Dustin Cook
Casper,WY
Summary
Experienced software engineer specializing in backend and full-stack development, with a strong track record building and maintaining complex systems in Java, C++, Python, and Go. Proficient in modern web development using React/TypeScript and Vue, with hands-on experience across CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, and production operations. Seeking to apply deep backend expertise alongside practical machine learning experience in a high-impact Software Developer role.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Software Engineer
AEROSTAR
01.2020 - Current
- Designed, implemented, and maintained end-to-end software systems spanning frontend, backend, and embedded-adjacent services across Java, C++, Python, Go, and TypeScript.
- Built and operated large Java server applications (Apache Tomcat) integrating legacy XML-RPC systems alongside modern service architectures.
- Developed multiple backend microservices in C++, Python, and Go, including gRPC-based services and hardware-facing components streaming real-time telemetry and status data.
- Led full-stack Web-UI development across multiple generations of technology, including React/TypeScript, Vue, Electron, jQuery, and legacy libraries.
- Implemented live configuration and control interfaces enabling significant system changes without service interruption or downtime.
- Developed autonomy and control software for drone systems, integrating real-time data pipelines, backend services, and operator interfaces.
- Built and maintained an Electron desktop application used for system monitoring, control, and configuration.
- Owned CI/CD pipelines end-to-end using GitLab and Docker, independently handling build, test, and deployment workflows without dedicated DevOps support.
- Provided Linux systems expertise across development and deployment environments, including strong systemd service design, administration, and debugging.
- Applied infrastructure automation and configuration management practices using Ansible to support reproducible and maintainable systems.
- Worked extensively in complex, mixed-age codebases, modernizing systems while maintaining and integrating with legacy components.
- Actively mentored and onboarded new engineers, accelerating team productivity through technical guidance and architectural knowledge transfer.
Web Assistant
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
06.2019 - 02.2020
- Participated in Agile development processes, including daily standups, sprint planning, and iterative delivery of production systems.
- Maintained and updated the school website to ensure accuracy, availability, and consistent presentation of content.
- Assisted faculty with website-related requests, including creating, updating, and managing class and department pages.
- Implemented search engine optimization (SEO) best practices to improve site visibility and indexing by Google.
- Completed Google training focused on website optimization and applied learned techniques to improve search performance.
- Provided ongoing technical support to teachers and staff for content changes, formatting, and site functionality.
Education
MS - Computer Science and Data Science
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Champaign, IL01.2025
BA - Computer Science
SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES & TECHNOLOGY
Rapid City, SD01.2020
AS - Computer Science
CASPER COLLEGE
Casper, WY01.2017
Skills
- Backend & Distributed Systems
- Full-Stack Web Engineering
- High-Performance Systems (C / Go)
- Data, Streaming & Telemetry
- DevOps & Production Infrastructure
- Architecture, Reliability & Modernization
Timeline
Software Engineer
AEROSTAR
01.2020 - Current
Web Assistant
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
06.2019 - 02.2020
BA - Computer Science
SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES & TECHNOLOGY
AS - Computer Science
CASPER COLLEGE
MS - Computer Science and Data Science
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN