Worked on kubernetes/kubernetes to deliver two targeted features focused on reliability and stability. Upgraded the CSI Proxy dependency to v1.2.1-gke.2, addressing known issues in the proxy layer and improving cluster reliability by validating changes across CI and GKE environments. Enhanced test robustness by introducing retry logic to crictl version checks, reducing flaky CI runs and accelerating release feedback loops. Leveraged Go, Kubernetes, and Shell Scripting to implement and validate these changes, ensuring compatibility and maintainability. Documented all upgrades and test improvements to support future onboarding and traceability, contributing to a more stable and predictable release process.