Work

Phoenix Labs

Principal Programmer

October, 2023 - May, 2024

Architected gRPC/REST APIs using Google Cloud (Kubernetes, Agones) and integrated them into UE5, optimizing client-server interactions and improving API performance by 30%.
Reduced cloud resource costs by 28% through efficient scaling strategies, targeted resource allocation, and managed deployment pipelines to support seamless playtests.
Led a team of 2 senior engineers and managed cross-team collaboration and task allocation to evolve a prototype into a scalable production game.
Trained my team of 2 on Unreal Engine 5. Both engineers led UE features and exceeded team expectations after training.

Senior Online Services Programmer

July, 2018 - November, 2020

Led the development and integration of online services across PlayStation, Stadia, Steam, and Xbox platforms, managing a 30+ year-old C++ engine alongside C# and Python tools.
Managed online services supporting GaaS features like purchasing, account management, inventory, and micro-patching.
Upgraded the legacy C++ engine from C++98 to C++11, delivering a 3% game-wide performance boost by collaborating with engineering leadership and QA to regression test and validate functionality.
Achieved a 1500% server-side and 500% client-side performance improvement through optimization, caching, and strategic operation timing.
Led a cross-functional team of engineers and contractors across 6 time zones, covering build, game client, tools, and backend development, while collaborating with Montreal’s "Online Suite" team to integrate centralized online technology.
Contributed to the record-breaking beta launch, with 6M unique users, setting PlayStation's record for most downloaded beta.
Ensured a seamless global launch by resolving critical platform, backend, and data issues, particularly in purchasing and data scheduling.

Lead Software Engineer

August, 2017 - May, 2018

Built a unified C# codebase for a real-time battle arena game using Unity 3D and .NET Core, while optimizing developer efficiency across backend services and mobile clients (Android/iOS) via unit and integration testing.
Contributed to cross-studio Unity 3D C# core technologies by improving tween libraries and dependency injection methods, resulting in increased developer productivity.
Launched a global mobile (Android/iOS) title using a C++ engine and a Python Django REST API backend.
Influenced new game developments by pitching innovative technologies to executive leadership and refining game designs for niche market fit.

Senior Server Engineer

March, 2016 - August, 2017

Developed a container-based C# REST API, enhancing deployment flexibility on AWS and enabling local services for all developers.
Built a core technology team and streamlined centralized C# online game services by standardizing key features (purchasing, player identity, custom player data) across all backend services for Unity 3D titles on Android/iOS.
Created technical design documentation for backend game features and established best practices, including code review and unit and integration test pipelines.
Optimized TCP socket communication, reducing bandwidth consumption by 85% and increasing user capacity by 4000%.

Software Engineer

January, 2014 - March, 2016

Developed C++ libraries for all Blizzard teams, including WebSockets, telemetry, inter-process communication, payment systems, and experimental audio authentication, while providing integration support and adapting libraries based on team feedback.
Contributed to a company-wide fork of the C++ and LUA Premake project, allowing compilation of cross-platform libraries with minimal configuration.
Collaborated with technical writers to establish a styled Doxygen documentation flow for the Battle.net department, setting a standard for engineering documentation moving forward.
Created an off-screen shared graphics memory rendering system using the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF), integrating it into World of Warcraft, Warcraft 3, and Starcraft: Remastered.

Lead Server Engineer

September, 2013 - December, 2013

Collaborated with leadership to create a Python and MySQL REST API service for the iOS game Tank Nation.
Established a Puppet-based deployment system for AWS.

Lead Server Engineer

March, 2013 - September, 2013

Created analytical and gameplay logic REST API systems using PHP and Zend framework.
Integrated API and additional features into Bingo (iOS, Android) and Slots (iOS, Android).
Improved MySQL indexing and data structures and added new gameplay modes to Arms Cartel (iOS).
Advised leadership on technology choices and cost reductions while designing new mobile titles.

Senior Software Engineer

November, 2012 - February, 2013

Created a web interface for users to create triggers that specified analytical and A/B testing events.
Optimized MySQL queries to improve application performance.
Built a payment verification system with vendor APIs, backed by a MySQL cluster.
Created Unity 3D integration for PlayPhone's proprietary mobile SDK and payment APIs.

Server Engineer

September, 2011 - October, 2012

Developed game features in a REST API on a LAMP stack using MySQL and PHP.
Integrated Facebook, Google+, and DemonWare APIs.
Launched web games Ghost Recon Commander (Facebook, Ubisoft) and Pettington Park (Google+, Zynga).
Collaborated with publishers to prioritize game features and assess game milestone goals.

Associate Software Engineer

September, 2010 - July, 2011

Integrated bug fixes and features into the PVP.net platform service, which powers League of Legends (Windows, Mac).
Created MySQL scripts to denormalize player data into JSON entries, increasing data read & write speeds.
Lead establishment of the Build Team, which provided continuous integration builds via an Ant & Maven build system and Jenkins build pipeline.

Senior Network Engineering Manager

Invalid Date, NaN - Present

Integrated Epic Games, PlayStation, Steam, and Xbox platforms for a UE4 title, enabling a successful global launch and DLC releases, including features like player identity, purchasing, achievements, and presence.
Developed an Unreal Engine plugin for online subsystems, supporting multiple titles, studios, and platforms with leaderboards, achievements, telemetry, and micro-patching.
Led a team of 8 to develop multiplayer and backend features in C#, C++, and Unreal Engine, while standardizing onboarding, workflows, and multi-project plugins.
Oversaw live operations for a global UE title, resolving critical issues and ensuring smooth multi-platform deployments.
Ensured storefront compliance and collaborated with PR to manage ratings with global regulatory bodies.
Automated integration tests and built telemetry pipelines, providing data-driven insights for performance and game tuning.
Implemented Krafton ID for entitlement rewards via QR code scanning and token verification, improving player engagement.