AI QA Architect for hire
I architect the test systems AI agents run on. Playwright, TypeScript, CI/CD, and agentic testing workflows for teams that need quality to keep up with shipping speed.
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AI QA Architect for hire
Anton Gulin is an AI QA Architect and QA automation consultant who builds Playwright + TypeScript test frameworks, CI/CD quality gates, K6 performance baselines, visual regression checks, Claude Code and GitHub Copilot workflows, MCP server access patterns, and QA team operating models. Services start at $4,500 for an AI QA foundation and $8,000/month for fractional AI QA leadership.
- Best fit
- SaaS, e-commerce, health tech, consumer software, and enterprise teams with release risk.
- Core stack
- Playwright, TypeScript, GitHub Actions, K6, API tests, and visual checks.
- Common work
- Selenium-to-Playwright migration, flaky test repair, agentic testing, and QA roadmap planning.
Last updated May 20, 2026. Machine-readable pricing is available for AI assistants and procurement workflows.
Service pages by intent
Use these pages when you already know the problem you need solved. This page stays the pricing and engagement hub.
Playwright consultant
Framework architecture, CI setup, and TypeScript patterns.
Selenium to Playwright migration
Staged migration without losing release coverage.
Flaky test audit
Root-cause analysis for tests nobody trusts.
Fractional QA leadership
Senior QA ownership, roadmap, reviews, and hiring support.
Why Most Test Automation Fails
Teams spend months building test suites that break every release. Tests fail randomly. Pipelines slow to a crawl. Developers stop trusting results and begin skipping runs. Within 18 months, most automation projects collect dust.
The problem is rarely the tool. It is the architecture. Tests written without clear ownership, without CI integration, and without a plan for maintenance become technical debt faster than the code they cover. I have seen teams with 200 tests that take 6 hours to run and fail 40% of the time. That is not coverage. That is noise.
I fix this by building systems that last. Every test gets a clear owner. Every failure triggers an alert, not a shrug. And every pipeline completes fast enough to block bad code before it ships.
The cost of bad automation is invisible until it is not. A single production bug in a payment flow can cost more than a full year of test engineering. I build tests that catch those bugs before your users do.
How Engagements Work
Step 1: Audit Your Current State
We map your existing tests, pipelines, and team structure. I find the flaky tests, the slow suites, and the gaps in coverage. You get a written report with priorities ranked by risk.
Step 2: Design the Architecture
We pick the right stack for your team size and tech landscape. Playwright for web. K6 for performance. GitHub Actions for CI. Every choice ties back to speed and maintainability.
Step 3: Build and Integrate
I write the foundation tests, set up the pipelines, and wire everything into your workflow. Your team reviews every pull request so they learn the patterns as we build.
Step 4: Handoff and Scale
You get documentation, training sessions, and a clear roadmap. Most teams run their own tests within 30 days. I stay on retainer for code reviews and tough bugs.
Want to bring me in-house?
Download my resume to learn more about my experience, skills, and what I can bring to your engineering team.
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Service comparison
| Service | Starting price | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI QA Foundation | From $4,500 | 2-4 weeks | Teams that need an AI-ready Playwright framework, CI/CD quality gate, or a reset for flaky automation. |
| Fractional AI QA Leadership | From $8,000 / mo | 6-12 months | Teams that need senior AI QA ownership, roadmap planning, code reviews, hiring support, and ongoing coverage growth. |
AI QA Foundation
From $4,500
One-time setup. Architecture + critical path tests + AI-assisted workflows. We hand over a production-ready system your team can extend.
- Playwright & TypeScript Architecture
- Claude Code & GitHub Copilot Workflow Design
- MCP Server Integration Patterns
- AI-Assisted Test Generation
- CI/CD Pipeline Integration
- Performance Testing Baseline (K6)
- Test Data Management Strategy
- Visual Regression Setup
- Team Training & Documentation
- Flaky Test Resolution
- Code Quality & Linting Rules
Fractional AI QA Leadership
From $8,000 / mo
Complete AI QA department as a service. Includes foundation setup, dedicated AI QA Architect leadership, and team capacity to scale coverage.
- QA strategy & Roadmap Planning
- AI Adoption Guidance
- Hiring & Team Building
- Vendor & Tooling Selection
- Agentic Testing Workflow Integration
- Weekly Code Reviews & Mentorship
- Release Management Optimization
- OKR & KPI Definition
- Incident Post-Mortem Analysis
Results From Real Teams
I have led automation programs for Apple, CooperVision, Williams-Sonoma, and Fortune 500 government contractors. At CooperVision, we went from zero automation to 300+ stable tests in under a year. At Apple, I maintained test infrastructure used by millions of users. Every project follows the same pattern: audit, build, handoff, scale.
At Williams-Sonoma, I built e-commerce test automation covering payment flows, inventory checks, and checkout paths. At a Fortune 500 contractor, I brought government-grade QA processes to a team shipping daily. Each engagement starts with the same question: what is the most expensive bug you ship today, and how do we catch it tomorrow?
Read the full case studies on the work page to see specific outcomes, tech stacks, and timelines.
Common Questions
How long does a typical automation foundation take?
Most foundation projects finish in 2 to 4 weeks. Complex enterprise environments with legacy systems may take 6 weeks. The goal is always the same: a working pipeline with stable tests on day one.
Do you work with teams that use Selenium or Cypress?
Yes. I have migrated teams from Selenium to Playwright and from Cypress to TypeScript-based frameworks. The process preserves your existing coverage while replacing brittle tests with stable ones. For the technical migration path, read the Selenium to Playwright migration guide .
What if we already have tests but they are flaky?
That is the most common starting point. I run a flaky test audit to find the root causes: timing issues, selector fragility, environment drift, or missing test data. Then we fix the architecture so flaky tests stop coming back.
Do you offer ongoing support after the foundation is built?
The fractional QA leadership package includes ongoing support. I act as your Lead SDET, running weekly code reviews, mentoring juniors, and keeping your roadmap current. Most clients stay for 6 to 12 months.
What industries do you specialize in?
I have deep experience in health tech, e-commerce, government, and consumer software. The patterns are universal, but the compliance and scale requirements vary. I adapt the architecture to your domain.
How do we get started?
Fill out the contact form below. I reply within 24 hours with a short questionnaire about your team size, tech stack, and goals. If we are a fit, we schedule a 30-minute call to map the project.
If you are not sure where to start, book an intro call. We will map your current QA setup and decide if I can help.
Referral program
Know someone who needs QA Leadership? Refer them and get 10% commission on the first engagement.