Staff Spotlight – Jacob Barbáchano

Welcome to our Q&A series, where we take you behind the scenes to meet the incredible individuals who drive Sparta’s achievements. Join us as we delve into the unique stories, passions, and talents that make our team thrive.
Today, it’s our pleasure to introduce Jacob Barbáchano, a valuable member of our team. While he’s now a skilled QA engineer at Sparta, his journey to this role is a fascinating one. Jacob began his career with a degree in chemical engineering, but his path soon led him to the dynamic realm of software development. Along the way, he’s contributed his expertise to various industries, from financial services to medical diagnosis software. Let’s uncover more about Jacob’s inspiring journey and the insights he brings to our team.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE COMPANY?
I joined Sparta in March ’21, so it’s been about two and a half years. Time has flown by quickly! It feels like it was just yesterday when I started. The journey has been so engaging, and I’m involved in fascinating projects. Now, I’m like, “wow,” when I realise that it’s been so long since I joined.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR ROLE
Certainly! I work as a QA engineer, and my primary goal is to ensure the product meets high-quality standards. This involves not only identifying bugs but also preventing them and validating that the product aligns with its specifications. It’s all about delivering value to the end user.
In our QA team, my focus is primarily on automated testing. This allows us to run a significant number of tests quickly, enabling manual QAs to concentrate on more value-added testing, leading to faster and more confident releases.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY?/CAN YOU GIVE ME A RUNDOWN OF YOUR CAREER PATH UP UNTIL THIS POINT?
I studied chemical engineering initially but transitioned into software development. I began my career as a COBOL developer at Santander Bank for two years. Later, I shifted towards QA, initially manually running tests and gradually taking on more responsibilities. I’ve worked in various industries, including financial services and medical diagnosis software.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF WORKING AT OUR COMPANY?
Yeah, I’ve thought about this, and there are certain aspects of working at this company that I truly enjoy. However, if I had to choose one thing that excites me the most, it would be the opportunity to be part of a company that is pioneering new territory. You see, you can work for a company that has direct competitors or one that does similar things as others, and you’d just be a small part of a larger industry. But what sets Sparta apart is that we’re doing something truly unique. We’re charting new paths in a world where we stand out from the rest. I find that feeling incredibly fulfilling, like we’re exploring uncharted territories.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
As I mentioned earlier, my educational background is in chemical engineering, but my career has revolved around software development. Personally, I take pride in my ability to navigate this industry with minimal formal training. I’ve always pushed myself to learn as I go, constantly seeking solutions to challenges as they arise.
When I reflect on my journey, starting from a background in chemical engineering and transitioning into the software development field without formal training, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I’ve developed my career by learning through hands-on experience and tackling problems head-on. I didn’t have a roadmap or formal education in this field, but I was determined to find a way. That mindset is what I’m most proud of.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE OUR COMPANY CULTURE?
There are indeed many aspects to our company culture that are worth mentioning, but I’ll focus on two key elements.
Firstly, Sparta has a strong user-oriented approach, and this is ingrained in the mindset of all Spartans. We consistently strive to understand how our work contributes value to the end user. I’ve worked in other companies where the user was often secondary, which didn’t feel quite right. Here at Sparta, the emphasis on the end user’s needs is at the forefront.
Secondly, the culture here embodies a unique flexibility-responsibility balance. It’s not just a company policy; it’s a commitment that motivates us Spartans to give our absolute best.
While we have the freedom to manage our tasks and schedules, we also bear the responsibility to deliver. This balance not only allows us to be effective professionals but also enables us to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It fosters a sense of belonging and ownership in the business, which I truly value.
WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT?
In my teenage years, I won the math Olympics in my city three times in a row. Additionally, I used to work as a football referee, which often surprises people as they’re curious about the experience.
WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON HERE?
Currently, I’m deeply engaged in an exciting project that involves stress-testing our application. I’m particularly eager to be part of this endeavour because it presents both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity for learning.
In this phase, we are in the initial planning stages of stress-testing the application. This involves simulating a high volume of users accessing the application to assess its performance under heavy loads. I’m enthusiastic about this project because it’s a departure from my usual tasks, and I anticipate significant personal growth as I take on this challenge.
This type of testing aims to gauge how the application performs under extreme conditions, revealing its strengths and weaknesses and helping us determine its scalability. It’s an exciting opportunity to push our limits and see how we can enhance the user experience.
WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I’ve given this a lot of thought. If I could speak to my younger self, I would encourage myself to take more risks. While being cautious is important, it’s equally essential not to be overly prudent.
Yes, it’s crucial to exercise caution, but don’t let it hold you back too much. Take more risks and challenge yourself. Surprise yourself by attempting things that may seem impossible, and don’t give up after just one try. Keep pushing forward, even if it takes 10, 100, or even 1001 attempts to achieve your goals.
HOW HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED OVER TIME SINCE YOU’VE BEEN HERE?
I’ve shifted my focus away from manual testing and towards automated testing. Moreover, I’ve had the opportunity to explore various automation technologies and apply them to a broader range of areas.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS/YEARS?
My primary objective is to enhance the quality and robustness of these automated tests. I aim to fortify them, making them as reliable and resilient as possible. This involves extensive coverage of the application. Ultimately contributing to the prevention of more bugs. Additionally, by bolstering our automated testing efforts, we can enable our manual QA team to focus their expertise on other critical aspects of testing. While some tasks can be automated, there will always be other important areas that require their specialised attention.
Though there are many facets to our work, these goals reflect my immediate priorities and aspirations.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR JOB?
The importance of reporting incidents to your colleagues cannot be overstated, and it requires a high degree of sensitivity. If you’re not careful in selecting the right words, it can sometimes be misconstrued as an offense.
This aspect of my job is something I’ve encountered elsewhere, and it can indeed be challenging. Effectively communicating when something isn’t right can be difficult. It’s crucial to choose your words carefully and ensure that your message is delivered in a way that doesn’t make others feel attacked or offended. At Sparta, I’ve had the privilege of working with wonderful colleagues who understand that we’re all working towards the same goals. This fosters an environment where feedback is seen as a means to help one another rather than criticize or blame. It’s a testament to our teamwork.
WHAT’S ONE THING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
Discovering the ability to accomplish tasks I never thought possible.
Sometimes, I find myself surprised because I had preconceived notions about my limitations. It’s remarkable how, by simply taking action and attempting things, I’ve repeatedly proved myself wrong and discovered that I could achieve more than I initially believed.
IF YOU HAD THREE WISHES, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
A happy solution to the climate change challenge.
Health and rock’n’roll for everyone!
WHAT’S THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?
There’s a Spanish artist called Quique Gonzalez that I like a lot, so probably the last thing I’ve listened to is something of his. Or, if not, children’s songs that sometimes play at home.
WHAT, IF ANYTHING, ARE YOU CURRENTLY BINGE-WATCHING OR READING?
It is not always easy to find the time, but I enjoy reading books and watching popular science channels on YouTube. I especially like to watch physics and quantum mechanics and also anything about tennis where I can learn new techniques.
WHAT’S ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
As my son gets older, I want to continue to travel with my family to more distant places. To get to know more countries, other places, and their cultures.
Jacob is a QA engineer at Sparta and can be contacted at jacob.barbachano@spartacommodities.com
Sparta is a live, market intelligence and forecasting platform that enables oil traders, refiners, banks, hedge funds and wholesalers to have access to real-time and global actionable insights to capture market opportunities before others.
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