Open To Work
Chris Decker
Hawthorn Woods,IL
Summary
Software Architect with extensive experience in system architecture, development, and integration. Demonstrated ability in creative problem-solving and team mentorship, leading to successful project outcomes and improved business processes.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Software Engineer
Aceable, Inc.
Austin, Texas
06.2024 - 07.2025
- Authored technical documentation to facilitate knowledge transfer on new business functionalities post-REI acquisition.
- Collaborated in design planning for essential functionality related to new business lines from REI.
- Developed scripts for seamless data transfer between REI's third-party platforms and Aceable.
- Created scripts to convert data from REI's transactional database into JSON for Aceable's MongoDB integration.
- Served as a resource for Product team in designing product delivery processes for new business lines.
Principal Systems Architect
Real Estate Institute
Niles, IL
05.2003 - 06.2024
- Designed and built service and application frameworks, enabling development teams to create components efficiently.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to establish clear system requirements and specifications.
- Conducted code reviews and architectural evaluations ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of latest development trends, tools, and methodologies.
- Identified project scope based on objectives and specifications for effective planning.
- Mentored junior staff on project execution strategies, architectural principles, design patterns, and coding practices.
- Evaluated emerging technologies for integration into real estate processes.
- Oversaw migration of legacy systems while minimizing data loss.
- Optimized business scalability by designing and implementing an Enterprise Service Bus using a RabbitMQ messaging cluster to decouple integrations between internal components and third-party platforms.
- Acted as a member of the management/steering team that collaborated on long-term business planning.
Software Engineer/Analyst
Self-employed
Chicago, IL
05.2002 - 04.2003
- Collaborated with clients to gather and document project requirements.
- Analyzed existing business processes and developed new strategies to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Developed software solutions to meet client specifications and requirements.
- Documented system design specifications, programming instructions, testing results, and other related materials for reference purposes.
- Provided technical support and troubleshooting for software applications.
Software Engineer/Analyst
Power Analysis, Inc.
Oak Park, IL
04.2001 - 05.2002
- Collaborated with clients to gather and document project requirements effectively.
- Developed software solutions aligned with client specifications and needs.
- Worked alongside cross-functional teams, including designers, developers, QA engineers, and product managers.
- Documented system design specifications, programming instructions, and testing results for future reference.
- Designed databases using SQL Server Management Studio and executed complex data manipulation queries.
- Provided technical support through troubleshooting, maintenance activities, and user issue resolution.
- Participated in code reviews to ensure adherence to best practices during development.
- Served large clients such as BP and United Airlines, ensuring project success.
Software Engineer/Analyst
Health Alliance Medical Plans
Urbana, IL
06.1997 - 04.2001
- Collaborated with clients to document project requirements effectively.
- Designed user interfaces to improve accessibility and enhance user experience.
- Developed software solutions aligned with client specifications.
- Provided technical support for software applications, ensuring swift troubleshooting.
- Analyzed business processes and created strategies to boost efficiency and productivity.
- Built financial reporting systems that saved hundreds of man-hours monthly for Finance department.
Education
Computer Science
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL07-1996
High School Diploma - General Studies
Batavia High School
Batavia06-1994
Skills
- Languages: C#, SQL, Transact-SQL, JavaScript, Visual Basic (all forms), C, more
- Primary tools: MS Visual Studio, ReSharper suite, MSBuild, Node, SQL Server Management Studio, and Red Gate database tools, more
- Application, service development, and debugging
- System architecture
- Object-oriented design
- API design and integration
- Application integration
- Data architecture, transformation, modeling, and management
- Database design and programming
- Scalability and reliability strategies
- Secure workflows
- Web and desktop applications
- Windows services
- Business process analysis
- Agile methodologies
- Team mentorship
- Creative problem-solving and critical thinking
- Excellent oral and written communication
References
References available upon request.
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridTimeline
Senior Software Engineer
Aceable, Inc.
06.2024 - 07.2025
Principal Systems Architect
Real Estate Institute
05.2003 - 06.2024
Software Engineer/Analyst
Self-employed
05.2002 - 04.2003
Software Engineer/Analyst
Power Analysis, Inc.
04.2001 - 05.2002
Software Engineer/Analyst
Health Alliance Medical Plans
06.1997 - 04.2001
Computer Science
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
High School Diploma - General Studies
Batavia High School