It was a new scale altogether , a 13-node Tableau deployment, one of the largest in Europe at that time. But the real work went beyond the tools.

We built a Business Intelligence Center of Excellence, defined internal processes, mentored analysts, and fostered a self-service analytics culture. I focused on coaching, enablement, and stakeholder relationships.

At this point, I began to see: success wasn't just technical. It was about trust, collaboration, and people.

Becoming an Engineering Manager

Over the years, the blend of technical execution and human-centred leadership shaped my path. Today, as an Engineering Manager, I bring a product mindset into everything whether it’s designing systems, enabling teams, or solving tough problems.

I focus on:

Systems that last
Teams that scale
Problems that matter

I’ve moved from running reports to running teams. From building dashboards to building leaders and this transformation from individual contributor to enabler has been the most fulfilling part.

Acknowledgments and Mentors

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank some incredible people who have played a key role in my growth journey.

First, my former manager, Paul Banoub, deserves a special mention. Paul taught me the true meaning of leadership not just as a title, but as an ongoing practice of motivating and guiding your team. He encouraged me to participate in those valuable “House View of Leadership” trainings, which shaped my understanding deeply. What stood out most was his availability he always made time for our one-on-one sessions, patiently listening to all my questions. Paul is truly a great listener and mentor, and his guidance has been priceless.

I also owe a lot to my mentor of the last three years, Mr. Michael Bharwani. Michael has been a constant source of encouragement and honest feedback. He advocates for continuous improvement and pushes me to grow every day. His support has helped me sharpen my skills and mindset in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

These two wonderful leaders have been crucial pillars in my journey. Their mentorship and example have left a lasting impact on me, and I feel fortunate to have had such resourceful people guiding me.

Of course, there are many others who have contributed in various ways, but Paul and Michael are truly standout influences worth highlighting here.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Curiosity opens doors
That one thesis with Tableau quietly set my entire career in motion.
Tech is a tool
True impact comes from service, support, and enablement.
You don’t need to start perfectly
I began as a tester. What matters is how you evolve.
People are always at the centre
Whether it’s infrastructure or analytics , we’re always solving for humans.