Chandni Bedi

Role: IT SPECIALIST (QUALITY ASSURANCE DIVISION)

Company: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, MD

Duration: April 2018 - Present (7 years, 4 months)
Work Experience
Quality Assurance
  • Pioneered a new automated testing strategy by designing and engineering a reusable Cypress automation framework with JavaScript from the ground up, significantly reducing manual testing efforts across multiple projects.
  • Led agency-wide Section 508 accessibility efforts, including conducting compliance testing and defining all requirements for the procurement of a new enterprise-level validation tool.
  • Acted as a subject matter expert and mentor for test automation, creating detailed process documentation and training materials that became the standard for the QA team.
  • Led multifaceted QA testing (functional, integration, UAT, regression) across numerous projects, delivering the final 'Go' approval for deployment upon successful validation.
  • Maintained a "single source of truth" for technical assets by leveraging Git repositories, creating a structured environment for version control, change management, and stakeholder collaboration.
  • Mitigated significant deployment risk by executing end-to-end test scenarios that uncovered critical system and process defects prior to release, ensuring the integrity and strategic alignment of mission-critical applications.

Requirements Analysis & Solution Validation
  • Guaranteed system integrity to make access happen (NARA Strategic Goal 1) by executing hundreds of test cases for functional, regression, and UAT cycles, verifying that all specifications were met before deployment.
  • Ensured technology solutions connected with customers (NARA Strategic Goal 2) by analyzing and translating business requirements into detailed use cases and validation scenarios by personally designing and developing comprehensive test plans for functional, acceptance, and regression testing.
  • Validated system alignment with business needs by performing hands-on functional and user acceptance testing (UAT) based on approved test plans and acceptance criteria.
  • Performed requirements traceability by executing end-to-end test scenarios that uncovered critical system and process defects prior to release.

Process Improvement & Strategic Influence
  • Helped maximize NARA’s value to the nation (NARA Strategic Goal 3) by identifying opportunities for process optimization within existing workflows, recommending improved system acceptance protocols to increase efficiency.
  • Contributed to strategic IT governance by executing test plans that ensured the Program Test Enterprise Plan aligned with industry best practices and quality standards.
  • Influenced key technology decisions and policy by conducting hands-on investigations of complex system issues and performing tests that produced data-driven recommendations.
  • Supported strategic planning and enterprise analysis by performing hands-on tests that investigated the system's technological architecture and validated its strategic direction.

Stakeholder Communication & Project Management
  • Communicated project status and system quality to stakeholders by executing test suites and delivering detailed technical reports on the results and defect rates.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration and resource planning by identifying technical needs and performing tests that required specific environments and support staff.
  • Helped build our future through our people (NARA Strategic Goal 4) by acting as a liaison between technical and business objectives by performing continuous hands-on testing throughout the entire system lifecycle, from design to UAT.
  • Aided in procurement and vendor management by executing hands-on evaluations and performance tests of vendor solutions against technical specifications.

Role: IT SUPPORT/BROADCAST ENGINEER

Company: Yorktel, Baltimore, MD

Client: Social Security Administration (SSA)

Duration: November 2016 - March 2018 (1 year, 4 months)
Work Experience
  • Analyzed technical issues and system behavior to identify root causes and recommended long-term solutions, improving system stability and user experience.
  • Installed and configured software systems and ensured all upgrades and patches were applied consistently to meet security and performance standards.
  • Provided end-user support and training for new software tools and services, translating technical processes into user-friendly guidance.
  • Researched and resolved complex hardware and software issues, often requiring cross- functional coordination and documentation of findings.
  • Developed process documentation guides and technical manuals to support knowledge sharing and streamline internal workflows.
  • Created detailed network diagrams using Visio, AutoCAD LT, and Wire CAD to support infrastructure planning and communication with technical stakeholders.
  • Maintained hardware and software inventories, ensuring accurate tracking and availability of essential IT resources.
  • Supported infrastructure development by creating and installing network cabling and contributing to system configuration.
  • Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot network and connectivity issues, ensuring minimal downtime and efficient resolution.
  • Assisted in identifying opportunities for process improvements within IT operations, contributing to enhanced service delivery and internal efficiency.

