Experience

USA Firmware

• United States
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal Embedded Software Engineer

  • Apr 2022 - Present

  As one of USA Firmware's Principal Embedded Software Engineers, I guide our clients through the successful design and implementation of modern embedded systems, as well as handling security concerns and upgrades for existing products. With the additional resources of USA Firmware, I can continue doing my best work for an even wider range of clients, on even more exciting projects! As one of USA Firmware's Principal Embedded Software Engineers, I guide our clients through the successful design and implementation of modern embedded systems, as well as handling security concerns and upgrades for existing products. With the additional resources of USA Firmware, I can continue doing my best work for an even wider range of clients, on even more exciting projects!



Hard Problems Group, LLC

• Henderson, NV

• President

  • Jul 2017 - Present

  President of a software development and system design consultancy focused on embedded systems and emerging technologies. On the embedded systems side, this is mostly media processing using GStreamer on embedded Linux systems. On the emerging technologies side, it's mostly distributed ledger technology (DLT) applications using Hyperledger Fabric, Sawtooth, and Ethereum. If you're wondering about the split in focus: don't be so sure there is one. President of a software development and system design consultancy focused on embedded systems and emerging technologies. On the embedded systems side, this is mostly media processing using GStreamer on embedded Linux systems. On the emerging technologies side, it's mostly distributed ledger technology (DLT) applications using Hyperledger Fabric, Sawtooth, and Ethereum. If you're wondering about the split in focus: don't be so sure there is one.



Konami Gaming, Inc.

• United States
• Gambling Facilities and Casinos
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Embedded Software Engineer III

  • Mar 2016 - Aug 2017

  Embedded Linux multimedia development specialist, leveraging multicast RTP, RTCP, VP8, and OPUS via custom GStreamer applications for wide deployment on ARM and x86 target hardware covering a ten-year span of OS variants up to then-present day. Embedded Linux multimedia development specialist, leveraging multicast RTP, RTCP, VP8, and OPUS via custom GStreamer applications for wide deployment on ARM and x86 target hardware covering a ten-year span of OS variants up to then-present day.



TIBCO

• United States
• Software Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior UI Engineer

  • Mar 2014 - Oct 2015

  TIBCO Jaspersoft produces modern, high-performance business intelligence solutions for top-tier companies around the world. I completed an extensive accessibility overhaul of much of the legacy front-end for section 508 compliance, as well as a lot of general front-end development and build system troubleshooting. I leveraged the WAI-ARIA extensions to HTML5 to provide support for Screen Readers such as JAWS, and also integrated better UI and contrast cues to help users with limited vision. TIBCO Jaspersoft produces modern, high-performance business intelligence solutions for top-tier companies around the world. I completed an extensive accessibility overhaul of much of the legacy front-end for section 508 compliance, as well as a lot of general front-end development and build system troubleshooting. I leveraged the WAI-ARIA extensions to HTML5 to provide support for Screen Readers such as JAWS, and also integrated better UI and contrast cues to help users with limited vision.



Xeraline, Inc.

• Oakland, CA

• President

  • Jun 2009 - Jun 2015

  Xeraline, Inc. provided Linux and Windows software engineering and embedded systems development services, as well as virtualization solutions for both legacy desktop/server systems and special application embedded platforms, primarily for the financial sector. Xeraline, Inc. provided Linux and Windows software engineering and embedded systems development services, as well as virtualization solutions for both legacy desktop/server systems and special application embedded platforms, primarily for the financial sector.



TastemakerX

• San Francisco, CA

• Lead Front-End Engineer

  • Jul 2013 - Jan 2014

  Leveraging Backbone and Node.js (and vacuuming up huge amounts of data from Twitter), TastemakerX provided an interesting way to explore music and keep up with your favorite bands. I implemented an inheritance-like mechanism for a dozen or so media embedding formats, simplifying inclusion of these artifacts into an infinite scroll page. Six months after completing this work, TastemakerX was acquired by Rdio. Leveraging Backbone and Node.js (and vacuuming up huge amounts of data from Twitter), TastemakerX provided an interesting way to explore music and keep up with your favorite bands. I implemented an inheritance-like mechanism for a dozen or so media embedding formats, simplifying inclusion of these artifacts into an infinite scroll page. Six months after completing this work, TastemakerX was acquired by Rdio.



Ecast

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Software Engineer

  • Jul 2009 - Mar 2012

  Ecast developed and deployed a network of over 10,000 digital jukeboxes to venues around America, using Agile development processes. Development technologies included C++, C#, Flash, and Flex. Primarily, I worked on the Embedded XP operating system images and some custom hardware drivers and interface code in C and C++ for the special daughterboards based on the Cypress EZ-USB that bridged the commodity embedded PC motherboards to vending industry peripherals and various audio devices. Ecast developed and deployed a network of over 10,000 digital jukeboxes to venues around America, using Agile development processes. Development technologies included C++, C#, Flash, and Flex. Primarily, I worked on the Embedded XP operating system images and some custom hardware drivers and interface code in C and C++ for the special daughterboards based on the Cypress EZ-USB that bridged the commodity embedded PC motherboards to vending industry peripherals and various audio devices.



TechShop, Inc.

