John is available for hire
Hire JohnJohn Durkop
Verified Expert in Engineering
C Developer
Austin, TX, United States
Toptal member since January 11, 2020
Bio
John is an accomplished engineering professional with a proven track record of leading teams to develop cutting edge technology solutions across a wide range of industries including cybersecurity, embedded systems, enterprise servers, and mobile computing. His extensive experience working with embedded systems enables him to adapt to fast-paced work environments.
Portfolio
Practical Software Craftsmanship, LLC
Cybersecurity, LoRaWAN, Embedded C, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Linux, Git...
Interactive Brokers
Leadership, Product Security, Security Engineering, Python 3...
Toyota Material Handling, Inc - Main
Product Owner, Embedded Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Embedded C...
Experience
- Embedded C - 20 years
- C - 20 years
- Leadership - 13 years
- Software Architecture - 10 years
- Product Security - 9 years
- Cybersecurity - 8 years
- Security Engineering - 7 years
- Python - 6 years
Preferred Environment
Software, Agile, Git, Bitbucket, GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Python, Embedded C, C, Linux
The most amazing...
...thing I have worked on was a framework for delivering cyber payloads using existing RF platforms. The work earned my team Raytheon's EIET award.
Work Experience
Managing Partner
2017 - PRESENT
Practical Software Craftsmanship, LLC
- Developed firmware for an IoT device using LoRA WAN technology for the customer. Firmware developed using Embedded C for ARM processors.
- Performed cybersecurity services for other customers to be compliant with NIST standards.
- Created SOP and POAM cybersecurity deliverables to maintain compliance.
- Made improvements and fixes to Mbed TLS libraries to support customer requests.
Technologies: Cybersecurity, LoRaWAN, Embedded C, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Linux, Git, Python, Linux Kernel Drivers, Firmware, Software Architecture, Real-time Embedded Systems
Senior Principal Cyber Security Engineer
2022 - 2025
Interactive Brokers
- Ensured all third-party software used by InteractiveBrokers complies with security standards.
- Worked with development teams on secure application development, including the selection of new SAST/DAST tools to improve application security.
- Ensured security infrastructure was operational and deployed across the entire organization.
- Conducted threat models and security architecture reviews for special projects across the company.
- Work with Incident Response, Red Team, Blue Team, and other security teams as a subject matter expert.
Technologies: Leadership, Product Security, Security Engineering, Python 3, Security Automation, Threat Modeling, Security Architecture, Software Composition Analysis (SCA), Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Linux, Agile, Git, Python, Cybersecurity
Technical Product Owner
2023 - 2024
Toyota Material Handling, Inc - Main
- Joined the development team to help achieve release objectives. Worked on the connectivity manager application, which included Wi-Fi and LTE connection devices.
- Helped to optimize boot time by refactoring module initialization order and settings to reduce boot time from minutes to sub-minute boot times.
- Onboarded a Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tool to improve code quality for the project.
Technologies: Product Owner, Embedded Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Embedded C, Embedded C++, C++, Technical Product Management, Bluetooth
Technical Product Owner
2022 - 2023
Toyota Material Handling, Inc - Main
- Built out full project backlogs for development teams in Azure. Ensured the project list was prioritized based on business needs.
- Worked across multiple teams to make sure engineering and cyber projects were aligned with business objectives.
- Helped the team onboard new developers with another vendor to make significant progress on project deliverables.
Technologies: Product Owner, Technical Product Management, Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Internet of Things (IoT), Bluetooth, Embedded C++, Embedded C, C++
Technical Product Owner
2021 - 2022
Toyota Material Handling
- Worked as a product owner to translate business requirements into software requirements.
- Worked with development teams to ensure current tasks and work were making progress.
- Helped develop new SDLC processes to make improvements to the project.
Technologies: Embedded C++, C++, Internet of Things (IoT), CANopen, CAN Bus, Embedded Systems, Product Owner
Senior Software Engineer
2020 - 2022
Roku
- Developed firmware in support of integrating Roku OS on several TV platforms.
- Worked with the cybersecurity team to address key security issues for Roku OS across several TV platforms.
- Debugged and resolved issues with firmware releases and provided patches to resolve the issue.
Technologies: C, C++, ARM Assembler, ARM Linux, Python 3, Encryption, Linux, Git, Python, Software Architecture, Cybersecurity
Director of Solution Development
2019 - 2020
TalonX
- Designed and architected an MSSP effectiveness tool that automated red teaming techniques based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework and determined how effective the security controls were.
- Designed and architected a new platform for automation of use cases for security detection and response.
- Led all development activities using best-in-practice software development methodologies.
Technologies: MITRE ATT&CK, Python 3, System Design, Solution Design, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Git, Python, Software Architecture, Cybersecurity
Senior Principal Cyber Security Engineer
2017 - 2019
Raytheon
- Served as a principal investigator for cyber R&D projects. Mentored engineers executing projects and provided technical subject matter expert guidance for all cyber projects.
- Oversaw technology and budgets for cyber R&D projects.
- Participated in business-wide activities to push cyber technologies for customers, including conducting R&D intellectual property submissions and presenting R&D technology to the board of directors.
Technologies: Python, Embedded C, Embedded Systems, System Design, C++, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Linux, Agile, Git, Linux Kernel Drivers, Firmware, Software Architecture, Cybersecurity, Real-time Embedded Systems, Device Drivers
Principal Cyber Security Engineer
2011 - 2017
Raytheon
- Managed the software development team in Austin. Conducted staff performance reviews and aided staff in obtaining career goals.
- Provided technical leadership on critical cyber R&D projects. Presented technical material for architectural reviews to senior staff. Presented at several customer presentations and demonstrations of R&D technology.
- Performed recruiting and recruitment processes to help grow the site from 3 to 20+.
- Earned SIGov's Top Engineer for the Austin site in 2015. Earned Excellence in Engineering and Technology (EIET) award from Raytheon in 2015/2017.
Technologies: Embedded Systems, Python, Embedded C, Reverse Engineering, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Linux, Agile, Git, Linux Kernel Drivers, Firmware, Software Architecture, Cybersecurity, Real-time Embedded Systems, Device Drivers
Software Applications Specialist
2011 - 2011
Imagination Technologies
- Delivered and supported software drivers for PowerVR graphics IP for customers using ARM platforms.
- Provided customer support for Linux Xorg and Android OS graphics drivers and API.
- Provided onsite support to customers by working at customer sites to debug issues with driver porting.
Technologies: Android, Linux Kernel Drivers, Graphics, Embedded C++, Windows
Senior Software Engineer
2009 - 2011
Dell
- Designed and developed embedded Linux applications for the Chassis Management Controller.
- Acted as the scrum master for the agile team developing iDRAC and CMC firmware.
- Set up a new process for test and development team interaction.
Technologies: I2C, Servers, Enterprise, Agile, Linux, Python, Embedded C, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Linux Kernel Drivers, Firmware, Software Architecture, Windows, Device Drivers
Manager 4G Platform Software
2005 - 2009
Motorola
- Oversaw development for WiMAX and LTE Host Platform drivers and applications for Windows and Linux platforms.
- Led a team of six engineers to continue support for a growing customer base for WiMAX/LTE modems. Performed staff performance reviews and implemented standardized development best practices.
- Designed, developed, and tested Linux drivers and modules for WiMAX and LTE chipsets using C.
- Developed SDIO drivers for three different Host processors for WiMAX. (OMAP 2420, OMAP 2430, and MSM6800). Developed USB drivers for Ubuntu 8.04 for both LTE and WiMAX.
- Continued development of additional applications and drivers for WiMAX and LTE. Developed network drivers and specialty applications to configure and monitor WiMAX settings.
Technologies: USB, Secure Digital Input//Output (SDIO), Debugging, Hardware, ARM Assembler, Long-term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, Python, Linux, Embedded C, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Linux Kernel Drivers, Firmware, Software Architecture, Real-time Embedded Systems, Device Drivers
Systems Engineer
2005 - 2005
Ajilon Consulting (Texas Instruments)
- Developed drivers for emulation software for ARM processors.
- Enhanced memory access functionality for ARM7 and ARM9 processors to speed up program downloads.
- Debugged and created patches to address issues found in drivers.
Technologies: JTAG, ARM, Embedded C++, Firmware, Real-time Embedded Systems
Software Developer
2002 - 2005
Psion Teklogix
- Ported Windows CE.NET to proprietary hardware for both Intel SA1110 and PXA25x microcontrollers. Developed device drivers and applications for the devices using C/C++ and assembly as a member of a team.
- Designed WinCE.NET OAL, kernel, and drivers, including PCMCIA, display, touch, IrDA, fast IrDA, power, backlight, audio, GSM/GPRS, SD/SDIO, Bluetooth, 802.11/ZeroConfig, MMC, and corresponding Control Panels.
- Worked on the entire software development, testing, and user manual documentation for three devices over this three-year period as part of a remote team of five in Houston.
Technologies: IEEE 802.11, Secure Digital Input//Output (SDIO), GPRS, GSM, C, Windows CE, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Firmware, Windows, Device Drivers
Firmware Design Engineer
2000 - 2002
Intel
- Designed and implemented server management features for IA64 4-way and 8-way severs.
- Developed code to interact with several I2C devices in the system, including PCF8575, Heceta5, etc.
- Managed a small team of evaluation engineers to meet testing requirements for IA64 4-way servers.
- Developed a new system of team interaction to enable better testing coverage for all products. This new system produced firmware that came out of final testing with the fewest defects ever for server management firmware.
Technologies: Servers, Enterprise, I2C, ARM, Scripting, Tcl, Embedded C, Embedded Software, Embedded C++, Firmware, Real-time Embedded Systems
Experience
Framework for Delivering Cyber Payloads
The framework for delivering cyber payloads was a complex system of proprietary and confidential modules to allow existing platforms the ability to deliver cyber payloads through existing interfaces. I was the lead architect and system designer for the project. I also implemented several of the system modules and conducted customer demonstrations of the technology.
Asset Tracker Bootloader
I developed a bootloader and device drivers for a proprietary custom asset tracking device using ST micro components and the ARM Kiel compiler tools. I was able to successfully deliver a multi-partition boot loader design, allowing the customers the ability to do over-the-air firmware updates.
Reverse Engineering Projects
I worked on several confidential and proprietary projects that required performing embedded firmware and hardware reverse engineering. I used tools like IDA Pro and hardware probes to diagnose and gather details to perform the reverse engineering.
Cyber Payload Builder
I worked on a proprietary and confidential tool that was required to build custom cyber payloads. I worked with another engineer as the main architect for the system and did the software design and implementation for all the low-level modules, custom features, and customer demonstrations.
iDRAC Firmware
I worked on the Dell Enterprise server team, developing iDRAC firmware for enterprise blade servers. My main area of focus was power management drivers in embedded Linux. I was the scrum master for the agile team, working on the power management features, and was the lead developer and architect for the modules.
Chassis Management Controller Firmware
I was the lead software designer for a new feature for the chassis management controller cards that control server management features for Dell Enterprise servers in a multiple-blade chassis. I designed and implemented the new firmware update feature to allow firmware updates to all systems simultaneously. This made updates more efficient and reliable.
Driver and Firmware Developer for 4G Modems
I was the lead software engineer for platform services in 4G modem development. I worked on device drivers for WiMAX and LTE modems for USB and SDIO interfaces. I designed and implemented the low-level drivers for Linux and worked with the MAC firmware to implement the low-level interfaces to work with those drivers.
Education
1995 - 1999
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering
Texas A&M University - College Station, TX
Skills
Tools
Git, Jira, GitLab, GitHub, Bitbucket, Interactive Disassembler (IDA) Pro
Languages
Embedded C++, Embedded C, C, C++, Python, ARM Assembler, Tcl, Python 3, MIPS
Paradigms
Agile, Automation
Platforms
Linux, ARM Linux, Windows, Windows CE, Android
Industry Expertise
Cybersecurity
Storage
Secure Digital Input//Output (SDIO)
Other
Embedded Systems, Real-time Embedded Systems, System Design, Software Architecture, Debugging, Firmware, Leadership, Embedded Software, Product Security, Software Design, Reverse Engineering, Device Drivers, Encryption, Security Automation, Threat Modeling, Technical Product Management, Software, LoRaWAN, ARM, JTAG, Graphics, Linux Kernel Drivers, Enterprise, Servers, I2C, WiMAX, Long-term Evolution (LTE), Hardware, USB, GSM, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Scripting, MITRE ATT&CK, Solution Design, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Security Engineering, Security Architecture, Software Composition Analysis (SCA), Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Electrical Design, Algorithms, IPMI, ARM SoC, Internet of Things (IoT), CANopen, CAN Bus, Product Owner, Bluetooth
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