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David Seaward
Verified Expert in Engineering
Open-source License Developer
Torquay, United Kingdom
Toptal member since June 10, 2020
Bio
David is a software engineer with over 15 years of experience in software architecture, Python, and open source technologies. He has successfully modernized 15+ microservices, doubling flow efficiency and unblocking IoT workflows. He reduced GDPR legal request turnaround by 85% in six months. David has demonstrated the ability to revive stalled projects in just two weeks and improve team morale, reducing daily meetings by 88%.
Portfolio
Canonical
OpenAPI, Snapcraft, Juju, Python, Rapid Prototyping, Design Specifications...
Self-employed
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Reporting, C#, Visual Studio, NumPy, Matplotlib...
Purism
Reporting, OpenLDAP, NGINX, RabbitMQ, Celery, Rapid Prototyping...
Experience
- Prototyping - 15 years
- Requirements Analysis - 15 years
- Open-source License - 15 years
- Empathy - 15 years
- Iterative Delivery - 15 years
- Web Architecture - 15 years
- Python - 10 years
- System Integration - 10 years
Preferred Environment
Linux, Python, FastAPI
The most amazing...
...project I've contributed to is Everything LTS, an ambitious and sustainable initiative for open-source software.
Work Experience
Software Engineer II
2022 - PRESENT
Canonical
- Contributed to the design and development of the "Everything LTS" back end.
- Modernized 15+ high-volume microservices in 12 months, increasing flow efficiency by 100% and unblocking IoT workflows (Flask, FastAPI, OpenAPI schemas).
- Supported two legacy monoliths (Django REST framework, strangler fig pattern).
- Developed cross-team workflows with three other engineering departments and reduced turnaround on high-volume legal requests (GDPR) by 85% in six months.
- Reduced developer onboarding tasks to one day, expanded coding standards, and modernized other process documentation (Diataxis).
- Screened 10+ engineering applicants for Python knowledge, engineering practices, and team fit, leading to two successful hires.
Technologies: OpenAPI, Snapcraft, Juju, Python, Rapid Prototyping, Design Specifications, Debian Linux, Open Source, FastAPI, Flask, REST
Software Architect
2020 - 2022
Self-employed
- Revived a stalled project in two weeks through stakeholder interviews and technical specs.
- Championed engineering best practices with a team of six fintech developers, improving morale and reducing daily meetings by 88%.
- Reduced toolchain costs by selecting open-source and favorable paid solutions.
- Maintained, documented, and deployed a multi-server trading system (NumPy, pandas, C#) and leveraged Jupyter Notebook for numerical analysis.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Reporting, C#, Visual Studio, NumPy, Matplotlib, OpenLDAP, NGINX, RabbitMQ, Celery, Rapid Prototyping, Continuous Integration (CI), Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, User-driven Development, System Integration, Empathy, Code Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Workflow, Functional Specifications, Prototyping, Open Source, Iterative Delivery, Business Analysis, Linux, DevOps, Django REST Framework, Test-driven Development (TDD), Django, SQLAlchemy, Git, Debian Linux, Python, SQL, Web Architecture
Director of Trustworthy Services
2017 - 2020
Purism
- Hired and directly managed five cross-disciplinary developers across all regions.
- Launched four privacy-oriented services across three platforms (Android, iOS, Linux) successfully by leading a user-driven product requirements process.
- Built Django middleware to integrate four heterogeneous services, including authentication (LDAP) and subscription (WooCommerce).
- Published eight posts appealing to everyday, enthusiast, and experienced users.
Technologies: Reporting, OpenLDAP, NGINX, RabbitMQ, Celery, Rapid Prototyping, Continuous Integration (CI), User-driven Development, System Integration, Empathy, Code Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Workflow, Functional Specifications, Prototyping, Open Source, Iterative Delivery, Business Analysis, Linux, DevOps, Django REST Framework, Test-driven Development (TDD), Django, SQLAlchemy, Git, Debian Linux, Python, SQL, Web Architecture, WooCommerce, IMAP, OpenVPN, Creative Commons, Open-source License, Design Specifications
Senior Software Developer
2015 - 2016
Triggerfish Animation Studios
- Acclimated quickly to new domain-specific challenges (FFmpeg, PyMEL, etc.).
