Laminar

I bring 20+ years of hands-on experience across software development, product management, and design. I specialize in clarifying ambiguity, untangling complex systems, and driving cross-functional collaboration. Known for my pragmatism and strategic thinking, I focus on scalable technical solutions that elevate team effectiveness and product impact.

I’m currently seeking a Staff Engineering role where I can apply my expertise to tackle high-leverage, cross-team technical challenges. I act as a force multiplier — mentoring engineers, aligning initiatives, and advancing system-wide improvements.

Technical & Architectural

• Microservices, distributed systems & APIs
• System-level debugging, observability & operational maturity
• LLM integration & AI-enabled agents

Cross-Functional & Product

• Product-engineering collaboration & strategic alignment
• Shaping problem space & navigating ambiguity

Leadership & Systems Thinking

• Coaching & mentoring engineering and product leaders
• Driving organizational change in development practices

Technologies & Tools

• JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, Ruby, SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL), Docker, CI/CD, GitHub, AWS & GCP, OpenAI & Anthropic APIs.

zolar GmbH – Dec 2023–June 2025

zolar pivoted from selling residential PV systems installed by third-party installers, to building an AI-powered SaaS platform for installers.

AI Squad Lead

• Led a focused, cross-functional team building AI-driven features to support solar installation professionals.
• Co-developed LLM-integrated agents capable of interacting with APIs and tools to automate complex user workflows via natural language input.
• Designed and implemented an LLM-powered end-to-end test suite (in Playwright) to validate tool interactions and ensure reliable AI-driven workflows.

Principal Process Product Strategist

• Performed in-depth data analysis to uncover process inefficiencies and customer behaviour patterns.
• Integrated product thinking into process improvement initiatives, translating operational challenges into internal software tools.

Self-Employed – Sept 2022–Present

Engineering Leadership Coach & Consultant

• Provide 1:1 and group coaching for engineering leaders navigating complex team and organizational dynamics.
• With a business partner: designed and delivered tailored interventions (pairing, workshops, coaching) to accelerate delivery in software teams.

SoundCloud – 2011-2022

I worked across software development, product management, and design, repeatedly defining my own role and tackling business-critical problems. I was a sought-after consultant for high-impact initiatives. As a cultural leader, I shaped SoundCloud’s inclusive, collaborative work environment.

2020-2022: VP of Engineering, Growth & Commerce

• Led 100+ people in 12 teams delivering customer-facing products.
• Drove strategic technical changes to support international expansion, data-driven growth, and targeted marketing.
• Evolved hiring and promotion processes for fairness and efficiency.
• Steered the engineering org through executive turnover, representing and stabilizing leadership during transition.

2017-2019: Engineering Director, Payments & Marketing Tech

• Rebuilt the Payments Team post-layoffs, growing it from 2 to 10 people.
• Led the stabilization of the team’s multi-platform tech stack, reducing faults and eliminating reporting delays.
• Launched two subscription products, added 3D Secure, and expanded currencies and payment methods. Cut involuntary churn by 15% with data-driven initiatives.
• Established the Marketing Tech team and defined its technical roadmap.

2015-2017: Product Manager & Tech Lead, Authentication

• Established the Sign-in Team to overhaul and modernize user authentication and streamline the sign-in experience. In-house consultant for authN/authZ topics
• Implemented Single Sign-On, and multiple novel security features and sign-in methods. Boosted sign up rates by 20% with data-driven initiatives.

2011-2015: Developer — Tech Lead — Product Manager — UX & Product Designer

• PM, designer, and lead developer of SoundCloud’s user administration system, which became an indispensable tool for diagnosing and solving end-user issues.
• Built self-serve tools for customer support, reducing case resolution times from days to minutes.
• Extended SoundCloud’s microservices and core systems with auditable administrative functionality.
• Designed and implemented all three sides (uploader, rightsholder, backoffice) of SoundCloud’s content dispute resolution flow.

klug newmedia – 2008-2011

Web Application Developer – UX Designer

Direct Energy Essential Home Services – 2007

Continuous Improvement Analyst

E-Gate Communications Inc. – 2006-2007

Web Application Developer — Web Designer

Canadian Community Newspapers Association – 2003-2006

Information Systems Coordinator

JDS Uniphase Corp. / E-TEK Dynamics – 2000-2001

Engineering Research and Development Intern

University of Toronto – 2002

Bachelor of Applied Science, Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering