Darren Kovalchik
Software Engineering Leader
linkedin.com/in/kovalchik
Software engineering leader with 18 years of experience in software development and technical communication. Possesses a robust skill set that includes software architecture, team management, and technical writing, complemented by proficiency in a wide range of programming languages and technologies, such as Typescript, JavaScript, Node, 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.
Experience
Slalom Build
Director | 01/2022–06/2024
Managed staffing and promotions for 15 team members, managed software engineering teams, engaged with clients to assess staffing needs, created client proposals, and organized training for engineers.
- 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
- Acted in an engagement management role on projects, working with clients in an ongoing basis to determine 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
Key projects
- Pennymac: Managed multiple teams developing loan processing software using AWS, Typescript, and React, while working with stakeholders to identify backlog requirements, prioritization goals, and build timelines
- Microsoft: Managed a team developing mapping and planning software using .NET, React, and Next.js
- Sorenson Communications: Managed a team developing a mobile iOS and Android application to interpret stress levels based on voice analyzation using React Native and AWS
Software Engineering Manager | 01/2017–12/2021
Managed staffing and promotions for 15 team members, managed software engineering teams, designed the architecture of complex software applications, and developed and presented technical trainings.
- 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
- Designed the architecture of complex software applications using Typescript, Node, React, SQL, MongoDB, AWS, and other technologies
- Interviewed and screened software engineering candidates for multiple office locations with a focus on increasing the number of engineers familiar with modern web technologies, eventually accounting for 40% of hires
- Organized and coordinated front-end development events and initiatives, including cross-office leadership meetings, round-table discussions, and speaker series
- Worked with UX leadership to define processes that more closely integrated UX teams with the software engineering cycle
- 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 development practice, increasing the skill-set by 50% in 2 years
- Participated in discoveries with clients to determine technology stack, project duration, and team makeup
- 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
Key projects
- Apple Maps: Managed a team developing issue management software using React, Mapbox, and Electron, while working with stakeholders to identify needs for new applications and features
- JRCS: Managed a team developing a mobile iOS prototype using Unity, C#, machine learning, and hardware integration
- First Republic Bank: Managed a team developing accounting software using Node, Angular, and MongoDB
Architect | 06/2015–12/2016
Managed software engineering teams, designed the architecture of software, prioritized backlogs, documented features, and reviewed team documentation,
- Managed software engineering teams for clients such as Apple and Expedia
- Designed the architecture of complex software applications using Node, React, Ember, and other technologies
- Defined features, prioritized product backlogs, and led estimation sessions, using software such as Jira
- Documented feature and API functionality in inline code using JSDocs and Markdown
- Reviewed documentation and pull requests written by Slalom and client team members in GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket
Key project
- Expedia: Architect of a team developing software to manage promotional products using Ember.js
Smashing Ideas
Associate Technical Director | 06/2014–06/2015
Managed staffing for 2 contributors, provided project oversight, developed Scrum training workshops, and facilitated user story mapping
- Managed the staffing, performance feedback, and promotion processes for 2 individual contributors
- Provided technical oversight of projects and helped define products for clients such as Boeing and the Allen Institute
- Defined features, prioritized product backlogs, and led estimation sessions
- Developed and delivered training workshops and presentations about the Scrum development process, helping to modernize the development process at Boeing and Smashing Ideas
- Facilitated user story mapping sessions with clients and internal teams
Key project
- Boeing: Managed a team developing educational software using Unity and Ember.js
Senior Developer | 11/2013–05/2014
Developed sites with Python and Django, interviewed software engineering candidates, and helped create client proposals and RFP responses
- Developed sites using Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, while working with clients such as Microsoft and Penguin Random House
- Interviewed and screened software engineering candidates and contractors
- Involved with creating client proposals and responding to RFPs
Key projects
- Microsoft: Developed a mobile-first store prototype using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Penguin Random House: Developed the Random House Kids website using Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Penguin Random House: Developed a prototype educational platform using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
UI Developer | 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
- Implemented SEO techniques in websites by using HTML best practices and optimizing content for keywords
- Worked with clients such as Penguin Random House and Sony
Key project
- Penguin Random House: Developed the Junie B. Jones website using Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
Phinney Bischoff
Interactive Developer | 03/2010–02/2012
Developed advanced websites for local Seattle clients and wrote blog entries on front-end development
- 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
- Leveraged personal expertise and experience to write and publish blog entries about front-end development on the Phinney Bischoff website
Key projects
- Bezos Family Foundation: Developed the Bezos Family Foundation website using Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Linfield College: Developed an interactive map using JavaScript
SEOmoz
UI Engineer | 06/2009–12/2009
Created advanced UIs using Ruby on Rails and JavaScript, including a custom graphing library
- Developed advanced user interfaces for the SEOmoz platform using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Developed a custom graphic JavaScript graphing library for displaying data and trends on customer dashboards
Total Creative Inc.
Web Developer | 08/2006–06/2009
Developed websites for Seattle area clients using WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, MySql, HTML, and CSS
Key projects
- Denny Triangle Neighborhood: Developed the Denny Triangle neighborhood website using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Downtown Seattle Association: Developed multiple websites using JavaScript, Flash, ActionScript, HTML, and CSS
Education
Western Washington University
Certificate in Web Development
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
Emphasis in Technical Writing
University of Washington
Certificate in Editing
Specialization in Developmental Editing