Keith Zimmerman, Developer in Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Keith Zimmerman

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Software Developer

Minneapolis, MN, United States

Toptal member since November 30, 2014

Expertise
Full-stackWeb DevelopmentDatabasesSQLOracleJavaJavaScriptJiraAgile Software DevelopmentTypeScriptConfluenceBitbucketMongoDB
Bio

Keith is an experienced architect, developer, and modeler with superb communication skills and the ability to see a project through from beginning to end. He is equally comfortable with the rapid prototyping needs of startup companies and the Agile development workflow in larger teams.

Portfolio

NextEra Analytics (via Super Go Faster)
Java, Kotlin, Vue 2, Vue 3, Python, Python 3, Vue, Vite, TypeScript, PostgreSQL...
Yukon Solutions
Streaming, HTTP, React, Angular, Node.js, TypeScript, JSON, Ajax, REST...
Fortune 50 Heavy Equipment Manufacturer
Oracle, Python, Java, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Jira, Scrum...

Experience

Databases - 20 yearsSQL - 18 yearsJava - 16 yearsOracle - 16 yearsJavaScript - 13 yearsAgile Software Development - 10 yearsREST - 10 yearsTypeScript - 8 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Atlassian, Jenkins, OS X, IntelliJ IDEA, Git

The most amazing...

...learning experience I had early in my career was in a performance benchmark project for a large retailer.

Work Experience

Principal Software Developer

2020 - PRESENT
NextEra Analytics (via Super Go Faster)
  • Built up a new Vue app from scratch with one other team member, when we both had no prior Vue experience. We chose Vue 2 with Composition API, which was new at the time and allowed for full TypeScript compatibility.
  • Added new functionality to an Angular mobile web app used by technicians in the field. The web app had to work well for long offline periods during remote fieldwork.
  • Adapted to quarterly team changes quickly which would often leave me as the sole senior developer remaining. I worked diligently to build up any new team members while continuing to complete all the same development tasks.
  • Supported numerous heavy analytics applications written in Python and Julia. Learned how to work with combinations in an efficient manner.
  • Worked with a PostgreSQL database with PostGIS to query for land clusters on a US map, using functions like ST_Intersect. Created geometry indexes for lightning-fast responses.
  • Created brand new map visualizations for energy prospects. Used Leaflet to add both raster data and GeoJSON data to the map, with interactive markers and tooltips.
Technologies: Java, Kotlin, Vue 2, Vue 3, Python, Python 3, Vue, Vite, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, JSON, Ajax, REST, REST APIs, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Jira, Scrum, Agile Software Development, HTML5, Front-end, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Linux, Security, CSS, Test-driven Development (TDD), Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Node.js, Angular, Confluence, Data Modeling, Single-page Applications (SPA), HTML, Continuous Integration (CI), MacOS, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Kanban, Prototyping, Front-end Development, APIs, GraphQL, Microservices, Mobile Web, Docker, Amazon DynamoDB, Full-stack, Mobile, Web Development, IntelliJ IDEA, Full-stack Development, AWS Lambda, React Query

Freelance Developer

2017 - PRESENT
Yukon Solutions
  • Prototyped web applications using Node.js with Angular 2+ or React.
  • Taught junior developers the concepts behind front-end and back-end development, including work in Node.js, React, Angular, Jest, and Ant Design.
  • Handled administration for a WordPress site that brought students and colleges together.
Technologies: Streaming, HTTP, React, Angular, Node.js, TypeScript, JSON, Ajax, REST, REST APIs, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, MongoDB, HTML5, CSS, GitHub, NoSQL, Bootstrap, Jest, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), MySQL, Bitbucket, Data Modeling, Single-page Applications (SPA), HTML, Continuous Integration (CI), MacOS, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Trello, Prototyping, Front-end Development, Antd, MEAN Stack, GraphQL, Mobile Web, PHP, Docker, Amazon DynamoDB, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Full-stack, Mobile, Web Development, DigitalOcean, WordPress, Next.js, Full-stack Development, AWS Lambda, Ant Design, React Query, TanStack Router

Senior DAM Support Specialist

2018 - 2020
Fortune 50 Heavy Equipment Manufacturer
  • Built and supported the entire software architecture of OpenText Media Manager, the digital asset manager used by the company to store all marketing images and 3D models.
  • Developed scripts in Python and PowerShell to provide maintenance reports, such as a daily report to show any files that failed to make it through every step of an automated data flow.
  • Led all development meetings as the team's scrum master and Agile expert.
  • Leveraged 3rd-party Computer Vision tools (Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services) for recognizing faces and other objects in image assets.
Technologies: Oracle, Python, Java, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Jira, Scrum, Agile Software Development, HTML5, Linux, Security, Data Modeling, HTML, Continuous Integration (CI), Front-end Development, Mobile Web, Docker, Architecture, Web Development

