Dante is available for hire
Hire DanteDante Camarena
Verified Expert in Engineering
Game Engine Programming Developer
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toptal member since February 27, 2019
Bio
Dante is a generalist software engineer with experience in web, VR, AI, and games. His past roles in research, management, and innovation have given him ample skillsets that allow him to tackle wide problems uniquely and drill deeply into their implementation.
Portfolio
Freelance
Consulting, C#, Git, TypeScript, .NET, Unreal Engine 4, SQL, OpenGL, Shaders...
Transitional Forms Inc
Virtual Reality (VR), Neural Networks, Large Language Models (LLMs)...
Verizon (Ryot Lab)
Android, Augmented Reality (AR), Git, SQL, OpenGL, Shaders, Back-end...
Experience
- Game Engine Programming - 13 years
- .NET - 13 years
- C# - 12 years
- Computer Graphics - 10 years
- TypeScript - 6 years
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) - 5 years
- C++ - 5 years
- Reinforcement Learning - 5 years
Availability
Full-time
Preferred Environment
C++, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, 3D, Optimization, Git, .NET, Unity3D, Cross-platform App Development
The most amazing...
...thing about this career is that every new position is always full of interesting nuance and challenge. I've never had a boring position.
Work Experience
Consultant, Developer
2019 - PRESENT
Freelance
- Interpreted legal text to create a spreadsheet system for Pensiones Mexico, helping thousands of retirees maximize their pensions.
- Assisted researchers at St Michael's by creating an app to support problem gamblers, managing external consultants, and overseeing requirements.
- Upgraded Streampoint’s legacy payment system to add new payment features and improve security and compliance.
- Developed innovative LLM-powered game features for Computechnosoft.
- Contributed to an art-focused skating game for Ravine Studios.
Technologies: Consulting, C#, Git, TypeScript, .NET, Unreal Engine 4, SQL, OpenGL, Shaders, Front-end, Back-end, Full-stack, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, 3D, Unity3D, 3D Assets, Mobile, Cross-platform App Development, AR Foundation, iOS
Co-founder, Technical Director
2019 - 2024
Transitional Forms Inc
- Managed multiple teams in a startup, assisting with business administration and helping to raise three years of runway. Prototyped cutting-edge systems to support innovative projects.
- Directed Agence, an AI-driven interactive short film featured at the Venice Film Festival.
- Led technical development for Malakai, a modular AI music generator inspired by modular synthesizers.
- Directed Little Learning Machines, a charming game about training neural networks, earning multiple awards.
- Oversaw technical management of Thealogue, a system for organizing 10,000+ assets for the popular YouTube series Crash Course.
- Directed RobotsMakeTV, an LLM-driven TV network showcasing some of the first generative shows on Twitch, emphasizing interactivity.
Technologies: Virtual Reality (VR), Neural Networks, Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Language Model Operations (LLMOps), Reinforcement Learning, Unity, gRPC, Python, Docker, Game Design, Game AI, Startups, Startup Funding, C#, Git, TypeScript, .NET, SQL, OpenGL, Shaders, Front-end, Back-end, Full-stack, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, 3D, Unity3D, 3D Assets, Mobile, Cross-platform App Development
AR Engineer
2019 - 2019
Verizon (Ryot Lab)
- Implemented rendering features for an AR advertising platform.
- Optimized serialization, reducing ad load time by over 60% in most cases.
- Onboarded and delivered key features within the first week.
Technologies: Android, Augmented Reality (AR), Git, SQL, OpenGL, Shaders, Back-end, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, 3D, Unity3D, 3D Assets, Mobile, Cross-platform App Development, AR Foundation, iOS
Research and Teaching
2015 - 2019
Toronto Metropolitan University
- Helped design courses in Algorithms, Compilers, Virtual Reality, and Introduction to Computer Science.
- Worked on research related to VR, computer graphics, and machine learning.
- Participated in organization and governance of student organizations and departments.
Technologies: Virtual Reality (VR), DirectX, C++, Education, C#, Git, Algorithms, .NET, Compilers, Functional Programming, OpenGL, SteamVR, Shaders, Back-end, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, Unity3D, 3D Assets, Cross-platform App Development
VR Developer
2017 - 2018
Secret Location
- Designed and implemented a VR interoperable UI/input platform, which reduced the codebase by 25%, improved the framerate to acceptable levels, and reduced the app startup by four seconds.
