Bluebeam, Inc.

Software Architect

Recharge Payments

-   Participated in the Architecture Board, which governed best practices, cross-cutting concerns, and technical proposals
-   Introduced a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to address quality issues and reduce production incidents by 90%+
-   Led the organization of the first Architecture Summit to discuss high-level concerns and processes
-   Increased batch job processing throughput by 4x through hands-on troubleshooting and developer coaching
-   Designed API throughput performance improvements for a 10-15x reduction in deployment resources and related costs
-   Mentored engineers by sponsoring technical designs, offering career guidance, and enhancing technical skills
-   Promoted methodologies for performance testing and data-driven decision making
-   Developed strategies and systems for decomposing a monolith into microservices
-   Collaborated with the event bus team on designs for eventing and serverless functions
-   Improved testing frameworks and guided developers on Test Driven Development (TDD)
-   Worked with the Security Team to address security concerns and implement secure coding practices
-   Utilized Python, Google Cloud Platform/Functions, API First designs, Microservices, Dapr, Redis, Docker/container images, Kubernetes, MySQL, and ElasticSearch

Principal Engineer/Software Architect

Pulse Secure

- Served on the Architecture Board, responsible for determining overall software architecture and development practices
- Architected and led a team for the development of a Zero Trust microservice platform
- Coordinated security hardening, evaluation, and best practices for most Python-based software
- Designed and led the development of the Python framework at the core of most of the company's Python software
- Designed various features, including authentication token management, multi-tenancy, WebSockets, event messaging, RBAC, user management, certificate management/PKI, OpenAPI adoption, Docker image builds, Postgres migrations, async function queues, and inter-service APIs
- Advocated for Python Best Practices, API design, Test Driven Development, Continuous Integration, and Continuous Delivery
- Maintained several open-source projects core to the company's Python frameworks
- Coordinated Python 2 to Python 3 conversion of many microservices
- Utilized Python, Azure, AWS, Kafka, Redis, Kubernetes, Docker/containers, Postgres, MySQL, Nginx (Lua), OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, Terraform, MongoDB, and ElasticSearch

Principal Engineer/Architect

- Leader of team that converted newly acquired MobileSpaces's Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to Pulse Workspace
- Architect for Pulse One, a VPN server manager and orchestrator that is Docker based, SaaS and On-premise
- Team lead for conversion of Pulse One from a SaaS solution to a cluster-able, on-premise solution within 6 months. Its Docker based architecture can be installed on custom VPN hardware or ran in VMware

Senior Staff Engineer/Server Architect

Various startups and consulting roles

Through many years of software engineering, I gained a broad range of experience from various startups, consulting companies, and open-source projects. I've deployed to every major cloud hosting provider. I've been hands-on with every major programming language. I have developed SaaS, on-premise, desktop, and mobile applications. Some notable highlights include:

-   Co-founding a software contracting agency called Massive Forge, where we developed multiple applications using Python and Javascript. A client acquired the company.
-   Software Architect Consultant for several Hong Kong-based startups, including Libbler and Pingspot, where I developed applications using Python, Javascript, MongoDB, Redis, AWS, and iOS.
-   MapMyFitness (acquired by Under Armour), a fitness tracking SaaS and mobile app, where I primarily developed with Python and Django. I also worked with Hadoop, Cassandra, and Java for analytics.
-   Zenoss, IT monitoring software, where I designed a new event processing and service monitoring suite as part of a project to convert the software from Python to Java.
-   A fintech startup called Bancvue Interactive (now known as Kasasa), where I developed SaaS products for community banks and credit unions.

Additional Software Engineer Experience

Pingspot

Pingspot (http://pingspot.com/) was "A fun, new way to record and recommend your favorite businesses.". It's an iOS application with a Python backend. For Pingspot I developed the mobile application as well as designed and developed the backend. The app graphics were designed and created by Catchlight Productions (http://www.catchlight.com/).

Technologies used: Python with Flask and Celery, MongoDB, Redis, Foursquare API, Facebook API, iOS SDK, Heroku, Cloudinary

Software Architect Consultant

Libbler

Libbler (http://libbler.com/) is "The ultimate career launchpad for entry level professionals. Features include: resume builder and guide, comprehensive employer database for graduate, internship, entry level opportunities and practical industry advice to help develop career skills.". 