• United States
• Consumer Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Special Projects

  • Nov 2007 - Nov 2008

  As Director of Special Projects, I was in charge of the design and implementation of custom software, firmware, and electronics to support business operations and brand image for a membership-based chain of prototyping and project workshops. I leveraged these skills for the benefit the company, for our members directly, and for selected external clients, such as the TED conferences. (Please note that TechShop filed for bankruptcy in 2017, but many of the individual shops have re-formed.) As Director of Special Projects, I was in charge of the design and implementation of custom software, firmware, and electronics to support business operations and brand image for a membership-based chain of prototyping and project workshops. I leveraged these skills for the benefit the company, for our members directly, and for selected external clients, such as the TED conferences. (Please note that TechShop filed for bankruptcy in 2017, but many of the individual shops have re-formed.)



Universal Electronics

• United States
• Computers and Electronics Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Software Engineer

  • Aug 2005 - Oct 2007

  Lead the development of a modular filter architecture for an embedded Linux multimedia SDK, including a socket-oriented messaging system and related internal architecture. Developed ALSA output filters and integrated both MADLib and mpg123 MP3 decoders into reference implementations. Most of this was coded in an object-oriented C style that I was largely responsible for guiding. Also responsible for much of the initial technical writing and SDK documentation. Lead the development of a modular filter architecture for an embedded Linux multimedia SDK, including a socket-oriented messaging system and related internal architecture. Developed ALSA output filters and integrated both MADLib and mpg123 MP3 decoders into reference implementations. Most of this was coded in an object-oriented C style that I was largely responsible for guiding. Also responsible for much of the initial technical writing and SDK documentation.



Meda Systems Inc

• United States
• Software Development

• Senior Software Engineer

  • Jun 2003 - Jul 2005

  Lead the multi-zone audio technology effort for the Meda Bravo series of multi-zone media servers. Also lead latency-compensation research for MP3-over-Ethernet streaming to devices such as the Barix ExStreamer. Awards: Best Music Server 2004 (Electronic House) Best Distributed Audio Technology 2004 (Electronic House) Product of the Year 2005 See CNET for brief review video ("Meda Bravo"). Lead the multi-zone audio technology effort for the Meda Bravo series of multi-zone media servers. Also lead latency-compensation research for MP3-over-Ethernet streaming to devices such as the Barix ExStreamer. Awards: Best Music Server 2004 (Electronic House) Best Distributed Audio Technology 2004 (Electronic House) Product of the Year 2005 See CNET for brief review video ("Meda Bravo").



Crystal Engineering

• United States
• Automation Machinery Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Software Engineer

  • Jun 2001 - May 2003

  Created systems to bootload, characterize, calibrate, and certify digital pressure calibrators using a Thermotron environmental chamber and DHI pressure controllers. This system automated a complex and laborious manual process used to test and characterize silicon strain-gauge sensors used for high-precision pressure measurement from vacuum to 15,000 PSI (DTG-1 series). Also wrote a custom bootloader for the PIC16F84 microcontroller, various extensive data logging and monitoring solutions based around GNUPlot, and utilized Livingston Portmasters to slave 70 RS232 instruments to Ethernet for remote control of testing. Show less



Surveyor Corporation

• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Software Development Lead

  • Jul 1998 - Aug 2001

  First engineer hired by former Xing founder and CEO Howard Gordon. Developed video-delivery and motion-tracking software for Windows and Linux, including shared-memory reflection techniques. Developed and implemented acceleration models for PIC16F84 microcontroller-based "Transit RCM" pan/tilt unit. Recruited additional engineers for complex projects. Started and assisted a variety of prototype projects and evaluations. Helped company grow from a single temporary building to a 40+ person corporation. Show less



WaveQuest, Inc.

• Software Developer, Graphics

  • Jun 1997 - Jul 1998

  Developed and optimized tools and engines for video games on the PC, including SegaSoft's early Internet gaming system, "HEAT.NET", and the SNES. PC titles used C++, DirectX, and a lot of MMX assembly. Replaced the map editor "TUME" (The Ultimate Map Editor) with an in-house tool, "LAME" (the Latest Attempted Map Editor), enabling much higher quality level maps. High-pressure, high-workload environment. Company ended due to funding being pulled; "Terra Victus" shipped a playable demo which can still be found. Titles: Terra Victus (graphics, optimization, special-effects, some sound effects); Alien Race (GUI, graphics, cheat/test codes); Bronkie (misc. code; testing). Also provided voicework for "Terra Victus" as the voice of Maximillion von Harmer, mad dictator of Neo-Earth. (Please note that this fulfills the "has played the role of a mad dictator at least once before" requirement many HR departments have for senior staff positions.) Show less



California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Software Development Specialist

  • Jan 1996 - Jun 1997

  Computer Aided Decision-making Research Center (CADRC), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA. Software Development Specialist on the ICODES stowplanning system for the Navy and the FEAT4 simulation/battlefield visualization system for the Marine Corps. C++ "expert agent" systems for the Common Operating Environment (AIX/HP-UX). Computer Aided Decision-making Research Center (CADRC), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA. Software Development Specialist on the ICODES stowplanning system for the Navy and the FEAT4 simulation/battlefield visualization system for the Marine Corps. C++ "expert agent" systems for the Common Operating Environment (AIX/HP-UX).