Lead Web Developer

2015 - 2017
ShopperTrak
  • Led a small team of API developers remotely based in Chicago. Promoted Agile patterns, including team-driven processes.
  • Used Node.js to communicate with existing web services and Amazon Redshift data warehouse.
  • Documented all systems and processes in the company's Confluence-based wiki.
  • Started and maintained the company initiative of using TeamCity CI for CI and CD.
  • Trained and mentored junior developers in all aspects of full-stack development, including unit testing, end-to-end testing using Protractor, automation, coding conventions, design patterns, fundamental theory, and performance load testing.
  • Maintained a Docker image for automated end-to-end testing in a browser.
  • Developed queries in MongoDB for user data and geographical data. Used 2dsphere indexes for geographical data. Leveraged aggregation operations for complex data problems.
Technologies: MongoDB, Node.js, TypeScript, JSON, Ajax, REST, REST APIs, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Jira, Scrum, Agile Software Development, HTML5, Front-end, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Linux, Security, CSS, Test-driven Development (TDD), NoSQL, Bootstrap, Jest, Protractor, Confluence, Single-page Applications (SPA), HTML, Continuous Integration (CI), MacOS, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Front-end Development, APIs, MEAN Stack, Mobile Web, Docker, Jasmine, Architecture, Full-stack, Mobile, Web Development, IntelliJ IDEA, Full-stack Development, AWS Lambda, Microservices

Web Development Contractor

2012 - 2014
Lifetouch
  • Built a new visual graphics editor using AngularJS and Grails.
  • Reverse-engineered an account management system into a new Grails web app with an Ext JS front end.
  • Independently created a new CMS web application in Grails and refactored an existing JSF web application to use the CMS.
  • Worked in rapid development cycles with a cross-location team.
  • Converted a desktop-only website to a mobile single-page application using AngularJS.
Technologies: Oracle, jQuery, Ext JS, AngularJS, Grails, Groovy, REST APIs, REST, Ajax, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Jira, Scrum, Agile Software Development, HTML5, Front-end, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Linux, Security, CSS, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Node.js, Angular, Confluence, Spock, Data Modeling, Single-page Applications (SPA), HTML, Continuous Integration (CI), MacOS, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Front-end Development, APIs, Mobile Web, JUnit, Jasmine, Full-stack, Mobile, Web Development, IntelliJ IDEA, Apache Ant, Full-stack Development

Manager, Web Development

2008 - 2011
Merrill Communications, LLC
  • Managed a large (30+) development group for the DataSite web application, a leading virtual deal room provider.
  • Maintained and supported DataSite 6 while keeping as many developers focused on DataSite 7 as possible.
  • Enabled the team to lead themselves by employing managerial techniques influenced by Scrum and Kanban.
  • Led data clean-up and migration efforts for all data in the Oracle RDBMS.
  • Reviewed and created technical designs in Confluence and Gliffy.
  • Administered the Jira project, including custom workflows and fields.
  • Created and managed all ISO 27001 controls for development.
  • Provided development direction with a focus on security and performance.
Technologies: REST, Oracle, Apache Tomcat, Spring, Apache Struts, Java, REST APIs, Ajax, XML, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Jira, Scrum, Agile Software Development, HTML5, Linux, Security, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Confluence, Single-page Applications (SPA), HTML, Continuous Integration (CI), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Kanban, Front-end Development, APIs, Mobile Web, JUnit, Architecture, Full-stack, Mobile, Web Development, IntelliJ IDEA, Apache Ant, Apache Struts 2, Full-stack Development

Technical Lead, Web Development

2007 - 2008
Merrill Communications, LLC
  • Designed and architected all development projects.
  • Led the project to internationalize a large web application, leveraging Struts and Ext JS.
  • Designed a data model, data migration plan, and login experience for single sign-on.
  • Facilitated project management with a remote UK translation team and prioritized development tasks.
  • Created development processes and documentation for IT general controls: SOX compliance and ISO 27001 compliance.
  • Administered all document sharing, collaboration, and bug tracking within Microsoft SharePoint.
Technologies: HTML, Apache Struts, Java, JavaScript, Ext JS, XML, SQL, Databases, Front-end, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Linux, Security, CSS, Confluence, Data Modeling, Single-page Applications (SPA), Continuous Integration (CI), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Front-end Development, APIs, JUnit, Jasmine, Architecture, Full-stack, Mobile, Web Development, Apache Tomcat, IntelliJ IDEA, Apache Ant, Apache Struts 2, Full-stack Development

