Alvis Babu, Software Tester and Engineer in Suffolk
Building digital solutions
that work.
Hi, I'm
Alvis Babu.
I test software at Cambridge Kinetics, based in Suffolk. Straight out of college I backed myself and picked an apprenticeship over university. Two years in, I haven't regretted it once.
Day to day I work on Kinabase, Cambridge Kinetics' AI-powered data platform. Beyond the standard testing I've wired live IoT sensors into the platform, built automated test workflows on top of AI tooling, and shipped internal tools the team actually reaches for. Earlier placements at Arm and Corbel showed me early how serious engineering teams operate.
This September I step up to a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, studying for a BSc in Digital & Technology Solutions (Cybersecurity) at the University of Exeter while staying on full-time at Cambridge Kinetics.
What I
know.
Languages
- TypeScript
- C#
- JavaScript
- Python
- SQL
- Bash / Shell
Frontend
- Vue 3
- Next.js / React
- Tailwind CSS
- Electron
- Framer Motion
- Nuxt 4
Testing & QA
- Manual Testing
- Exploratory Testing
- Vitest
- xUnit (.NET)
- API Testing
- Bug Lifecycle
Tooling
- Git / GitHub
- GitHub Actions
- Docker
- SQLite
- Agile / Scrum
- CI/CD Pipelines
What I
bring.
Test & Automate
Embedded at ARM's UK HQ on work placement, two weeks inside one of the world's most influential engineering environments. Now applying that standard daily at Cambridge Kinetics.
Build & Ship
A genuine interest in building websites turned into shipped products. Vue, TypeScript, GSAP, from curiosity to code that actually runs in production.
Secure & Analyse
Attended Cyber East's "Mind the Gap", exploring the UK's offensive security skills gap. Security-aware engineering built in from the ground up, with API testing and defensive thinking.
Where I've
worked.
Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentice
A Level 6 degree apprenticeship role specialising in cybersecurity, applying security-first engineering directly to live production systems while studying with the University of Exeter.
- Bringing defensive security thinking into day-to-day quality and engineering work
- Degree earned on the job, with no gap between what I learn and what I ship
Software Test Engineer
Level 4 apprenticeship role owning quality across Kinabase, Cambridge Kinetics' AI-powered data platform, while building internal tooling and integrations that multiply team productivity.
- Bridged a live IoT device (temperature, humidity, pressure) into Kinabase via API, surfacing real-time telemetry inside the platform
- Built an automated testing workflow on MCP integrations and LLM tooling, 10× increasing test-coverage speed and consistency
- Shipped internal tools for compliance workflows, support-article generation and operational efficiency
- Tested web and API surfaces across a multi-tenant SaaS product in an Agile team
Engineering Placement
Work placement at Arm, one of the world's most influential semiconductor and software design companies. Early exposure to engineering at global scale.
Technology Placement
Work placement at Corbel, a managed IT services provider. Hands-on experience in a professional technology environment.
What I've
studied.
BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions (Cybersecurity)
Level 6 degree apprenticeship (Russell Group), specialising in cybersecurity and studied while working full-time at Cambridge Kinetics.
Software Testing Apprenticeship
Level 4 apprenticeship covering manual and automated testing, test management and Agile delivery, completed alongside my role at Cambridge Kinetics.
BTEC Extended Diploma in Computing
Level 3 foundation in programming, networking and systems, where the habit of building software for fun first took hold.
Selected
projects.
Side projects built for fun, curiosity, and the satisfaction of shipping something real. Every one is open. Take a look.
Dashingly
Desktop AppSelf-hosted personal dashboard for Raspberry Pi. Connects Spotify, Strava, OpenAI and live weather into a single Electron app with a Vue 3 interface.
Worshippy
Web AppBuilding worship slide decks at church was entirely manual, so I automated it. Paste a setlist and lyrics, get a polished PowerPoint in seconds. Zero backend, zero install, all in the browser.
reclaiming.app
Web AppA health companion I designed and shipped from scratch. Track nutrition, training, mood and weight in one place. I owned the product, the design and the deployment.
Quiet Valley
GameA pixel-art life sim in C# and MonoGame. Farming, fishing, day/night cycles, a full economy system and save/load, with CI enforced via GitHub Actions.
