Experience

Zapper Games
• United States
• Computer Games
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Gameplay Programmer

  • Feb 2022 - Present


Donkey Whisper Productions

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Technical Director

  • Nov 2017 - Present

  • Gameplay and level design for Project OVA and Pixture Perfect (both currently in development). • Work with Unreal Engine 4 to design and implement gameplay elements such as multi-platform character control, dynamic combat systems, visual character health tracking, rapid-prototyping system for puzzles, state-based AI, procedural level generation, and other systems. • Build core game infrastructure and additional functionality using Unreal Engine Blueprints and C++. • Design both independent and interacting systems which enable immersive and emergent gameplay. • Communicate with artists and programmers to create a pipeline for delivery of gameplay assets. • Tool development to support project management, issue reporting, and scheduling. • Maintain IT infrastructure supporting a file server and multiple workstations, as well as online development resources. • Research and development of gameplay systems and technologies to support future projects. Show less



Puny Human

• United States
• Computer Games
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Game Developer (Software Engineering)

  • Jan 2020 - Jan 2022

  • Designed and implemented minigames and other gameplay features for a yet-to-be-announced 3D social deduction game by DApp Evolution.• Designed and built account statistics and experience plugin using PlayFab API• Developed games and game-adjacent applications for clients on a per contract basis.• Built dedicated server backend to work with Steamworks server discovery.• Implemented new systems for event handling, character interaction, and role assignment.• Implemented UE4 voice chat with positional audio.• Built single-/multi-player AI opponent system for Full Metal Overdrive racing game, including decision-making algorithims, inventory management, and environment-aware behaviors. (UE4, blueprints & C++)• Helped refactor single- and multi-player UI menu system for Aquanox: Deep Descent, to improve performance, enhance user experience, and implement new functionality. (UE4, blueprints & C++)• Built a fullstack web-based graphics editing application from scratch, using JavaScript and Node.js, for Flagmaker & Print.• Helped to implement Agora voice and video streaming, along with Unreal pixel streaming technologies, for GathR remote conferencing platform. (UE4, blueprints & C++) Show less

• Quality Assurance Analyst

  • Sep 2019 - Jan 2020

  • QA for Trover Saves The Universe on Xbox and Switch platforms. (https://www.troversavestheuniverse.com/)• QA for Killer Queen Black on Xbox platform. (http://www.killerqueenblack.com/)• AI Programmer for Full Metal Overdrive from DEADLIFT Studios. (http://deadliftgamestudios.com/)• Fullstack programmer for unreleased app from Kaiser Cat Cinema. (https://kaisercatcinema.com/)• UI Programmer on Aquanox Deep Descent from Digital Arrow. (https://digital-arrow.com/)• Create and maintain test cases, test plans, and related documentation for maximum coverage and testing efficiency.• Design and execute both planned and ad hoc test cases covering gameplay, features, user experience, certification requirements, technical requirements, cross-platform parity, and overall quality.• Communicate with development partners to ensure testing accommodates the product vision and adheres to standards of quality.• Work with production and development teams to research specific requirements for porting titles to Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Sony PlayStation platforms. Show less



Epic Games

• United States
• Computer Games
• 700 & Above Employee

• Player Support Representative

  • Feb 2018 - Mar 2019

  • Manage player support interactions via email for Epic products and services. • Communicate externally with customers and internally across teams to address customer issues, with an emphasis on same-day positive resolutions. • Provide useful contextual summaries in weekly department-wide stand-up meetings along with twice-monthly team meetings. • Work in a multi-tiered support environment and with specialized teams to ensure effective and efficient communication about customer issues. • Help to identify and resolve emerging issues across an extensive customer base both by monitoring customer tickets as well as social media and independent product testing. • Use Jira and Trello, along with related tools, to track known issues as they are addressed and resolved. • Act as subject matter expert for customer issues related specifically to technical support. Promoted to Agent Assistant and given additional responsibilities (described below). • Help manage a team of up to 8 Player Support Representatives. • Keep track of hours and vacation/sick time for team members. • Act as first point of contact for escalated issues. • Monitor support tickets handled by team, to identify emerging trends and unidentified issues. Show less



Target

• Mexico
• Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Representative

  • Jun 2017 - Feb 2018

  • Managed Electronics Department of Target retail store. • First point of contact for customers interested in learning more about electronic products and services offered by Target. • Responsible for driving sales by identifying customer needs and highlighting compatible products and add-ons. • Organized and maintained product displays both for temporary promotions and permanent shelf positions. • Helped to identify opportunities for additional promotions and improvements to the electronics department. Show less



Lenovo

• China
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Lead Test Engineer

  • Oct 2014 - Jun 2017

  * Installed and tested functionality of firmware for EFI, on-board service-processor and diagnostic tools as well as systems management software.* Wrote test cases to expose defective functionality and ensure products adhered to approved design documentation.* Configured testing environments using physical and virtual servers and networking components in order to effectively replicate approved customer usage scenarios.* Created scripts to improve testing efficiency and automate tasks where possible.* Worked with team members to delegate testing responsibilities in order to meet project deadlines.* Spent 5 weeks in Beijing training a new test team to bring them up to speed on existing products and testing procedures.* Worked with a small team building a new testing program to more accurately observe the most likely customer experiences. Show less