Web Development Consultant

2005 - 2007
Talent Software Services
  • Developed JavaScript UI controls before standard widget libraries were prevalent.
  • Made web services and service calls using SOAP and Apache Axis.
  • Designed a process for migrating all Oracle data to Unicode UTF-8.
  • Worked within a support rotation shift, where each developer would spend one week as the primary contact for production issues raised by customer support.
  • Rapidly implemented J2EE solutions within short development cycles.
Technologies: JavaScript, Apache Struts, Jakarta Server Pages (JSP), Java, Servlet, HTML, SQL, Databases, Linux, CSS, Front-end Development, Full-stack, Web Development, Apache Tomcat, IntelliJ IDEA, Apache Ant, Apache Struts 2, Full-stack Development

Web Development Consultant

2004 - 2005
Northrop Grumman
  • Maintained and enhanced an integrated USPS HR software system using Oracle and J2EE technology.
  • Became the team expert in J2EE, web services, MQ messaging, and Java Struts in a very short time while having little to no previous experience in each technology.
  • Augmented a J2EE web application that used Struts MVC and SOAP web services.
  • Repaired and modified a messaging system that used MQ Series and XML messages.
  • Fielded direct calls from clients during critical usage periods.
Technologies: SOAP, Apache Struts, Jakarta EE, Oracle PL/SQL, Oracle Forms, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Linux, CSS, HTML, Front-end Development, Web Development, NetBeans

Web Developer

2000 - 2004
Retek
  • Worked up from entry-level developing to leading a small sized (2-3 person) development group.
  • Built an integrated retail software system, RIB, using Oracle and J2EE technology.
  • Created user interfaces in RMS using Oracle Forms Developer 6i.
  • Integrated large retail applications using services and XML messaging.
  • Performance tuned code for high-volume databases using analysis tools such as tkprof and statspack.
  • Wrote helper scripts and file generators using Korn shell and Perl scripting.
  • Provided support and documentation to clients.
Technologies: Oracle PL/SQL, Oracle Forms, Oracle, SQL, JavaScript, Databases, Linux, Front-end Development, Perl, Web Development

Prestige Portraits

https://shop.prestigeportraits.com/shop/login.html
An eCommerce website designed for high school seniors to purchase their senior portraits. I had sole responsibility for the creation of a new in-house content management system, leveraging product data from in-house merchandising system.

Services provided: programming in Grails, J2EE and JQuery, performance monitoring, on-call support, and Oracle database analysis & scripting.

DataSite

http://www.datasite.com
DataSite is the world's leading virtual deal room provider. DataSite provides a global, secure solution for hosting all kinds of content for deals and contracts.
I managed and worked with the development team for DataSite, which required an intense focus on security and performance.
1996 - 2000

Bachelor's (with Honors) Degree in Computer Science (minor: Speech/Communications)

University of Minnesota Institute of Technology - Minneapolis, MN

Libraries/APIs

REST APIs, React, Node.js, jQuery, React Query, Antd, Vue 2, Vue 3, Vue

Tools

IntelliJ IDEA, Bitbucket, Confluence, Jira, Apache Tomcat, GitHub, Trello, Git, Apache Ant, Servlet, Oracle Forms, Jenkins, Atlassian, TanStack Router

Languages

TypeScript, SQL, JavaScript, HTML5, Java, HTML, CSS, PHP, Groovy, XML, Python, GraphQL, Perl, Ruby, Kotlin, Python 3, C, C++, Scheme

Frameworks

Grails, Spock, Jest, Protractor, Bootstrap, Angular, AngularJS, Apache Struts, Ext JS, Spring, Apache Struts 2, Ant Design, Jakarta Server Pages (JSP), Ruby on Rails (RoR), JUnit, Jasmine, Next.js

Paradigms

MEAN Stack, Scrum, REST, Agile Software Development, Microservices, Test-driven Development (TDD), Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Continuous Integration (CI), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Kanban

Platforms

Oracle, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Linux, MacOS, Windows, Mobile, DigitalOcean, WordPress, AWS Lambda, Docker, Jakarta EE, OS X, NetBeans

Storage

Databases, MongoDB, Oracle PL/SQL, NoSQL, JSON, MySQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Amazon DynamoDB, PostgreSQL, PostGIS

Other

APIs, Prototyping, Front-end Development, Full-stack, Web Development, Full-stack Development, Front-end, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Data Modeling, Security, Ajax, Single-page Applications (SPA), Architecture, SOAP, HTTP, Streaming, Mobile Web, Vite, Networks

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