Reading, England, United Kingdom
Innovative and collaborative software engineer with a strong focus on data engineering, cloud infrastructure, and crash analytics. Adept at designing scalable microservices, orchestrating complex Azure DevOps pipelines, and leading initiatives in data warehousing and telemetry. Recognised for a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a passion for knowledge sharing through tooling, documentation, and humour-infused team engagement. Cloud based Environment: Microsoft Azure Infrastructure as code: ARM, bicep RDBMS Administration: ORACLE DB2 Microsoft SQL Server Query Language: Oracle SQL DB2 SQL Kusto (Azure Data Explorer) Data Visualisation: SQL Server Reporting Services Power BI Programming: C# Fortran C Python PowerShell PL/SQL T-SQL Oracle and DB2 Trigger programming Korn Shell C++ JSP Catia GII,IUA and CATGEO Science: Chemistry
Responsible for architecting a crash warehousing system for Xbox games using Azure Data Factory and Durable Functions with a dedicated sub-team whilst championing best practices for the larger team for development (coding standards) and CI/CD deployment using a combination of AzureDevOps (yaml) and Infrastructure as Code (ARM/Bicep). I also developed PowerBI reports for actionable data visualization backed by Azure Data Explorer (Kusto) and DAX as well as several Kusto-based functions to help analyse performance telemetry. My contributions significantly improved data handling and visualization capabilities within the team. An interesting side-project was a DirectX-based (C++) application to assess cognitive response to stalls in frame rendering.
During this period, I focused on analysing game telemetry data to improve player experiences. By utilizing Hive/Hadoop querying of raw game telemetry data and advanced visualization tools (Excel Power Map and PowerBI), I created heatmaps for the Minecraft Dungeons team that highlighted problems in player navigation and player-environment collision clustering patterns. This analysis aimed to enhance navigation by identifying areas where players faced difficulties enabling faster data-driven changes to be implemented, showcasing my ability to leverage data for actionable insights. I also created an experimental Python framework for innovative road-boundary detection in gaming using Deep Q learning techniques as well as developing several WPF-C# based applications focussed on data quality, performance telemetry from in-game hardware and real-time network game telemetry debugging. A smaller PowerShell project involved automated analysis of available storage for multiple file shares with a simple emailer to draw attention to those with low capacity.
The intention was to lead and mentor the existing QA team in best practice and technical decisions made during the testing of RESTFUL API micro-services. This began with defining engineering and testing processes, tools, and best practices on a Linux-based platform and combining data analytics and automation to improve test coverage and system reliability. This resulted in being only a short-term posting as the company were unfortunately experiencing financial difficulties.
I was responsible for analysing game telemetry data for Forza Horizon singleplayer and multiplayer third-person and first-person racing games, concentrating on performance metrics (frame rate, memory consumption), campaign coverage and the balancing of player progression (credited in the releases of Forza Horizon 1 and 2). I developed a schema analysis tool for MS SQL Server databases without ERDs, which enabled the creation of several visual reports using SQL Server Reporting Services along with dedicated stored procedures which the Forza Horizon development team used to fine-tune both the game engine and player experience. Additionally, I collaborated with the MS Office team in their early 3D Map developments to create prototypes for innovative time-based 3-d data visualizations of Xbox game performance telemetry with subsequent development of a VBA-based utility to provide a more pleasant user experience. I also worked on creating standardised reports to analyse bug trends and fix rates using SSRS and MDX making use of several SQL Server Analysis Services servers.
In my role at Tata Technologies, I served as the technical lead for VPM Digital Manufacturing Solutions across various high-profile projects. I was responsible for implementing VPM Multisite in Portugal and developing bespoke data replication solutions. My experience included creating technologies that supported increased capacity and offshoring capabilities, writing and providing training materials to customers, while also mentoring junior staff to enhance team performance. My main responsibilities in this period were: Technical planning of large-scale Virtual Product Modeller CAD-management (VPM) deployments Continued support of several high-profile customers Writing and delivering training courses in ORACLE/DB2 RDBMS along with VPM administration on AIX Technical mentoring of junior personnel EADS Astrium, United Kingdom: Technical lead for VPM Digital Manufacturing Solution AgustaWestland, United Kingdom/Italy: Technical lead for VPM Digital Manufacturing Solution Implementation of VPM Multisite in ASSYSTEM/CEIIA, Portugal. Contour Aerospace (formerly CPAS), United Kingdom: Technical lead for VPM Responsible for creating technologies to support increased capacity and offshoring capability Renault F1, Enstone, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Developed and implemented VPM Batch model-checking tool Miscellaneous consultation work at: Mercedes Lotus Cars Airbus General developments during this time included: Bespoke Data Replication and Migration Solutions Utilities for Development Support tools for System administration Development of a JSP based front-end to Oracle and Enovia V6
My role involved spearheading various VPM implementations across multiple prestigious companies, focusing on migration and integration strategies. I successfully developed bespoke solutions for VPM Exchange and implemented advanced architectural frameworks. Oshkosh Truck, Wisconsin, USA (2005): Lead framework developer to enable migration from Virtual Product Modeller (VPM) on DB2 and CATIA V4 to SmarTeam and CATIA V5 Contour Premier Aircraft Seating and CNR, United Kingdom (2005): VPM Exchange using bespoke solution Contour Premier Aircraft Seating, United Kingdom (2005): Implemented VPM 1.5 with new architecture and implementation philosophy. Westland Aerospace, United Kingdom (2004): VPM implementation to support AS900 and BARA projects. Volvo Cars, Sweden (2004): Contributed to technical and strategic planning for VPM migration to Team Center Engineering. Daimler Chrysler, Germany (2003): Developed interface for VPM on DB2 and internal GIS/BCS Data Control Systems Latecoere, Toulouse, France (2003): Developed and implemented batch model-checking tool for the VPM environment. CPAS and INBIS (2003): Developed VPM Exchange framework using STEP protocol. ACD Trico (2003): Developed CATEXI modifier to enrich model-save events. LDV (2003): Developed Drawing Frame Replacement module for CATIA. Contour Premier Aircraft Seating (CPAS) (2002): (formerly Britax Aircraft Seating) Took technical responsibility for VPM implementation and development. MSX International (2002): VPM Implementation BlueBird (2001): CDM Migration work Westland Helicopters, United Kingdom (2001): Implemented VPM on Oracle RDBMS Plaxton's Coach and Bus, United Kingdom (2000) Implemented CDM Solution for Coach 2000 Freightliner Trucks, Portland, Oregon, USA (2000) CDM to VPM Migration Workshop (DB2) VW, Wolfsburg, Germany. Migration from CDM to VPM Softlab (BMW and Rover) VPM Administration training