Carlos Nogales

About Carlos Nogales

Senior Test & Automation Engineer with 8+ years of experience in validation, verification, and quality engineering across software and hardware systems. I specialize in ensuring the reliability, stability, and performance of mission-critical platforms used in power system automation, SCADA environments, and industrial communication architectures.Throughout my career, I have led and executed validation strategies for complex, real-time systems, supporting global organizations such as ETAP and Schneider Electric. My work focuses on system integration, protocol compliance (IEC 61850, DNP3, IEC 104, OPC UA/DA, Modbus), and end-to-end testing of platforms deployed in energy infrastructure and industrial control environments.Currently, I operate at the intersection of validation strategy, system integration, and release quality, leading cross-functional and international teams to improve test coverage, reduce defect leakage, and accelerate release readiness. I bring a structured, data-driven approach to problem-solving, with strong expertise in root cause analysis and system-level troubleshooting.Fluent in both Spanish and English, I collaborate effectively with global engineering teams, utilities, and system integrators, bridging technical and operational requirements across diverse environments.Beyond my professional role, I am deeply engaged in hands-on engineering projects involving electronics, 3D design, and CNC machining—continuously exploring new technologies to enhance innovation, automation, and engineering efficiency.Strategic Impact• Led validation strategy for ETAP Real-Time modules, improving release readiness and reducing post-release defects.• Ensured multi-protocol compliance across DNP3, IEC 104, IEC 61850, ICCP, Modbus, and OPC UA/DA environments.• Supported international commissioning of mission-critical SCADA and power automation systems.• Implemented structured validation workflows using JIRA, improving defect tracking and cross-team coordination.• Leveraged AI-assisted tools to optimize validation processes and enhance engineering productivity.• Achieved >95% IR approval rate with zero QA rejections across multiple release cycles.• Reduced validation cycle time by ~20–30% through improved test coverage and process optimization.• Improved system reliability by identifying and resolving critical integration issues prior to release.

Experience

1. Gtm - Group Test Manager

   ETAP Software

   Sep 2024 — Present · Irvine, CA, US

   Engineering leader specializing in validation strategy, system reliability, and release governance for real-time power automation and SCADA platforms. As Group Test Manager at ETAP Software:• Drive testing strategy and validation completeness, ensuring alignment with system requirements and release objectives.• Influence product design and technical decisions by participating in cross-functional design and troubleshooting reviews, ensuring new features meet validation requirements, system reliability standards, and testability criteria.• Lead a distributed international team of 6 Test Engineers, guiding module validation, troubleshooting complex system behaviors, and ensuring consistent testing standards across ETAP Real-Time modules.• Maintain independent validation oversight, ensuring clear separation between testing execution and quality approval processes.• Review and approve validation activities performed by test engineers, ensuring test plans, test cases, and results accurately verify system behavior.• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Development Leads to streamline validation workflows and reduce review overhead through deep product expertise.• Develop and deliver technical training materials for internal teams and enterprise customers.• Develop Python proficiency to create custom reports, enhancing data visibility and analytics within the platform.

Education

• Universidad de La Salle

  Bachelor of Science in Electronic Design & Automation Engineering, Automation

  2005 — 2011

Skills

• Instrumentation
• Automation
• Plc
• Scada
• Programming
• Engineering
• Process Control
• Robotics