Resume of Conor Woods
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Conor Woods
Senior Software Engineer

About

Recent MSc in Computing graduate with 11 years of relevant experience seeking to bring strong design software and problem solving skills as a .NET Developer to the team. Possess excellent communication skills with the ability to plan, analyze, and solve complex tasks. Adept at finding creative solutions to complex development problems and streamlining processes to ensure the highest quality output.

Work Experience

3Advance
Washington D.C. Metro Area
https://www.linkedin.com/company/3advance/
October 2018 – Present
Senior Software Engineer
As a Senior Software Engineer, I developed, maintained, and implemented a wide range of software applications, including video creation and editing software, graphics or photo imaging software, web page creation and editing software, music or sound editing software, filesystem software, development environment software, enterprise application integration software, word processing software, computer aided design CAD software, object or component oriented development software, computer based training software, data base user interface and query software, electronic mail software, operating system software, network security
JCW Software Solutions
United Kingdom
April 2017 – September 2019
Freelance Software Developer
Currently working for a number of companies, specifically SMEs, to bolster their capacity when it is most needed. As a flexible resource I have already been involved with the following clients: - The Home Office, UK - Coventry University - Action For Children - King County Assessors Office - Durham County Assessors Office Already this way of working has allowed me to expand my body of knowledge to include experience of the following technologies: - Ionic 4 & Progressive Web Apps - ChatBots and AI (using API.AI) - NoSql databases - Elastic - BPM solutions Currently available for short term contracts (1-6 months) involving full-stack development as a flexible resource i.e. 1-3 days per week, scaled as necessary.
BBC
Belfast, United Kingdom
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bbc/
September 2016 – April 2017
Senior Software Developer
Full-stack Angular/Node.js HTML5/CSS/Javascript development on the 'BBC Rewind' archive search portal project, serving BBC internal staff nationally and internationally. Analysis, design and development of a 'search and discovery' web application for the BBC media archive, integrating with multiple existing BBC metadata databases, incorporating an on-going effort to digitise the entire physical BBC programme archive of video, audio, images and documents, and enhancing over 1 million digitised recordings using cognitive analysis tools to extract useful metadata and transcriptions. Working with several departments including BBC R&D and archives, in a continuous delivery environment as part of a small Agile development team, with media archivists/managers providing feedback, to deliver immediately valuable media search UI and workflows for hundreds of production and research staff. We have received excellent feedback on the value of the project and the significant difference it has made to how production staff search and use the archive: reducing clip research and production to minutes, where it previously took days, and providing a stream-lined pipeline for publishing archive material to the web. The regular feed of BBC archive material published to BBC social media channels (such as @BBCArchive on Twitter) is now researched and prepared using this application. The main search app architecture uses an ElasticSearch, Mongo and Angular/Node.js stack, deployed within docker containers, following a micro-service model to handle integration with other data sources and systems. Other components developed include: scalable job-queuing to batch process tens of thousands of media archive recordings using a speech transcription engine (Kaldi), data aggregation services to link asset metadata across heterogenous systems, integration with media storage systems (such as Cinegy and Signiant) and concept analysis of metadata using DBpedia Spotlight.
Spatialest
Coleraine
December 2014 – September 2016
EU Research And Development – Senior Technical Lead
Client: European Union Project Objective: Improve collaboration between affected citizens, volunteer groups and professional organisations to recover faster from disaster. Challenge: Build & field test next generation software and processes that demonstrably improve resilience among communities within the EU. Responsibilities: I was initially hired to become a coder on this multi-million euro EU R&D project, but very quickly rose to Senior Technical Lead and the company's chief representative on the project. During the course of the project I was required to research, design, code and implement a unique, socially driven, community collaboration platform, field tested in multiple locations and scenarios throughout Europe. Very quickly I had to become aware of the humanitarian domain and the landscape for next generation software tools and processes (including cloud computing). Equipped with this knowledge I had to advise project partners from government (TNO), NGOs (IFRC, German Red Cross, Dutch Red Cross), commerce and academia. The next stage of the project involved building and field testing the progressive web software platform; the management and implementation of this task was also my responsibility. Results: The project commended by the EU commission and currently in the process of being commercialized. Our company was recognized by all partners as most valuable member of the consortium. Presented to RICS Disaster Management Commission, Northern Ireland Regional Community Resilience Group, Dublin City Council, Garda Siochana, PSNI, Irish/British/Dutch/German/International Red Cross Organisations. Technologies Used: Angular (for SPA), BreezeJS (For DB to API pipe), EF6, Ionic, JWT, D3.js, SignalR, Karma, Jasmine, Selenium, C#, WebApi, ASP.net, Azure VM/WebApps/Azuredb/CDN/Storage Queues, EntityFramework, Git, TFS, Agile, distributed teams, Open Data, Semantic Web, CKAN, GIS, Open Layers, OSM, Google Maps API, Geoserver
Spatialest (formerly Geopii)
Coleraine
May 2013 – December 2014
Senior Software Engineer
After my time freelancing and "up-skilling" I was ready to take up a new permanent challenge. My role at Spatialest was intended initially to become a coder on the company's new European project (Cobacore) but I quickly became the Senior Technical Lead and company's chief representative on the project. As well representing the company's EU interests I have also been tasked with bringing my experience to bear on all sections of the company. My web, server, software architecture design, ALM experience and general know-how have helped several internal commercial projects to leap forward. Spatialest are a GIS and data analytics company with clients in Europe, but mainly in the US local government sector. As well as software engineering tasks on several internal projects, I have been instrumental in leading the company in using ALM tools (continuous deployment using TFS online, Trello for task management, Git for source control) and software best practices (continuous learning through 'brown bag' days, turning bespoke software into products using configuration, utilizing cloud infrastructure to reduce costs and improve performance).
Freelancer Software & Web Developer
April 2013 – June 2013
Freelance Web Developer
After my successful time at a large corporate company (Kana), in a large international team, I decided to have a shot at freelancing while taking time to hone my web skills and look for the next permanent challenge. To "up skill" I only took jobs where it would bring me into contact with the web technologies that I saw as increasingly important or where I needed to practice. To this end I selected a number of clients where the jobs involved a large proportion or Javascript development. The projects that I selected also had some degree of cloud infrastructure, a subject in which it definitely pays to have a deep knowledge of what tools/technologies are available and how they can be used to a developers advantage. Freelancing also enabled me to work on a wide variety of engaging projects and diverse range of clients. This role allowed me to diversify my skills and work alongside a variety of professionals from across the globe. It has also allowed me to sharpen my time management tools and reiterated the importance of continuous learning. (Projects and references available on my LinkedIn profile). Some technologies I used while freelancing: AWS EC2/CDN (for hosting, linux VMs, offsite file storage), Azure (for file storage and Windows VMs), Scalable architecture, C#, JQuery, Angular, Agile, PHP, MySQL, Postgres, Linux, Cloudflare.
KANA Software
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kana-software/
October 2012 – March 2013
Senior Software Developer
Client: Kana/Verint Project Objectives: Rewrite a legacy CRM asp.net web application to utilize current web technologies. Challenges: Understand, decode and completely update a vast, successful legacy web application in a short space of time, while working with partners from across Europe.. Responsibilities: I was hired by Kana to become one of the first senior engineers in the company’s first ever .NET team. We were tasked with bringing a new flagship customer service product to market (Kana Express), based on a legacy application which the company had just purchased. I was heavily involved with the design and rewrite of the legacy CRM product to become scalable, multilingual and use current web technologies. Other responsibilities included mentoring newer, junior, members as they were hired and the team grew. Results: We managed to successfully establish the company's 1st .NET department in the company and helped to integrate junior developers into the department. The product (http://www.kana.com/small-medium-business/customer-service) underwent a sea change from its previous form. It has been updated to be a single page application, incorporating new multilingual features, advanced social media functionality and is now being used by over 200 companies as their primary CRM tool. Technologies Used: ASP.net, C#, .NET 4.5, Knockout.js, SQLServer, Agile, JIRA, TFS, Multilingual, Distributed Teams.
DFSolutions
Coleraine
September 2008 – October 2012
Lead Programmer
After a successful and happy 8 years with AMT-Sybex I was ready for new challenges and new technologies. A local software company required a developer to learn and advance their flagship home entertainment system. Project Objectives: Create a stunning and unique WPF based user interface for the company's high end home entertainment system. Also to create a mobile app and API to control the entertainment system. Challenges: Create a mobile api as an interface between the system and the new android mobile app. Push against the limits of WPF to create a smooth and visually stunning interface. Interface with multiple 3rd party APIs to integrate cutting edge functionalities into the product. Responsibilities: I was hired as the main developer for the company's products. This involved design & coding of company’s flagship high-end media center product (PC and Android interfaces) using cutting edge WPF techniques. We worked closely with customers, sales staff and dev ops to find innovative solutions to customer issues. Introduced advanced features to allow integration of 3rd party APIs such as Hulu, Imdb, Last.fm etc. Results: Implemented radical changes to product scalability, internationalization and client UX (Awarded SVI Trade Gold Award & HCD Trade Award 2011) and massively expanded client portfolio (exporting to over 16 countries). Technologies Used: WPF, C#, VB.net, Java/Android, TeamCity, SQLServer, PRISM, Agile, MVVM, IOC
AMT Sybex
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amt-sybex/
October 2000 – September 2008
Senior Programmer
What started as a personal placement project (FDCS/Field Reach http://amt-sybex.com/fieldreach/) has now become the flagship product for the company with over 35,000 licences sold to companies such as TFL, Network Rail, NIWS, EDF etc. Project Objectives: Design & implement a full lifecycle field-working data collection system. Challenges: Design a system which was usable by field workers, working in a variety of conditions. Provide a workforce overview tool for supervisors. Integrate with several existing asset management systems. Push the limits of existing 'early' mobile technologies. Responsibilities: This project started as a placement project during my time with the Rapid Advancement Programme). My day to day responsibilities included mobile, server & desktop coding and design, technical direction, mentoring developers, co-ordinating a team of 4+ developers, database design and implementation. Results: Chief developer and designer for mobile workflow product now being used worldwide in companies such as PowerNi, TFL, Metronet, Met Police, Network Rail etc. Numerous successful full cycle workflow solution projects for large utility and private clients. Technologies Used: C#, VB.net, VC++, MSMQ, WCF, SQLServer, Oracle, Informix, Windows Mobile
AMT-SYBEX
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amt-sybex/
September 2000 – September 2001
Software Engineer
After less than a year with the company I was promoted to Software engineer. For this role, along with coding and database design and setup I had to produce requirements documents for several existing clients. Also during this time I had to further design and implement the prototypes that I had produced as part of my placement project. Other extra responsibilities during this time included the creation of testing and release procedures.
AMT-SYBEX
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amt-sybex/
January 2000 – September 2000
Graduate Programmer
I joined AMT-Sybex as a placement from the Rapid Advancement Program. I impressed enough during my placement that I was immediately offered a graduate programmer role with the company. My work started with the company's award winning APHIS system, commissioned by the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture. The work involved debugging & testing in house applications. However, also during this time I was able to work on an R&D project which has now become one of the company's flagship products.
Glenmount Training Services
August 1999 – January 2000
I.T. Training & Marketing
As part of my placement for the Premiere Graduate Management programme I took a placement at Glenmount training. As part of a tight knit team I was responsible for helping re-brand the company and help deliver the I.T. courses to their clients.

