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Justin Kent
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Developer
Jupiter, United States
Toptal member since June 20, 2022
Bio
Justin's start in software dates back to the mid-90s, building websites with HTML and Flash ActionScript. Soon after iPhone launched, he started developing for mobile, focusing on the Apple technology stack. Since then, he's grown and established over 40 apps for name-brand Fortune 500 companies, including on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Portfolio
Award Winning Apps
Xcode, Swift, SwiftUI, Objective-C, UIKit, HealthKit, WatchKit, iOS, tvOS...
It's Good Group
Swift, SwiftUI, Maps, REST, Xcode, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub, Code Review...
Float Left Interactive
Xcode, Swift, Code Review, Android TV, Roku, iOS, Tizen, Git, GitFlow...
Experience
- Objective-C - 15 years
- Xcode - 15 years
- UIKit - 15 years
- iOS - 15 years
- Swift - 8 years
- Code Review - 7 years
- Git - 5 years
- SwiftUI - 2 years
Work Experience
President and Freelance Developer
2009 - PRESENT
Award Winning Apps
- Launched over 25 native iPhone and iPad apps to iTunes.
- Built a wide variety of apps using Xcode, Swift, UIKit, Objective-C, Core Animation, WatchKit, HealthKit, and many other native Apple technologies, as well as several web technologies.
- Utilized Xcode, VS Code, Swift, Ionic, and other tools to build the apps, then Azure DevOps, AppCenter, or TestFlight, together with Git and CI/CD pipelines, to deliver the app directly to the device.
Technologies: Xcode, Swift, SwiftUI, Objective-C, UIKit, HealthKit, WatchKit, iOS, tvOS, iOS SceneKit, Interface Builder, CI/CD Pipelines, Git, GitFlow, Ionic, React Native, Figma, ARKit, Agile, Scrum, REST, GraphQL, iTunes Connect, App Store, Concurrency, Data Modeling, Real-time Data, Asynchronous Data Streams, User Experience (UX), Audio Processing, Speech-to-Text (STT), Mobile App Testing, QA Automation, APIs, Mobile Development, HIPAA Compliance, Mobile Security, Health & Wellness
iOS Developer
2022 - 2024
It's Good Group
- Handled native iOS development in Xcode, Swift, and SwiftUI (and assorted frameworks).
- Developed and maintained advanced CI/CD workflows via GitHub and Xcode Cloud.
- Communicated with the back-end team on the API contract and function.
- Submitted well-structured pull requests that were thoroughly tested and amply documented.
- Identified and improved performance bottlenecks in the app.
- Conducted systems analysis to determine the root cause of hard-to-reproduce bugs.
- Advocated for and implemented strong security practices.
- Reinforced high standards of peer review via style guides, code reviews, and pull request feedback.
- Distributed frequent builds to the team, including specific and comprehensive release notes.
Technologies: Swift, SwiftUI, Maps, REST, Xcode, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub, Code Review, Performance, Mobile App Testing, QA Automation, XCUITest, APIs, Mobile Development, Mobile Security
Vice President of Engineering
2016 - 2018
Float Left Interactive
- Brought life to the vision of our partner brands and delightful TV experiences to their audiences. Created unique and artful apps for the world's most prolific media brands, responsible for all aspects of engineering and production.
- Drove the on-schedule delivery of professional services engagements.
- Managed the creation of internal toolkits and external SaaS products.
- Cultivated a team of talented software professionals.
- Scoped projects, responded to RFPs, and established pricing.
- Interfaced with the executive and production staff of clients and partners.
- Defined departmental priorities and kept them front of mind.
- Delivered the highest-grossing fiscal year in the company's history.
- Launched several TV experiences, including NBC Sports, Sony, MLB, Red Bull, AMC, Ovation, and Catholic TV.
Technologies: Xcode, Swift, Code Review, Android TV, Roku, iOS, Tizen, Git, GitFlow, Source Code Review, Management, P&L Management, P&L Forecasting, Asynchronous Data Streams, User Experience (UX), Mobile App Testing, QA Automation, APIs, Mobile Development, Mobile Security
Lead Scientist
2012 - 2015
Modernizing Medicine
- Created applications that change the way doctors practice medicine.
- Developed features in ModMed's flagship product, EMA for iPad, using Xcode and Agile process.
- Evaluated and prototyped new technologies for inclusion in future product offerings.
- Researched and prepared patent filings for submission to the USPTO.
Technologies: Xcode, Swift, Objective-C, UIKit, Subversion (SVN), Agile, Crashlytics, HockeyApp, WordPress, Data Modeling, User Experience (UX), APIs, Mobile Development, HIPAA Compliance, Mobile Security, Health & Wellness, AI Integration
Tech Lead and Mobile Specialist
2009 - 2012
Crispin Porter & Bogusky
- Launched numerous high-profile projects for name-brand clients.
- Built software to create world-class, native mobile applications.
- Lectured internally as a product trainer and externally as a mobile evangelist.
- Conceived, engineered, and deployed native mobile and digital out-of-home products.
Technologies: Xcode, Objective-C, UIKit, Unity, Flash, Agile, REST, Adobe Flex, OpenCV, Core Audio, AudioUnit, ActionScript 3, Flash ActionScript, Subversion (SVN), Scrum, Photoshop CC, Data Modeling, Real-time Data, Asynchronous Data Streams, User Experience (UX), Audio Processing, Real-time Audio Processing, APIs, Mobile Development, Mobile Security
Software and Web Developer
2008 - 2009
Miami Herald
- Developed award-winning iPhone applications for partner brands, such as the Miami Dolphins.