• Subject-Matter Expert Validation Engineer

  • Aug 2015 - May 2017

  * Built use cases for new and existing product lines which accurately reflected common customer usage scenarios.* Wrote test cases which simulate common customer activities for defined use cases.* Worked to build and maintain an expert-level understanding of supported product lines.* Researched software and technology used by customers in order to efficiently replicate customer usage scenarios in lab.* Mentored engineers to develop skills necessary for test case execution.* Worked with teams in multiple geographic locations to build a standardized testing environment.* Worked with team to develop tools which improve efficiency and coverage of test case execution.* Experimented with new and emerging technologies both to discover possible testing applications and also to compare against supported product lines in order to stay competitive. Show less



IBM

• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Firmware Test Engineer

  • May 2011 - Oct 2014

  * Install and test functionality of firmware for EFI, on-board service-processor and diagnostic tools as well as system management software. * Execute tests designed to expose defects in the reliability, security and user interface of products. * Test software and firmware before release to ensure that projected functionality is implemented as expected. * Work with development to find root cause for defective behavior in firmware and software and to improve product design with the goal of providing a reliable and effective user experience. * Work with team to improve product documentation for end users. * Look for opportunities to test functionality beyond what is defined in test cases. * Look for missed functionality and suggest new functions to improve the user experience. Show less



Atlantic Creative Communications

• Canada
• Movies, Videos, and Sound

• Manager of IT, Manager of Audio Production

  • Dec 2008 - Apr 2011

  * Maintained a small business computer network composed of both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh desktop and laptop computers. * Managed network servers running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. * Managed Linux-based NAS devices to provide central on-site file storage as well as offsite file backup. * Utilized Group Policy, WSUS, scripting and other Domain Services to protect up to 9 users and 11 computers from security threats. * Planned and executed the transition from a local customer database program to an online CRM. * Set up and managed a Google Apps for Business account. Also managed several websites. * Worked with customers, script writers and voice artists to produce high-quality audio for on-hold and overhead messaging and music solutions. * Installed and provided remote support for deployed media players including On-Hold and Overhead music, On-Demand messaging and Digital Signage players. Show less



Anything PC

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Technician and Sales Associate

  • Sep 2007 - Dec 2008

  * Diagnose computer-related issues with home-use and small-business PCs, both in-house and on-site. * Interact with customers, both in person and on the phone, to help troubleshoot computer issues, or sell retail merchandise. * Consult home-users and small-businesses to help them design and implement new computer and network systems. * Keep track of retail inventory, staying abreast of the latest technology and techniques in the IT field. * Diagnose computer-related issues with home-use and small-business PCs, both in-house and on-site. * Interact with customers, both in person and on the phone, to help troubleshoot computer issues, or sell retail merchandise. * Consult home-users and small-businesses to help them design and implement new computer and network systems. * Keep track of retail inventory, staying abreast of the latest technology and techniques in the IT field.



K-12 Data Center South Dakota Department of Education

• Student Worker

  • Aug 2006 - Oct 2006

  * Designed and implemented websites using HTML and ASP.Net. * Built web services to access and edit SQL databases, in a secured network. * Redesigned old web services to implement new technology. * Designed and implemented websites using HTML and ASP.Net. * Built web services to access and edit SQL databases, in a secured network. * Redesigned old web services to implement new technology.



Dakota State University Dining Service / Aramark Food Service

• Student Manager

  • Nov 2005 - Feb 2006

  * Took orders, cooked food, cleaned work area, balanced tills at the termination of shifts. * Supervised 3-4 other workers during the shift, maintaining a safe, professional working environment. * Dealt with customer complaints and other problems which arose, to ensure uninterrupted operation of dining service. * Took orders, cooked food, cleaned work area, balanced tills at the termination of shifts. * Supervised 3-4 other workers during the shift, maintaining a safe, professional working environment. * Dealt with customer complaints and other problems which arose, to ensure uninterrupted operation of dining service.



Laser Cut Inc.

• United States

• CNC Laser Operator

  • Aug 2000 - Jan 2003

  * Operated a Computer-Numeric-Controlled laser, editing and updating pre-programming routines to produce the highest-quality end product. * Installed and maintained a computer network to connect CNC laser to database computer, allowing easy transfer of cutting programs. * Operated a Computer-Numeric-Controlled laser, editing and updating pre-programming routines to produce the highest-quality end product. * Installed and maintained a computer network to connect CNC laser to database computer, allowing easy transfer of cutting programs.



Taco John's International

• Restaurants
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Supervisor

  • Apr 2000 - Aug 2000

  * Took orders, cooked food, cleaned work area, balanced tills at the termination of shifts. * Dealt with problems and complaints which arose, to maintain a swift flow of customers. * Supervised 3-8 crew members. * Took orders, cooked food, cleaned work area, balanced tills at the termination of shifts. * Dealt with problems and complaints which arose, to maintain a swift flow of customers. * Supervised 3-8 crew members.



Larry's PC Repair

• PC Technician

  • Nov 1999 - Apr 2000

  * Assembled and tested personal computers for home and office use. * Identified and resolved hardware- and software-related problems with PCs. * Upgraded and maintained computer systems, both in the store and on-site. * Set up Windows-based computer networks for home and office use. * Assembled and tested personal computers for home and office use. * Identified and resolved hardware- and software-related problems with PCs. * Upgraded and maintained computer systems, both in the store and on-site. * Set up Windows-based computer networks for home and office use.



Computer E-Z

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Student Worker

  • Dec 1998 - Jun 1999

  * Assembled and tested personal computers for home and office use. * Mentored under PC repair technicians to learn about computer maintenance and repair. * Used techniques learned during mentorship to troubleshoot problems with computers brought into the store. * Assembled and tested personal computers for home and office use. * Mentored under PC repair technicians to learn about computer maintenance and repair. * Used techniques learned during mentorship to troubleshoot problems with computers brought into the store.