- Created a cryptographic DRM SDK for a blockchain platform, which ensured extensibility, security, and obfuscation.
- Designed and implemented systems for management of LBE devices: library management, hardware monitoring, as well as a high-performance remote messaging service for the platform.
- Designed and implemented web-based a hardware-accelerated VR visual overlay for multiple VR platforms.
Technologies: Win32, OpenVR, DirectX, C++, gRPC, Android, Java, JavaScript, Unity, C#, Virtual Reality (VR), Windows, Git, TypeScript, .NET, SQL, OpenGL, SteamVR, Shaders, Front-end, Back-end, Full-stack, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, 3D, Unity3D, 3D Assets, Mobile, Cross-platform App Development, iOS
VR Developer
2016 - 2016
Fast Motion Studios
- Merged an OptiTrack motion capture stream with Google Cardboard sensors to create a multiplayer low-latency, warehouse-scale VR platform.
- Implemented a standalone PhysX manager that merged kinematic MoCap-tracked rigid bodies with virtually generated objects.
- Optimized the networking to ensure an optimal throughput through a local network and minimal latency.
- Implemented a sensor fusion using IMU readings from the headset and network-latent corrections from MoCap software.
- Developed VR gloves for interacting with objects in the world. These would communicate with the system through frequency modulated infrared LEDs.
Technologies: Google Daydream, Motion Capture, C++, C#, Virtual Reality (VR), Git, .NET, SteamVR, Shaders, Back-end, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, 3D, Unity3D, 3D Assets, Mobile
Lead Android Developer
2014 - 2015
MixItMedia
- Developed a location-driven interactive story-telling platform with augmented reality components; it's similar to Pokémon Go, two years before it was released. The same system was used to create a tour guide application for a City of Toronto event.
- Integrated custom 2D UI designs into a fully animated Android UI.
- Added content streaming, which included voice-overs, videos, and subtitles.
- Integrated Bluetooth beacon support for hidden object integrations.
- Added a ghost catching minigame where a ghost would float around you and required you to capture it with your camera.
Technologies: Augmented Reality (AR), Java, C++, Android, Git, Shaders, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, 3D Assets
Experience
Mesh Deformations in Unity
https://github.com/MHDante/UnitySoftbodies/blob/master/Assets/Scripts/MsdEcs.csA CPU implementation of Mattias Muller's 2005 paper on mesh deformation in the Unity 3D game engine. The purpose of the code I created was to allow a deformable mesh to interact with the existing physics system used by Unity. The development hardships included extending the built-in linear algebra system to support 9x3 and 9x9 matrices.
NYT VR App
https://www.nytco.com/press/nyt-vr-app-now-compatible-with-daydream/This is a VR journalism app with over 1 million downloads that brings the user into some of the most compelling narratives in the world.
I worked on the UI and streaming optimization, which improved the user tracking and reduced the load times by 80%.
I worked on the UI and streaming optimization, which improved the user tracking and reduced the load times by 80%.
Little Learning Machines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_NGucEip08It is an innovative, cute little game that allows players to train neural networks through reinforcement learning. It uses game design to highlight good patterns in simulation design. This game won multiple awards, including "GDC Best in Play."
Education
2012 - 2017
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Ryerson University - Toronto, Canada
Skills
Libraries/APIs
DirectX, OpenGL
Tools
Git
Languages
C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, C++, SQL
Frameworks
Unity, .NET, gRPC, Unity3D, AR Foundation, Unreal Engine 4
Platforms
Windows, SteamVR, Android, Mobile, iOS, Win32, Google Daydream, Docker
Paradigms
Functional Programming
Other
Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), 3D, Reinforcement Learning, Game AI, Startups, Game Engine Programming, Game Development, Algorithms, Optimization, Computer Graphics, Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Neural Networks, Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Language Model Operations (LLMOps), Game Design, Startup Funding, Education, Consulting, Shaders, Back-end, Full-stack, 3D Assets, Cross-platform App Development, OpenVR, Motion Capture, Compilers, Front-end
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