Alexander Forward
Detroit,MI
Skills
AWS Services Proficiency w/ Solutions Architecture
SQL
GitLab CI/CD and pipeline
Python
JavaScript React
Cloud Engineering
TypeScript
DevOps Implementation
Nodejs
AI/ML
Nestjs
DevOps Implementation
Terraform
Docker and Containerized Build Workflows
Summary
Recognized for placing in the top three of a company-wide hackathon by developing an AI-driven solution projected to save $60 million in one department.
Results-driven Senior Software Engineer and AWS Solutions Architect with expertise in cloud-native application development, serverless architecture, DevOps, and AI-enabled platforms.
Experienced in designing secure, scalable, multi-account and multi-region AWS environments using Python, Terraform, GitLab CI/CD, Lambda, API Gateway, Step Functions, EventBridge, SQS, DynamoDB, and Amazon Bedrock.
Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives, modernize infrastructure, improve deployment reliability, and solve production challenges across distributed systems.
Strong background in full-stack development with JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, NestJS, Python, and SQL, with additional experience building retrieval-augmented generation, document-processing, and enterprise search solutions.
Combines hands-on engineering, solutions architecture, and cross-functional leadership to deliver secure, resilient, and high-impact technology solutions.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Senior Software Engineer
Apex Systems
Detroit, Michigan
03.2026 - Current
- Built and maintained a secure, multi-account and multi-region AWS foundation for a retrieval-oriented knowledge platform, implementing repeatable infrastructure and
cross-account access patterns using Terraform, AWS IAM, AWS STS, AWS KMS, Systems Manager Parameter Store, Secrets Manager, Amazon VPC, and GitLab CI/CD. - Implemented ingestion and processing orchestration with callback-style workflows, concurrency controls, retries, and event-driven integrations using AWS Step Functions,
EventBridge, Amazon SQS, AWS Lambda, Amazon S3, Python, and Boto3.
- Developed serverless PDF and document-processing pipelines for compression, transformation, validation, metadata extraction, and standardized JSON generation using Python, AWS Lambda, Amazon S3, AWS Step Functions, JSON, and Docker.
- Integrated and tuned enterprise search and knowledge components for AI retrieval use cases, including index configuration, custom metadata attributes, ingestion
compatibility, and operational troubleshooting using Amazon Kendra, Amazon Bedrock, Amazon S3, AWS Lambda, Python, and retrieval-augmented generation techniques. - Implemented resilient DynamoDB data patterns, including blue/green table deployments, configuration-driven cutovers, bulk-ingestion workflows, and stream-based
processing using Amazon DynamoDB, DynamoDB Streams, AWS Lambda, EventBridge, Amazon SQS, Systems Manager Parameter Store, Python, and Terraform. - Designed backup, restore, and cross-environment data-movement workflows using S3-backed artifacts, messaging triggers, and cross-account roles to support repeatable disaster recovery and environment refreshes with Amazon S3, AWS Backup, AWS Lambda, Amazon SQS, EventBridge, AWS IAM, AWS KMS, Python, and Terraform.
- Improved developer velocity and deployment safety by refining automated build, test, validation, packaging, and deployment workflows using GitLab CI/CD, Docker,
Terraform, AWS CLI, Python, Pytest, pip/uv dependency management, YAML, and environment-based configuration. - Led debugging and production-hardening efforts across distributed Python services and AWS integrations, resolving timeout, queue-semantics, IAM, parameter-validation, dependency-packaging, networking, and import issues using Python, Boto3, AWS CloudWatch, AWS X-Ray, structured logging, Pytest, Docker, AWS Lambda, Amazon SQS, and Systems Manager Parameter Store.
Software Engineer
Ally Financial Inc.
Detroit, MI
08.2023 - 04.2025
- I achieved a top-three placement in a company-wide hackathon within my first year as a full-time employee by developing an AI-driven solution projected to save $60 million in a critical department.
- I became the point of contact for the entire UI of the machine learning platform deployment application within the first six months.
- Contributed several key features to the platform with experience in DevOps, full stack development, and cloud infrastructure, such as AWS, Azure, and Snowflake.
- Developed and engineered a feature that allows users to utilize an external function for Snowflake with AWS infrastructure.
Automation Test Engineer
Accenture Federal
San Antonio, TX
05.2019 - 06.2021
- Ensure product quality by thoroughly inspecting materials, procedures, and mechanical/electrical systems to meet industry standards.
- Analyze malfunctions, identify root causes, and propose solutions for improvements.
- Document technical issues, and develop automated testing systems for regular quality checks.
- Design and implement test strategies, including functional, regression, performance, and usability testing.
- Develop and execute test plans, track key metrics (code coverage, quality, performance), and ensure timely delivery of releases.
- Lead testing efforts, construct test scripts, manage test processes, and provide guidance to the team.
Validation and Verification Engineering Intern
Acelity
San Antonio, TX
06.2015 - 08.2015
- Assisted in engineering tasks by validating test methods through equipment qualification.
- Assembled and tested mechanical, electronic, electromechanical, pneumatic test setups.
- Helped to develop and qualify new test protocols, ensuring that test objectives are effectively incorporated.
- Design and coordinate the fabrication of unique test fixtures required for protocol execution.
- Assisted management with process software validation and/or process improvement projects.
- Compiled test reports summarizing Gage R&Rs, Equipment Qualifications, and Design Verification data.
Timeline
Senior Software Engineer
Apex Systems
03.2026 - Current
Software Engineer
Ally Financial Inc.
08.2023 - 04.2025
Automation Test Engineer
Accenture Federal
05.2019 - 06.2021
Validation and Verification Engineering Intern
Acelity
06.2015 - 08.2015
Bachelors - Engineering Management (Electrical track)
University of the Incarnate Word
Some College (No Degree) - Apprenticeship | Software Engineering
Stiegler EdTech
Education
Bachelors - Engineering Management (Electrical track)
University of the Incarnate Word
Some College (No Degree) - Apprenticeship | Software Engineering
Stiegler EdTech
Charlotte, NCVolunteering
- Volunteers on a regular basis to food banks within my community
- Feeding America, Volunteer, The organization the fraternity used as philanthropy to donate money and food to the Food bank.
- San Antonio Food Bank, Volunteer, Donated 100,000 pounds worth of food a year within my lifetime.
Certification
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Professional Scrum MAster I
Accomplishments
- Ally Financial 2024 Hackathon 3rd Place Winner
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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