- Developed a dashboard interface to administer a cloud vendor service and help production staff track and visualize progress across all departments (Django, NumPy, Matplotlib).
- Implemented software engineering practices in the animation pipeline to unblock dailies between distributed studios (Africa and Europe) and save Christmas.
Technologies: Reporting, NumPy, Matplotlib, NGINX, RabbitMQ, Celery, Rapid Prototyping, Continuous Integration (CI), User-driven Development, System Integration, Empathy, Code Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Workflow, Functional Specifications, Prototyping, Open Source, Iterative Delivery, Business Analysis, Linux, DevOps, Django REST Framework, Test-driven Development (TDD), Django, SQLAlchemy, Git, Debian Linux, Python, SQL, Web Architecture, PySide, PyQt, Maya, Design Specifications, FFmpeg
Software Developer
2007 - 2015
j5 International
- Designed, implemented, tested, and maintained electronic logbooks in Python for nine industrial clients (cyclotron, energy, mining, and power), contributing to 89% client retention.
- Tested, deployed, and maintained systems in Windows/SQL Server (LANs and MANs).
- Handled migrations, training, documentation, and support for clients and three partners.
Technologies: Reporting, SOAP, OpenLDAP, NGINX, Rapid Prototyping, Continuous Integration (CI), System Integration, Empathy, Code Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Workflow, Functional Specifications, Prototyping, Open Source, Iterative Delivery, Business Analysis, Linux, DevOps, Test-driven Development (TDD), SQLAlchemy, Git, Debian Linux, Python, SQL, Web Architecture, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Jenkins, Oracle, MySQL, BIRT, SCADA, Design Specifications
Software Developer
2004 - 2007
Open Box Software
- Implemented and maintained 5+ MANs C#/.NET web applications (real estate and finance).
- Built and contributed to four internal web applications and toolchains.
- Contributed to other duties, including greenfield business analysis, project planning, and .NET toolchain maintenance.
Technologies: C#, Visual Studio, Empathy, Code Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Workflow, Functional Specifications, Prototyping, Iterative Delivery, Business Analysis, SQL, Web Architecture, ASP.NET, VB.NET, Design Specifications
Experience
Distributed System (Microservices)
https://canonical.com/blog/canonical-offers-12-year-lts-for-any-open-source-docker-imageEverything LTS represents the hard work and coordination of several engineering departments, bringing supply chain management to open source. I contributed to the technical design and ongoing development of the back-end system.
Product Launch
https://puri.sm/posts/2019-year-in-review-librem-one/Librem One is a bundle of privacy-oriented services for everyday users. I led the launch of all four services across three platforms. This required translating the company vision into concrete technical requirements, implementing them, and managing a team of cross-functional developers.
Animation Pipeline
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11714896/Revolting Rhymes was a two-part animated Christmas special for the BBC. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. I supported the animation pipeline with production tracking and systems integration at Triggerfish.
Education
2015 - 2015
Bachelor of Science Degree (Honors) in Computer Science
University of Cape Town - Cape Town, South Africa
1998 - 2004
Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Literature
University of Cape Town - Cape Town, South Africa
Certifications
JUNE 2020 - PRESENT
AWS Fundamentals: Going Cloud-Native
Coursera
Skills
Libraries/APIs
SQLAlchemy, OpenLDAP, Matplotlib, NumPy, PyQt, PySide, OpenAPI, FFmpeg
Tools
Git, Celery, RabbitMQ, NGINX, OpenVPN, Maya, Jenkins, Visual Studio
Languages
Python, SQL, C#, VB.NET
Paradigms
Web Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Test-driven Development (TDD), User-driven Development, Continuous Integration (CI), Rapid Prototyping, DevOps, Microservices, REST
Frameworks
Django, Django REST Framework, ASP.NET, Juju, Flask
Platforms
Debian Linux, Linux, WooCommerce, BIRT, Oracle, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Storage
PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server
Other
Business Analysis, Iterative Delivery, Open Source, Prototyping, Functional Specifications, Workflow, Code Architecture, Empathy, Creative Commons, Open-source License, Design Specifications, System Integration, SCADA, Cloud Storage, Cloud Computing, IMAP, Reporting, SOAP, Snapcraft, FastAPI, Privacy
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