Role: SOFTWARE TESTER

Company: CSRA, Baltimore, MD

Client: Social Security Administration (SSA)

Duration: November 2015 - November 2016 (1 year)
Work Experience
  • Performed manual testing of software applications to validate functionality, usability, and compliance with business requirements and user expectations.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders and business analysts to gather, document, and validate functional and non-functional requirements for software solutions.
  • Led stakeholder review sessions to present automation workflows, gather user feedback, and refine system functionality based on evolving business needs.
  • Partnered with clients and cross-functional teams during testing phases to ensure software solutions met documented requirements and business expectations.
  • Contributed to project planning and SDLC activities by analyzing requirements and translating them into test strategies and acceptance criteria.
  • Oversaw User Acceptance Testing (UAT), including test planning, execution, issue tracking, and securing final sign-off from stakeholders.
  • Identified and resolved technical and process-related issues, aligning solutions with business objectives and enhancing overall system performance.
  • Authored detailed test plans, scripts, and documentation to validate functionality and ensure traceability to business requirements.
  • Conducted API and web service testing using SOAP UI and tracked development progress and quality metrics via Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools.
  • Delivered comprehensive test reports and insights to development teams, enabling data- driven improvements to product quality.
  • Collaborated closely with technical and non-technical teams to align project deliverables with business goals and ensure successful implementations.

Role: SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

Company: DB Consulting Group, Inc., Silver Spring, MD

Duration: May 2014 - September 2015 (1 year, 5 months)
Work Experience
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify system needs, propose IT solutions, and improve service delivery across departments.
  • Provided daily administrative and technical support to leadership, ensuring timely communication and operational continuity.
  • Created and maintained user access in Active Directory, ensuring proper role alignment and data security across business units.
  • Acted as Disaster Recovery (DR) Administrator, managing over 500 monthly backups using Symantec Backup Exec and Veeam, ensuring data integrity and business continuity.
  • Analyzed system vulnerabilities on Windows Servers and implemented monthly mitigation strategies to reduce risk and improve performance.
  • Documented existing processes, system configurations, and workflows to support transparency, training, and future improvements.
  • Contributed to the development and implementation of an IT disaster recovery plan aligned with business continuity goals.
  • Delivered user support and training, translating technical solutions into user-friendly terms and improving overall satisfaction.
  • Participated in project status meetings and presentations, effectively communicating progress and technical considerations to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Conducted root cause analysis for technical issues, recommending process or system improvements to enhance efficiency.
  • Trained and mentored junior staff, promoting knowledge-sharing and supporting onboarding processes.
  • Managed enterprise-wide tools such as Sophos for antivirus, mobile device management, and disk encryption, ensuring compliance and data protection.
  • Performed system imaging and workstation deployment, streamlining onboarding and hardware refresh processes.
  • Completed formal training in ITIL and Windows Server Administration; earned ITIL certification to support process-driven service management.
  • Reviewed and recommended enhancements to IT infrastructure, aligning systems' performance with organizational needs.

Role: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

Company: Computer Science Corporation, CSC, Baltimore, MD

Client: Social Security Administration (SSA)

Duration: January 2014 - May 2014 (1 year, 5 months)
Work Experience
  • Provided application and technical support for custom Windows-based systems, ensuring functionality met end-user and organizational requirements.
  • Contributed to project development and validation efforts by supporting server administration, software upgrades, and Active Directory management, while ensuring data accuracy across information and hardware databases.
  • Acted as technical project lead on multiple initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders to align project goals, schedule work, and meet key milestone deadlines.
  • Supported internal systems through troubleshooting and root cause analysis, identifying patterns in technical issues and recommending sustainable solutions.
  • Maintained operational integrity of web applications by supporting Internet Information Services (IIS), ColdFusion development, and SQL server performance.
  • Tracked and resolved IT service requests using the HEAT ticketing system, documenting resolutions and identifying recurring issues for process improvement.
  • Developed and maintained standard operating procedures (SOPs) to formalize internal processes, increase efficiency, and ensure knowledge retention.
  • Regularly communicated project status and technical updates to management and application leads, ensuring project progress remains aligned with business objectives.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between technical teams and business units to ensure project requirements were accurately understood and implemented.