Spencer Marks, Project Manager in Boston, MA, United States
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Spencer Marks

Verified Expert  in Project Management

Bio

Spencer is an innovative software engineering leader with over 30 years of experience in Agile development, DevOps, and cloud architecture. With proven success in building and leading high-performing teams, Spencer excels at designing, implementing, and scaling complex workflows and automated systems. His leadership and experience make him a valuable asset in driving innovation and delivering complex software solutions.

Project Highlights

Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network (BEACON)
Designed and spearheaded the development of a system for detecting and monitoring potential emerging healthcare threats.
Adjunct Professor
Designed and taught courses on Java, Python, cloud computing, and Agile software development.
Agile Overview Diagram
Created a part of a presentation on how I would introduce a team to Agile.

Expertise

  • AWS IoT
  • Agile
  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Modeling
  • Database Modeling
  • Project Management
  • Python

Work Experience

Software Applications Manager

2019 - PRESENT
Boston Children's Hospital (Innovation Lab)
  • Spearheaded a development team managing a portfolio of over 50 healthcare-related applications, establishing technical standards and best practices.
  • Reduced deployment time from half a day to minutes using CI/CD and configuration as code.
  • Saved approximately 20% on AWS costs by making strategic choices and leveraging SaaS where possible.
  • Utilized Agile methodologies to foster a productive and engaged team.

Principal

1997 - 2025
Origami Software
  • Developed software solutions as a freelance developer at Origami Software.
  • Provided contract-based software development services, specializing in architecture modernization, cloud migrations to AWS, and custom training.
  • Delivered custom software solutions and training across various industries.

Technical Leader

2018 - 2019
Seres Therapeutics
  • Architected laboratory automation workflows using AWS for serverless event-driven pipelines.
  • Spearheaded Agile adoption while managing Scrum ceremonies.
  • Improved release reliability and reduced costs via AWS optimization.

Staff Engineer and Team Lead

2012 - 2018
Claritas Genomics
  • Designed big data pipelines for genomic sequencing analysis using AWS-hosted solutions.
  • Established best practices for code reviews, CI/CD processes, automated testing, and branching strategies.
  • Hired new talent for software engineering and DevOps.

Project History

iOS App

https://github.com/smarks

Launched my first iOS app on the App Store.

iSpend is an iOS app designed to track expenses using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. The app prompts users to pause and reflect before making a purchase, helping them decide whether an expense is necessary (e.g., car insurance payment) or discretionary. It also offers basic budgeting and reporting features. I developed the app in Swift 5 with Core Data.

Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network (BEACON)

Designed and spearheaded the development of a system for detecting and monitoring potential emerging healthcare threats.

BEACON is an AI-powered early warning system for emerging biothreats, utilizing publicly available data. It consists of several key components, including a public-facing website and an internal workflow engine that leverages AI to evaluate news articles and other inputs for relevance.

Adjunct Professor

https://www.uml.edu/catalog/courses/info/3030

Designed and taught courses on Java, Python, cloud computing, and Agile software development.

I have served as an adjunct professor at the Kennedy School of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, for the past 28 years. I greatly enjoy mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Agile Overview Diagram

https://share.origamisoftware.com/agilemeth.pdf

Created a part of a presentation on how I would introduce a team to Agile.

I prepared and presented a mock proposal for a late and over-budget project to use an Agile approach. I also presented this slide deck as part of the work. The audience was executive stakeholders. https://share.origamisoftware.com/example.pdf

Education

1986 - 1988

Master's Degree in English Literature

Clark University - Worcester, MA, USA

1982 - 1986

Bachelor's Degree in English Literature

Skidmore College - Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

Certifications

FEBRUARY 1987 - PRESENT

Sun Java Developer

Sun Microsystems (now Oracle)

Skills

Tools

Jira, Confluence, Salesforce, Google Sheets, Zoom, Slack, SQL, GitHub, AWS CLI, AWS SDK, Asana, Azure Boards

Paradigms

Agile, Kanban, Agile Project Management, HIPAA Compliance, DevOps, Scrum, Waterfall Delivery, Agile Leadership

Industry Expertise

Architecture, Professional Services, Healthcare, FMCG

Platforms

AWS IoT, Linux

Other

Project Management, Scrum Master, Data Modeling, Mentorship, IT Project Management, Project Scoping, Project Coordination, Agile Coaching, Process Optimization, Software Project Management, Distributed Team Management, Reports, Risk Management, Team Management, Planning, Implementation, User Stories, Agile Program Management, Web, Web Technologies, Web Development, Agile Sprints, Product Owner, Project Estimation, Sprint Planning, Backlog Grooming, QA Testing, Sprint Backlog, Software Development, Accountability, Project Timelines, API Integration, Project Planning, Training Content, Content Creation, E-learning, Training, Training & Training Content Development, Waterfall Methodology, Web & Mobile Applications, Consulting, Service, Backlog Management, Project Delivery, Project Reporting, Resource Management, Vendor Management, Healthcare Services, Healthcare Software, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Technical Requirements, Python, Cloud Migration, Technical Project Management, Business Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Performance Metrics, Content Management Systems (CMS), Dashboards, Pitch Decks, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Communication, Critical Thinking, Research, Research & Critical Thinking, Critical Path Analysis, Java, Java 8, XML Parsing, Database Modeling, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Swift, REST APIs, CI/CD Pipelines, Security, Scalability, GitHub Actions, Technical Hiring, Technical Design, Technical Standards, Technical Analysis, Team Mentoring, Mentorship & Coaching, Design, AWS HA, Remote Team Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership, IT Projects, Product Management, Software Design, Retool, Projects, Project Design, Mobile Development

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