Darren Kovalchik

Technical Writer | Software Engineering Leader
linkedin.com/in/kovalchik

Technical writer and software engineering leader with 18 years of experience in software engineering and technical communication. Possesses a robust skill set that includes technical writing, software architecture, and team management, complemented by proficiency in a wide range of programming languages and technologies, such as Typescript, JavaScript, Node, Python, and AWS. Has successfully led engineering teams and managed complex projects for high-profile clients, including Microsoft, Apple, and AWS, while fostering talent development and promoting agile methodologies within teams. Educational background in creative writing and specialized training in editing further enhance an ability to produce clear, concise documentation and training materials.

Skills

• Writing & Editing: Technical writing, developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading
• Technology: Typescript, JavaScript, Node, Python, Ruby, React, Angular, Ember, HTML, CSS, SQL, AWS, Django, Drupal, Next.js, Storybook
• Programs & Formats: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Figma, Miro, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, Confluence, Obsidian, Markdown, JSDocs, PlantUML, Mermaid
• Process: People management, team management, project management, software architecture, agile methodology, scrum, kanban

Experience

Slalom Build

Director of Software Engineering | 01/2022–06/2024

Created client proposals, organized training for software engineers, managed staffing and promotions for 15 team members, managed software engineering teams, and engaged with clients to assess staffing needs

• Created client proposals in PowerPoint by using internal style guides and researching relevant projects across offices
• Worked on an initiative organizing training programs to rapidly train engineers for client projects—the initial Flutter training led to the staffing of 12 team members in the Seattle and Orange County offices
• Managed the staffing, performance feedback, and promotion processes for a 15-person tree of managers and individual contributors, 10 of whom were promoted to more senior positions within the organization
• Managed engineering teams developing software using Typescript, Node, React, SQL, and AWS, while working with clients such as Microsoft, AWS, and Pennymac

Software Engineering Manager | 01/2017–12/2021

Developed and presented technical trainings, created executive presentations, managed staffing and promotions for 15 team members, and managed software engineering teams

• Organized, developed, and presented boot camp style trainings for React, Angular, Ember and other technologies
• Created internal PowerPoint presentations to build support among executives and grow the front-end engineering practice, increasing the skillset by 50% in 2 years
• Participated in discoveries with clients to determine technology stack, project duration, and team makeup
• Facilitated user story mapping sessions with clients and internal teams
• Created project architecture, process, and timeline diagrams using Miro, PlantUML, and Mermaid
• Worked with engineers and UX designers to create project style guides using Figma and Storybook
• Worked with UX leadership to defined processes that more closely integrated UX teams with the Agile software development cycle
• Managed the staffing, performance feedback, and promotion processes for a 15-person tree of managers and individual contributors, 8 of whom were promoted to more senior positions within the organization
• Managed software engineering teams for clients such as Apple, AWS, and Pennymac
• Architected complex software applications using Typescript, Node, React, SQL, MongoDB, AWS, and other technologies

Software Architect | 06/2015–12/2016

Documented features, reviewed team documentation, managed software engineering teams, architected software, and prioritized backlogs

• Documented feature and API functionality in inline code using JSDocs and Markdown
• Reviewed documentation and pull requests written by Slalom and client team members
• Managed software engineering teams for clients such as Apple and Expedia
• Architected complex software applications using Node, React, Ember, and other technologies
• Defined features, prioritized product backlogs, and led estimation sessions, using software such as Jira

Smashing Ideas

Associate Technical Director | 06/2014–06/2015

Developed Agile training workshops, facilitated user story mapping, prioritized backlogs, managed staffing for 2 contributors, and provided project oversight

• Developed and delivered training workshops and presentations about the Scrum process, helping to modernize the software engineering process at Boeing and Smashing Ideas
• Facilitated user story mapping sessions with clients and internal teams
• Defined features, prioritized product backlogs, and led estimation sessions
• Managed the staffing, performance feedback, and promotion processes for 2 individual contributors

Senior Software Engineer | 11/2013–05/2014

Helped create client proposals and RFP responses, developed sites with Python and Django, and interviewed software engineering candidates

• Involved with creating client proposals and responding to RFPs
• Developed sites using Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, while working with clients such as Microsoft and Penguin Random House

Software Engineer | 02/2012–10/2013

Developed websites using Python, Django, PHP, Drupal, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS

• Developed sites using Python, Django, PHP, Drupal, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
• Worked with clients such as Penguin Random House and Sony

Phinney Bischoff

Software Engineer | 03/2010–02/2012

Wrote blog entries on front-end engineering and developed advanced websites for local Seattle clients

• Leveraged personal expertise and experience to write and publish blog entries about front-end engineering on the Phinney Bischoff website
• Developed sites using PHP, Drupal, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, while working with clients such as the Bezos Family Foundation, Linfield College, and The Northwest School

Education

University of Washington

Certificate in Editing
Specialization in Developmental Editing

Western Washington University

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
Emphasis in Technical Writing
Certificate in Web Development