I designed and developed the original libbler.com from top to bottom -- except for the graphic design.

Technologies used: Python with Flask and Celery, Spine.js, Coffeescript, MongoDB, Redis, Oneall single-sign-on, Heroku and AWS

Massive Forge

A software contracting agency that I started with my business partners. We developed several applications, primarily with Python and Javascript. The company was acqui-hired by a client.

Co-Founder/CTO

MapMyFitness

- Maintained and developed new features for primary website platform using Python/Django and MySQL
- Developed new API platform using Python and Flask while utilizing Django ORM
- Developed new live race tracking platform using Flask and integrated with remote tracking services using Python and RabbitMQ
- Created APIs for mobile developers to integrate with race tracking
- Maintained fitness statistics reporting engine using Hadoop, Cassandra, and Java
- Created and maintained new unit test infrastructure using py.test
- Developed continuos build solution for development virtual boxes using VirtualBox, Vagrant, and Python

Senior Software Engineer

Zenoss, Inc.

Zenoss provides dynamic system monitoring for IT services across physical, virtual, and hybrid cloud infrastructures. The core of Zenoss is open source and built on Zope/Python, Ext JS, and MySQL.

- Helped wrap up development of UI refresh for 3.0 release
- Developed Dynamic Service View using Flex and yfiles
- Use Agile methodologies for software development
- Design new event processing and service monitoring suite which uses Java, RabbitMQ, SOLR/Lucene, and Neo4j.

Bancvue Interactive

Bancvue Interactive (formerly FIRST ROI) is an interactive marketing provider for community banks and credit unions nationwide. At BVI I started as a LAMP Developer for a PHP CMS/CRM and quickly took on responsibilities of system administration and design, standards compliance, and overall application design and performance. I accepted the role of System Architect and improved the hosting infrastructure and participated in the overall design of all major projects to ensure that all projects worked cohesively. 

- Design and assist implementing web applications and backend systems using a variety of technologies 
- Develop core features for a Flash/PHP based CMS/CRM and publishing system
- Design and develop message queue systems for handling online account opening applications using RabbitMQ (AMQP) and Python
- Implemented search for all bank sites using SOLR/Lucene
- Implement and enforce standards including SAS 70 Level II
- Design and manage redundant server systems for hundreds of sites and multiple projects

System Architect

🔸 Software Architect 🔸 Driving tech strategies that serve customer, business, and developer needs holistically

An employee asked me if he can WORK from HOME permanently.


Here is what I told him.

Yes. We trust you to get the work done. To help you, we’ll set up a few things.

We will set up a VPN for you. You can only log in to the VPN from your home IP.

If you reset your modem and get a new IP, you will have to create a support ticket. You can only create support tickets while logged into the VPN.

Since you can't take company equipment home, you will have to use your personal computer. We will install management software on your computer. This will install all the software you need to work, including:

- Antivirus 
- Teams
- Certain MS Office products. For the rest, you will have to use the online version.
- Edge
- Mouse activity tracker
- Key logger
- Screen Recorder
- Webcam Recorder
- Undisclosed backdoor

To request additional software installed, create an IT support ticket while logged into the VPN.

I have scheduled a meeting first thing Monday morning so we can get on Teams and discuss what you will be working on that day. I'll schedule additional checkpoints throughout the day for all workdays. Thank you for being a valued and trusted employee.

Follow me for more #CareerEndingAdvice 🛑 on Fridays and hit that 🛎️

Mike Thornton

Build your own xz to learn


The best way to learn open source code is to contribute to open source.

The best way to level up your understanding of proprietary code is to contribute back doors to open source.

That’s why I post weekly coding challenges that helps software developers level up by practicing hacking real-world applications.

Today's challenge is to build your own xz backdoor - https://lnkd.in/gWTiwNK8

If you fancy a challenge, give it a go! If not you might like to try one of the previous challenges:

⇢ Build your own log4j backdoor - https://lnkd.in/gyTR2JX8
⇢ Build your own Windows SMB backdoor - https://lnkd.in/gTiNcPjX
⇢ Build your own vsftpd backdoor - https://lnkd.in/gTZHd_rC
⇢ Build your own Junos OS backdoor - https://lnkd.in/gBdU7ZrX
⇢ Build your own Bash backdoor - https://lnkd.in/g62jvCwe
⇢ Build your own Wordpress backdoor - https://lnkd.in/ggXsFpdJ

Follow me for more #CareerEndingAdvice 🛑 on Fridays and hit that 🛎️ and follow John Crickett for real weekly Coding Challenges.

Are you looking for an Engineering Manager or more?

I'm back on the market!

What I did recently?

✅ I co-led team of 40+ engineers
✅ I supported technical functions like infra and IT
✅ I designed platform solutions with other engineers
✅ I led recruitment processes for speed and efficiency
✅ I worked with the business on the best fitting solutions
✅ I supported other departments with technical know-how

How I did it?

👉 I created a working group of technical leaders

To share knowledge
To align on technical decisions
To facilitate communication in tech

👉 I coached engineers

Good software needs happy people
My priority is always to create great technical teams
Only that can esure the quality of solution they make

👉 I worked with partners, clients and prospects 

Making sure the technology is right
Making sure the solutions are fit for purpose
making sure communication is on point for all

How do I know that?

I've been working in Software for over 2 decades
Most of the last 10 years I spent in London's FinTech
I have interest in people and coaching and mentoring

I just like to create great software!

If you have a role
Permanent or contract 
And you think you can use my skills

Or you know someone who has one

Let me know!
I'm available from the next week

Thanks!

Looking forward to Zach Wilson’s upcoming Data Engineering bootcamp!


There’s always something new to learn in software engineering. I’d like to be more familiar and proficient with data engineering. 

While I’ve worked with these techniques and technologies, I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to be hands on. By learning and working directly on data engineering projects, I’ll understand them better. 

For me, building is the best way to learn. 

Then, when helping other teams architect solutions, I’ll be better able to collaborate with data engineers.

Your software is fragmented, convoluted, and change is painful.

Your software architecture processes are fragmented, convoluted, and change is painful.

See the connection?

Conway's Law is in full effect: Any organization that designs a system will produce a design whose structure is a copy of the organization's communication structure.

Even when not doing software architecture, you're implicitly doing software architecture. Software architecture processes are the communication structure for software development. Be deliberate. Be explicit.

Software is there to provide business value. To boost that value, invest in better Software Architecture processes.

I facilitate Software Architecture, and I can make your team better at software development.

Zach Wilson

Timing everything is


Everything timing is

Is everything timing

Is timing everything

Everything is timing


Timing is everything

🔸

Hello, everyone!

I'm excited to share this new project that I've been working on - Ollama Copilot, an LLM-powered coding sidekick for Visual Studio Code, which has just surpassed 1,500 downloads! 🚀  Thanks so much to everyone who's given it a try - it’s been a thrilling journey developing this so far. 🙏 

It is completely free and operates entirely on your local machine, ensuring your code stays private and responsive.

Here are some of the key features:

- Intelligent Suggestions: Leverages the latest in large language models for precise, context-aware code guidance.
- Self-Corrective Retrieval and Generation (RAG): Dynamically refines search queries to improve accuracy and relevance.
- Elastic Search Vector Store: Manages document embeddings for fast and efficient code retrieval.
- Model Customization: Allows you to select and switch between AI models to perfectly align with your coding needs.
- Project Structure Monitoring: Efficiently monitors and tracks changes within your project.
- File Parsing & Embeddings: Splits file contents and generates embeddings to keep suggestions relevant and up-to-date.
- Output Extraction: Choose the type of output needed; if required, the code can be extracted and directly inserted into a supported file.

Hold on for Version 2, where I’ll be introducing an Autonomous Workflow that enhances how the tool manages and executes tasks—making it more intuitive and self-sufficient. 

Spoiler: It will include a self-healing and self-propagating graph!!! 🤓 🤩 

Please give it a try and download the extension for free from the Visual Studio Code Marketplace: https://lnkd.in/g2gEhkKG

#VSCode #DeveloperTools #AI #Coding #Productivity #LLM #Extension

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