Core Competencies#
Performance Engineering#
The ability to make systems very fast has been fundamental throughout my career.
Expertise includes:
- Profiling & Analysis: console-specific profiling tools, Intel VTune, Visual Studio Profiler, custom instrumentation
- Optimization Techniques: Cache-friendly data structures, branch prediction, memory access patterns, algorithmic improvements
- Real-Time Constraints: Consistent 60/120 fps under 16.67ms/8.33ms frame budgets
- Memory Optimization: Working within severe constraints (4GB total system memory)
Systems Architecture#
Designing systems that are maintainable, extensible, and performant at scale.
Expertise includes:
- AI Systems: Hierarchical finite state machines, decision systems, pathfinding, team positioning, team action management
- Data-Driven Design: Separating data from logic for designer configurability
- Component Architecture: Composable, reusable system design
- Resource Management: Async loading, streaming, memory budgeting
Concurrency & Multithreading#
Modern performance requires parallel execution. I’ve solved real concurrency problems in production systems.
Expertise includes:
- Race Condition Debugging: Identifying and resolving threading issues in complex systems
- Resource Locking: Token-based systems, safe async resource access
- Parallel Workloads: Task scheduling, amortized updates, job systems
Low-Level C++ Development#
17 years of professional C++ experience across game engines, tools, and server systems.
Expertise includes:
- Modern C++: Templates, RAII, move semantics, smart pointers
- Debugging: Complex crash analysis, memory corruption, undefined behavior
3D Mathematics#
The mathematical foundation for real-time simulation and graphics.
Expertise includes:
- Vectors, matrices, linear algebra
- Coordinate spaces and transforms
- Trigonometry and geometric calculations
- Collision detection and response
Technical Proficiencies#
Languages#
| Language | Experience Level |
|---|---|
| C++ | Expert — 17 years professional |
| Python | Proficient — tooling and automation |
| C# | Working knowledge |
| Java | Working knowledge |
| SQL | Working knowledge |
Tools & Technologies#
Profiling & Performance
- Console-specific profilers
- Intel VTune
- Visual Studio Profiling Tools
- Custom instrumentation frameworks
Development
- Visual Studio
- Perforce, Git
- Confluence, JIRA
Agentic Coding
I’ve spent significant time assessing various AI coding agents and incorporate them pragmatically, but never as a substitute for rigorous understanding of code, especially in critical code paths.
Systems
- Linux server development
- Windows desktop development
- Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 development
Soft Skills#
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration#
Games are built by teams of engineers, designers, artists, animators, audio designers, and more. I’ve spent 17+ years working closely with non-engineers to ship products.
This means:
- Translating technical constraints into terms other disciplines understand
- Incorporating feedback from people with different perspectives
- Building systems that empower others to do their work effectively
- Clear documentation and communication
Technical Leadership#
Without formal management responsibility, I’ve led through:
- Interviewing and evaluating engineering candidates
- Onboarding and training new team members
- Creating documentation and training materials
- Advocating for technical quality and best practices
Self-Direction#
I identify problems before being asked, propose solutions, and execute.