- Built video and interactive features for MiamiHerald.com and Miami.com.
- Combined Flash and Ajax to integrate our distinct look with outside vendor APIs.
Technologies: Xcode, Objective-C, UIKit, Flash, ActionScript 3, REST, Flash ActionScript, vMix, WordPress, Interface Builder, iTunes Connect, App Store, Ajax, HTML, CSS, APIs, Mobile Development
Project History
It's Good
https://www.itsgood.lifeA restaurant recommendation app for John Legend. My responsibilities include:
• Architecting, developing, building, and distributing the It’s Good app.
• Handling native iOS development in Xcode, Swift, SwiftUI, and assorted frameworks.
• Developing and maintaining advanced CI/CD workflows via GitHub and Xcode Cloud.
• Communicating with the back-end team on the API contract and function.
• Submitting well-structured pull requests, thoroughly tested and amply documented.
• Identifying and improving performance bottlenecks in the app.
• Analyzing systems to determine the root cause of hard-to-reproduce bugs.
• Advocating for and implementing strong security practices.
• Reinforcing high standards of peer review.
• Distributing frequent builds, with specific and comprehensive release notes.
• Architecting, developing, building, and distributing the It’s Good app.
• Handling native iOS development in Xcode, Swift, SwiftUI, and assorted frameworks.
• Developing and maintaining advanced CI/CD workflows via GitHub and Xcode Cloud.
• Communicating with the back-end team on the API contract and function.
• Submitting well-structured pull requests, thoroughly tested and amply documented.
• Identifying and improving performance bottlenecks in the app.
• Analyzing systems to determine the root cause of hard-to-reproduce bugs.
• Advocating for and implementing strong security practices.
• Reinforcing high standards of peer review.
• Distributing frequent builds, with specific and comprehensive release notes.
Project RISE
The US Air Force visionOS app allows instructor pilots to train and supervise in-session student missions in flight simulators located on Randolph AFB. It enables secure access to multiple video and data feeds, real-time bidirectional audio, and shared training material.
Reese's Book Club
https://reesesbookclub.comThe companion application for Reese Witherspoon's Book Club. Built for iOS and Android using React Native. Nominated for a Webby People's Choice Award.
I was the tech director that liaised with the client and managed the team of developers.
I was the tech director that liaised with the client and managed the team of developers.
Astro by PricewaterhouseCoopers
https://www.zdnet.com/article/four-lessons-from-pwcs-digital-transformation-workforce-upskilling-efforts/PwC's product group deployed a virtual assistant called Astro internally to help employees navigate back office tasks and 1,600 systems. A cross-platform app for iOS and Android, built on the Ionic framework and integrated with many disparate back-end services to make complex queries accessible via simple spoken language questions. Highly confidential partner data made security and testing a high priority. I was the director of mobile development, leading a hybrid onshore/offshore team on a 24/7 schedule, conducting code reviews, and performing release management.
Trulicity by Eli Lilly
Trulicity is a once-a-week injectable that can be life-changing for people living with Type II diabetes. The companion app was developed natively for iOS in Swift and Obj-C, and as an FDA-regulated Class II medical device, warranted the utmost care in the development, testing, and release. My role was as the lead developer and manager of a small offshore team.
Nike NbG
https://snobette.com/2021/03/nike-launches-nbg-womens-sport-style-and-self-care-gen-z-app/A native iOS application built for young women, containing a curated feed of products, lifestyle news, and influencer posts. App users are encouraged to weigh in on images and are offered the opportunity to tag them as buy, fave, or share through DM or social media. Hit the buy icon to be seamlessly moved to a store where the featured items are available for purchase.
Education
2000 - 2001
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA, USA
1996 - 2000
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA, USA
Certifications
JULY 2013 - PRESENT
Certified Scrum Master
Scrum Alliance
JULY 2013 - PRESENT
Certified Scrum Product Owner
Scrum Alliance
Skills
Libraries/APIs
HealthKit, OpenCV, Core Audio
Tools
Xcode, Git, Subversion (SVN), Crashlytics, iTunes Connect, Interface Builder, Flash, Figma, Photoshop CC, GitHub
Languages
Swift, Objective-C, ActionScript 3, GraphQL, Flash ActionScript, HTML, CSS
Frameworks
SwiftUI, UIKit, iOS SceneKit, ARKit, Unity, React Native, WatchKit, Ionic, Adobe Flex, AudioUnit, XCUITest
Paradigms
Agile, REST, Scrum, Mobile Development, HIPAA Compliance, Management, Azure DevOps
Platforms
iOS, HockeyApp, WordPress, Android TV, Tizen, tvOS, Android, VisionOS
Other
Code Review, GitFlow, Source Code Review, App Store, APIs, Scrum Master, CI/CD Pipelines, Concurrency, Data Modeling, Real-time Data, Asynchronous Data Streams, User Experience (UX), Mobile App Testing, Mobile Security, Health & Wellness, AI Integration, Algorithms, Systems, Machine Vision, Architecture, Roku, Product Ownership, P&L Management, P&L Forecasting, Design, vMix, Ajax, Cordova, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Text-to-Speech (TTS), Augmented Reality (AR), Release Management, Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT), Audio Processing, Real-time Audio Processing, Speech-to-Text (STT), Maps, Performance, QA Automation
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