Ben Homnick
JavaScript Developer in Taipei, Taiwan
Member since August 5, 2013
With over fifteen years of experience building and scaling software products for web and mobile, Ben is a well-versed engineer and manager passionate about solving real-world problems through technology. Ben has previously worked with the University of Michigan, Microsoft, and a variety of venture-backed startups across the US and Asia.
Ben is now available for hire
Portfolio
- Azure Interactive, LLCPython, PHP, Django, Flask, iOS, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, LESS, Backbone.js
- Noodle Education, Inc.Django, Python, PostgreSQL
- Allclasses, Inc.Flask, Python, Elasticsearch, AWS, Backbone.js, JavaScript
Experience
- Python, 10 years
- JavaScript, 10 years
- SQL, 10 years
- Django, 10 years
- Flask, 5 years
- iOS, 3 years
- React, 2 years
- Go, 1 year
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
Mac, Linux, Git, BBEdit, XCode
The most amazing...
...app I've built is a Twitter-based traffic aggregator that provided real-time updates to users all around the world.
Employment
Managing Director
2006 - PRESENTAzure Interactive, LLC- Founded a web development, design, and technology consulting company, managing clients in both North America and the Greater China area.
- Managed staff both in Taiwan and abroad.
- Provided custom eCommerce, web design, and other development services geared toward small businesses.
Technologies: Python, PHP, Django, Flask, iOS, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, LESS, Backbone.jsSenior Software Engineer
2015 - 2016Noodle Education, Inc.- Provided recommendations on architecture decisions and engineering best practices.
- Redesigned Noodle’s search architecture, improving reliability, performance, and scalability.
- Independently designed and developed command line tools to seamlessly manage developer interactions between environments.
- Developed and supported a versioned API, making Noodle’s search features more available both internally and to external partners.
Technologies: Django, Python, PostgreSQLSenior Software Engineer
2013 - 2015Allclasses, Inc.- Performed integrations with third-party data providers including Facebook and Yelp.
- Independently built the Allclasses iOS application, available on the App Store.
- Transitioned Allclasses to Elasticsearch and designed indexing strategies as well as back-end search code.
- Developed the API powering both the Allclasses website and iOS application.
Technologies: Flask, Python, Elasticsearch, AWS, Backbone.js, JavaScriptLead Developer
2013 - 2015Dressed Salads HK- Designed and developed an web-based ordering system for all of Dressed's HK locations.
- Localized site content and layout to Chinese.
- Developed HTML5-based mobile applications for tablet/smartphone.
- Integrated payment processing features, handling almost $1M HKD worth of transactions within first six months after launch.
Technologies: Python, Django, LESS, Backbone.js, PostgreSQLSenior Developer
2013 - 2014Construct Digital- Developed core features for the Symplfy UAE car portal.
- Wrote external vendor integration tools via the SharePoint lists service API.
Technologies: Python, Django, MySQLSenior Developer
2012 - 2014Bread Retail Software and Systems- Analyzed DB performance issues and made query optimization and indexing recommendations, in many cases increasing performance by a factor of 10.
- Implemented DB replication for in-store POS and web-based ordering systems.
- Integrated automatic build and deployment processes.
- Administered several Linux-based servers, managing separate staging and production environments.
Technologies: Python, Django, PostgreSQLVP of Engineering
2011 - 2012Genie Capital, Ltd.- Led a team of eight engineers in the development of Python-based, large-scale social networking software.
- Defined company-wide engineering best practices including source control, unit testing, build processes, project management, and code style.
- Worked within a Chinese-speaking team.
- Represented company at trade events both in Taiwan and abroad.
- Made key architecture and technology platform decisions.
Technologies: Python, Erlang, JavaScript, MongoDB, Redis, DjangoDeveloper
2005 - 2006University of Michigan- Designed, developed, and maintained web-based tools designed to improve accessibility to engineering classroom facilities.
- Developed web-based software to record lectures and make streaming videos publicly available online.
- Redesigned the UM technology guide website, a directory of classroom technology facilities published for students and faculty.
- Troubleshot equipment failures and provided on-site support to university faculty.
Technologies: PHP, SQL, HTML, CSS
Experience
- Dressed On-the-go (Development)
Built an online ordering system for the popular HK salad franchise. Since February 2013, On-the-go has handled over $500,000 HKD worth of transactions and is now being used across all of Dressed's five Hong Kong locations.
- Allclasses (Development)
Allclasses is the world's largest search engine for local and online classes. Apart from significant back-end and front-end web development work, I was responsible for the entire iOS app development cycle.
- Global Leadership Adventures (Development)http://www.experiencegla.com
Designed and built an online application and student registration system, allowing GLA to process thousands of applications and manage trips from one central location.
- Expat Workforce (Development)
Founded an expat job marketplace that connects professional expats with local employers in need of high-quality, internationally minded talent. Acquired by Recruu, Inc. in 2014.
Skills
Languages
Python, Sass, Less, HTML5, Objective-C, SQL, JavaScript, PHP, Go, ErlangFrameworks
Flask, Django, Laravel, iOS SDK, CakePHPLibraries/APIs
Backbone.js, jQuery, React, Yelp API, Facebook iOS SDK, Facebook APIPlatforms
MacOS, Linux, iOSTools
Subversion (SVN), Xcode, Git, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe PhotoshopStorage
Elasticsearch, Redis, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDBParadigms
Functional Programming, Test-driven Development (TDD)
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) degree in Computer Science Engineering2004 - 2009University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan
