Craig is available for hire

Craig Adam

Verified Expert in Engineering

Software Developer

Location

Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Toptal Member Since

July 10, 2022

A born technologist, Craig has been writing code for over 30 years. He is seasoned in solution and technical architecture and has led technical professionals his entire career. As a CTO, Craig has founded two startups in two very different contexts and built their products from the ground up. He enjoys building scalable cloud infrastructure using Terraform on AWS and writing React and Node.js code using TypeScript. Craig's base speed is fast, as he likes to deliver excellent projects quickly.

Full-stack Software Engineering Back-end Cloud Infrastructure JavaScript React Node.js Jira REST APIs Terraform Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS Lambda GraphQL MVP Design Front-end Oracle Forms Expo EDI

Portfolio

Propra

TypeScript, React, Expo, Node.js, Terraform, GitHub, MongoDB...

KORE

Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Agile Sprints, Agile DevOps, Agile Coaching...

SkipTheDishes

Terraform, Jenkins, Agile, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement...

Experience

Architecture - 20 years JavaScript - 20 years CI/CD Pipelines - 8 years React - 7 years Node.js - 7 years Cloud Infrastructure - 5 years Terraform - 5 years TypeScript - 2 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

MacOS, TypeScript, React, Node.js, JavaScript, Agile DevOps, AWS Lambda, Amazon Web Services (AWS), GraphQL, Apollo Server

The most amazing...

...thing I've built from scratch is a property management SaaS completed with blockchain accounting, multi-channel communication, and multiple mobile apps.

Work Experience

CTO

2021 - PRESENT

Propra

Worked as a technical co-founder. Built property management software as a service (SaaS) from scratch, including full-stack development and cloud infrastructure.
Headed engineering, product, and design teams. Established software development lifecycle (SDLC) processes and standards.
Designed and implemented a blockchain-based double-entry accounting system using AWS serverless technologies.
Created and implemented a multichannel resident communication system using AWS serverless technologies.
Designed and implemented multiple cross-platform mobile apps using the Expo framework and Expo Application Services (EAS).

Technologies: TypeScript, React, Expo, Node.js, Terraform, GitHub, MongoDB, Cloud Infrastructure, Architecture, JavaScript, Datadog, CI/CD Pipelines, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), React Apollo, Agile DevOps, Agile Coaching, Agile, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Business Intelligence (BI), Jira, SQL, DevOps, OAuth 2, Technical Architecture, Python, Bash Script, Jira Administration, Writing & Editing, Full-stack, React Native, App Store, Google Play Store, REST APIs, Back-end, AWS Lambda, Webhooks, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MVP Design, Mobile, iOS, MySQL, APIs, API Integration, OpenAI GPT-4 API, ChatGPT, OpenAI GPT-3 API, Figma, Storybook, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Front-end

VP of Software Engineering

2019 - 2020

KORE

Transformed the software engineering organization using Agile principles to accelerate delivery and improve quality.
Developed and led a project to launch a cold-chain IoT monitoring product using AWS Marketplace integrations.
Mentored middle managers to improve the effectiveness of their coaching with individual contributors. Identified and separated low-performing contributors by developing explicit expectation documents and ensuring regular reviews.

Technologies: Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Agile Sprints, Agile DevOps, Agile Coaching, GraphQL, JavaScript, CI/CD Pipelines, Java, Agile, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Jira, Docker, SQL, DevOps, XML, Technical Architecture, Bash Script, Scrum, SOAP, Jira Administration, Writing & Editing, REST APIs, Back-end, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MVP Design, Twilio, Software Engineering, Software Architecture

Director of Technology

2017 - 2019

SkipTheDishes

Established a software operations center to monitor production apps, manage incidents, and ensure continuous availability. Automated many processes using Slack, Jira service desk, and PagerDuty.
Established a business intelligence (BI) team to provide business users with insights into user behaviors. Developed the prototype ETL design and designed the architecture for data engineering across the company.
Screened and hired hundreds of software developers, cloud infrastructure engineers, and other technical professionals to grow the engineering team from 30 to 300.
Assessed the payment infrastructure for PCI DSS compliance and led a remediation project to separate the payment environment from other production services.
Designed and implemented a WordPress-based intranet site for internal communications. Integrated authentication with Google Workspace to control access and allow managers to edit their department's content.

Technologies: Terraform, Jenkins, Agile, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Business Intelligence (BI), PagerDuty, Jira, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Docker, Cloud Infrastructure, Architecture, JavaScript, Datadog, CI/CD Pipelines, Java, Agile Sprints, Agile DevOps, Agile Coaching, MongoDB, SQL, DevOps, Java 8, Technical Architecture, Python, Bash Script, Scrum, Bitbucket, Jira Administration, Writing & Editing, Full-stack, PostgreSQL, Matillion ETL for Redshift, Amazon Redshift Spectrum, Redshift, WordPress, REST APIs, Back-end, AWS Lambda, Webhooks, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MySQL, APIs, Twilio, Figma, Software Engineering, Software Architecture

Principal Consultant

2016 - 2017

Norima Consulting

Consulted with prospective clients to understand needs and help devise technical strategies, including staffing requirements. Screened technical personnel to ensure good matches with client projects.
Provided support to developers and testers in an on-premise Oracle environment to ensure the successful delivery of project requirements. Developed scripts in PL/SQL affecting millions of dollars in benefits payments and thousands of beneficiaries.
Developed pension-specific features for a custom administration tool using React and Node.js.

Technologies: Agile, Scrum, Node.js, React, Redux, Koa, SQL, PL/SQL, Oracle Forms, Cloud Infrastructure, Architecture, JavaScript, CI/CD Pipelines, Agile Sprints, Agile Coaching, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Jira, Docker, NGINX, DevOps, Technical Architecture, Bash Script, Jira Administration, Writing & Editing, Full-stack, REST APIs, Back-end, Microsoft SQL Server, APIs, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Front-end

Manager, Systems Development

2014 - 2016

Telpay

Hired and trained an agile development team, leading them to deliver the next generation of the company's flagship software for handling B2B bank payments.
Designed and developed Telpay Connect, an integration utility to allow users to integrate online accounting SaaS with legacy desktop software.
Designed infrastructure for running critical apps in an on-premise environment with automated deployments driven by Jenkins.
Designed and developed an internal PHP-based tool to send targeted marketing emails using Laravel and email APIs.

Technologies: Agile, DevOps, Jenkins, Apache Tomcat, Spring, Java 8, Angular, PHP, VBScript, OAuth 2, XML, Technical Architecture, Python, Architecture, JavaScript, CI/CD Pipelines, Java, Agile Sprints, Agile DevOps, Agile Coaching, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Jira, Docker, NGINX, SQL, Laravel, Bash Script, Scrum, Jira Administration, Writing & Editing, Full-stack, PostgreSQL, REST APIs, Back-end, MVP Design, APIs, API Integration, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Front-end

Manager

2005 - 2014

Shaw

Served in various technical leadership roles coaching and mentoring individual contributors to achieve their highest potential.
Developed an internal reference tool using the JQuery/LAMP stack that reduced order entry errors and increased customer service agent efficiency.
Designed and built a variety of desktop utilities for managing technical operations within the regional operations centers across Canada using C#, Windows Forms, and SQL Server Express.
Developed XML extraction and parsing tools for call center management, including XML Stylesheet Transformations for executive reports.
Implemented a SharePoint intranet site to serve as a communications hub as part of an organizational change management strategy. Included interactive elements and role-based access control.

Technologies: Agile, Java, jQuery, JavaScript, PHP, C#, SQL, Architecture, Agile Sprints, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Business Intelligence (BI), Jira, Technical Architecture, Bash Script, Bitbucket, XML Parsing, Writing & Editing, Full-stack, SharePoint, Microsoft SQL Server, MVP Design, MySQL, APIs, Software Engineering, Software Architecture

Director of Technology

2000 - 2004

OjiCree

Co-founded a technology startup to help First Nations manage social assistance programs, improve efficiency, and reduce fraud.
Designed and developed flagship software using ASP.NET in a multi-tenant environment.
Developed a desktop accounting module using C# that connected to the online service through SOAP/XML.

Technologies: Active Server Pages (ASP), ASP.NET, Microsoft Access, XML, CSS, HTML, C#, SOAP, Architecture, IT Project Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), SQL, Technical Architecture, Bash Script, XML Parsing, Writing & Editing, Full-stack, Back-end, Microsoft SQL Server, MVP Design, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Front-end

Experience

CluJR Application

https://clujr.com/

A Vue-based app for visually tracking notes in the board game Clue to allow pre-literate children to enjoy the game. It provides a persistent state without logging in and an entirely reading-optional experience. The app is delivered using serverless technology, allowing an entirely elastic cost structure.

Telpay Connect

https://www.telpay.ca/for-business/make-payments/

A Laravel-based PHP app to provide integration between Telpay's legacy desktop software and cloud accounting providers, QuickBooks Online and Xero. The app uses OAuth 2 to communicate with provider APIs and allows users to download formatted EDI files to import their payables or payroll.

VUSN Community Site

An ASP.NET web application to serve as a community hub for the Virtual US Navy, a group of Microsoft Flight Simulator enthusiasts. The app allowed community administrators to manage membership, featured user accounts, message boards, and dynamically generated award images.

Performance Optimization of React App

An enterprise B2B React app facing some performance issues at scale. Through code analysis, I found the React code was tightly coupled with the API response data, which led to rapidly cycling loading states and more renders than were necessary. Therefore, I implemented RTK Query as a client-side caching layer to abstract network communications from data access. The reduced rendering provided a significantly improved user experience.

Skills

Languages

JavaScript, GraphQL, HTML, TypeScript, Java, C#, PHP, SQL, Java 8, XML, Bash Script, CSS, VBScript, Python, Active Server Pages (ASP), C#.NET, Dart

Libraries/APIs

React, Node.js, REST APIs, Vue, jQuery

Tools

Terraform, React Apollo, Jira, Expo, Bitbucket, GitHub, Jenkins, NGINX, Apache Tomcat, Oracle Forms, Microsoft Access, Matillion ETL for Redshift, Amazon Redshift Spectrum, ChatGPT, Figma

Paradigms

Agile, Scrum, REST, Business Intelligence (BI), DevOps

Platforms

AWS Lambda, Amazon Web Services (AWS), WordPress, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), PagerDuty, Docker, SharePoint, Mobile, iOS, Twilio

Other

Cloud Infrastructure, Architecture, CI/CD Pipelines, IT Project Management, Technical Architecture, Full-stack, Back-end, APIs, Software Engineering, Software Architecture, Budgeting, Jira Administration, Writing & Editing, Webhooks, SaaS, MVP Design, API Integration, Front-end, Business, Agile Sprints, Agile DevOps, Agile Coaching, Procurement, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), SOAP, App Store, Google Play Store, Apollo Server, OpenAI GPT-4 API, OpenAI GPT-3 API, Storybook

Frameworks

Laravel, React Native, OAuth 2, Spring, Angular, Redux, Koa, ASP.NET, Flutter

Storage

PostgreSQL, MySQL, Datadog, MongoDB, PL/SQL, XML Parsing, Redshift, Microsoft SQL Server

Education

2019 - 2022

Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

Athabasca University - Athabasca, Canada

2013 - 2017

Bachelor of Management Degree in Business Administration

Athabasca University - Athabasca, Canada

Certifications

MAY 2020 - MAY 2023

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate

AWS

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