Senior Software Engineer
Cengage Group - Remote
March 2024- March 2025
Created a new assessment engine and courseware platform, consolidating many platforms to result in approximately $10M savings and supporting about $500M annual revenue. Designed and delivered a content conversion service to transform hundreds of thousands of assessment items into a modernized platform, leading to $1.5M in company savings. Created and rendered new assessment building tools for instructor created content using Java / ReactJS. Helmed scrum master duties, mentored colleagues on code maintainability and delivery, and fostered cross-functional team building and communication.
- Architected and implemented XML to JSON conversion code using a Java Spring backend, MySQL repository, and RESTful API calls to in-house services, leading to significant company savings over manual transformation efforts.
- Created a secure API facade layer for in-house services utilizing a YAML schema to define an allow list of HTTP methods and authenticated users, facilitating significant platform security enhancements.
- Led the development of media transfer, including images, videos, and HTML animations, to a modern media repository using Java Spring and Hyland Software’s Alfresco API, increasing rendering speeds and media security.
- Transformed and created a new pronunciation feature that allowed students to test their vocal pronunciation skills, which saved company expenditures compared to the previous implementation.
- Orchestrated epics for content conversion and rendering features in an agile environment, leading to better delegation of tasks within the team and increased sprint velocity.
Software Engineer
Cengage Group - Clifton Park, NY / Remote
February 2017 - March 2024
Maintained the suite of Cengage MindTap applications using Spring, ReactJS, and AngularJS, delivering on the core functionality of Cengage’s online assessment platform and continuously increasing customer engagement.
- Converted a gradebook application from AngularJS to ReactJS, achieving better code readability and load times.
- Developed / maintained a minimalist online assessment platform called 4LTR using AngularJS and Spring, which provided an entry point for newly marketed instructors to the suite of Cengage student assessment platforms.
Associate Tools Engineer
Vicarious Visions - Albany, NY
November 2015 - November 2016
Lead developer of visual scripting software automation testing (C#) and game code contributor (C++) for Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Skylanders: Imaginators.
- Utilized C# testing frameworks to implement automation testing within our proprietary visual scripting game design software, ensuring bugs were not introduced to core logic during game development.
- Implemented a kerning algorithm in C++ for text within Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, leading to a more user-friendly reading experience for game players.
- Ideated and implemented a variable watch list for visual scripting flows, allowing game designers to debug their visual code more efficiently.
- Directed and created a top-down asymmetric game called Stampede Street during a company game jam, which won the award for Excellence in Asymmetric Gameplay and fostered novel ideas for future released games.
Software Developer
NIC, Inc. - Nashville, TN
September 2014 - November 2015
Developed a suite of applications used by the Tennessee State Government, including applications for Common Core Standards, official campaign finance contribution software, bill tracking, a license plate gift card service, and the Tennessee Drug Offender Registry Database.
- Architected the MySQL database and wrote the code for the Common Core Standards feedback review application, allowing instructors and other users to provide feedback on the effectiveness of Common Core Standards used within schools.
- Led the development of a Tennessee license plate gift card service, utilizing Java PDF libraries to create downloadable gift cards.
- Refactored and added new features to the Tennessee campaign finance contribution website, creating a more user-friendly experience for campaign contributors.
- Converted the Tennessee Drug Offender Registry Database application from legacy Struts to modern Spring, ensuring better security and code readability for future developers.