Awards

  • June 2017

    DigitalDNA

    Hack For Good Winner 2017

    The challenge was to develop, in teams, a app/service/tool to help alleviate youth unemployment, within 12 hours. The prize? A trip to Dubai to present to a VC firm. Our solution involved creating a mobile app called 'Whats My Potential". WMP is an engaging App that makes its easy for young people to discover their employ-ability skills and to match these skills with current jobs and learning pathways. Once a young person has taken the app's simple aptitude test and linked their profile to their "learning log"*, mentors will be able to validate these skills and comment further. The end result will be a living, validated, dynamic, online CV which will then be linked to the learning pathways of the youth's selected career path, and/or to real-life jobs.

  • November 2015

    Irish Football Association

    IFA Soccer Coaching Badge

    The course involves 3 full days of coaching with the IFA, a session on First Aid, as well as modules on child protection and nutrition.

Volunteer

Causeway CoderDojo
May 2013 – Present
Mentor & Founding Member
Helped to set up and run the Causeway CoderDojo - a global collaboration providing free and open learning to young people, especially in programming technology. team.causewaycoderdojo.com @CausewayDojo
Qualified Youth Soccer Coach
January 2013 – Present
Coach
Ballycastle United FC Youth Academy
January 2010 – Present
Secretary
Responsible for secretarial duties for Ballycastle United FC Youth Academy.
Ballycastle United FC
January 2012 – Present
Press Officer
Responsible for dissemination of club news to press, website, Facebook and Twitter channels
Ballycastle United FC
March 2009 – Present
Chairman
Responsible for Ballycastle United FC
Ballycastle United Youth Academy
January 2013 – Present
Secretary

Projects

  • Speaker @ WordCamp 2016:
  • Speaker @ New Perspectives 2016 - Leiden:
  • COBACORE - Helping disaster recovery using social media:
  • Comper - Comparable housing sales selector:
  • a-listblogging.com:
  • rebootauthentic.com:
  • teamthing.com:
  • BLink Android Application:
  • BLink PC WPF Control Application:
  • BLink:

Contact

Education

  • 2007 2010

    The Open University

    MSc In Computing For Commerce And Industry

    Database, Software Management, Project Planning, Software Development

    Courses
    • F05 - MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry
  • 2001 2002

    BIC Systems

    Rapid Advancement Program

    Computer Programming

  • 1998 2000

    Queen's University Belfast

    BA(Hons) Economics/Philsophy

    Economics

  • 2000 2001

    Premier Graduate Management

    Premier Graduate Management Development

    Project Management

Skills

Design software
Communication skills
Problem solving
Node.js
Serverless Computing
AWS Azure
API Development
JS TS
Systems Architecture
IaaS
PaaS
SaaS

Publications

Towards an Information Framework for Community Based Comprehensive Recovery
ISCRAM 2015
01 May 2015
http://iscram2015.uia.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Proceedings-Introduction.pdf

This paper presents core aspects of a new crisis-orientated ontology, in conjunction with its underlying information framework, which will be utilized within a platform for community-based disaster recovery (COBACORE). It is anticipated the proposed ontology will fill the gaps that currently exist within crisis-orientated ontologies specifically aimed at the response and recovery phase of the disaster lifecycle.

References

I worked with Conor extensively on a EU research project. The thing that struck me most about Conor, other than his great personality, was his ability to translate vague research ideas to solid and practical technical solutions. If we could dream it, he could create it! The ability to bridge the gap between researchers and IT, not only in conceptual thinking but in everyday communication as well, is something I greatly admire in Conor.

Conor is a diligent, hard working professional whose attention to detail and tenacity enables him to turn out excellent work on every project he works on. I highly recommend Conor for his IT knowledge, ability and dedication.

Conor has helped me with support on my web site several times. He's fast, effective, personable, and has a high level of expertise. After experiencing support from Conor, I feel no need to ever go anywhere else. I give Conor my highest possible recommendation. Outstanding.

“Conor Woods is the ultimate professional and is unrelenting in his client support and desire to make sure any job he works on is delivered on spec and on time. He follows a strict work methodology which means nothing is left to chance and his working knowledge of CSS & HTML is second to none. What truly impressed me about Conor was how he went well beyond the scope of my brief and over-delivered, much to my delight. I highly recommend Conor, no matter how big or small your job is.”

Conor is a consummate software developer with excellent problems solving and communication skills. He is a team player who is self-motivated, rigorous and always willing to do one more thing to ensure his work is of the highest standard.

Conor is technical and very knowledgeable person who keeps his technical skills always up to date. Conor is hard working, makes sure he completes the job in hand and works in the best interest of team. I can confidently say that Conor will be an asset to any organization he works with.

Conor is a very self-motivating, highly disciplined guy. Was instrumental within DF Solutions in developing the core software solution. Persisted in finding lateral solutions to difficult dependencies. Researched new technologies and tools which could enhance the software and internal work-processes.