James Barfield
Suwanee,GA
Summary
Full-stack software engineer with 20+ years of experience designing, building, and scaling production systems across cloud, containerized, and distributed environments. Strong background in Go, Kubernetes, and AWS, with a proven record of reducing infrastructure costs, modernizing platforms, and delivering reliable developer tooling. Passionate about clean architecture, observability, and pragmatic problem-solving.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Demo Architect
Zscaler
San Jose, CA
09.2022 - Current
- Developed new Angular/Golang labs platform for managing dynamically-created AWS resources.
- Created Golang application to optimize resource management, saving nearly $500K in first year.
- Updated labs to enhance onboarding process for new Sales Engineers.
Staff Software Development Engineer
Apptio
Bellevue, WA
03.2021 - 09.2022
- Redesigned authentication platform utilizing Kubernetes controllers, sidecars, webhooks, and the JWT framework.
- Facilitated migration to a consolidated CI/CD platform by creating integration scripts for GitHub Actions and Kubernetes-based resources for Argo CD deployment into AWS.
Technical Enablement Programs Manager, Sales Enablement
AppDynamics
San Francisco, CA
06.2018 - 03.2021
- Contributed five years in various technical roles, enhancing visibility and influence within company.
- Created labs platform from scratch to manage VMs and lab images, saving $400K annually.
- Developed onboarding labs with training focused on Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka, and other technologies.
- Led new hire bootcamp for Sales Engineers and Consultants since early 2019.
- Designed and developed flagship demo applications showcased at high-profile events.
- Modernized demo applications for improved portability and integration with CI/CD pipelines.
- Developed packaged solution for dynamic agent deployment in Docker-based environments.
- Involved in all aspects of enabling technical field through onboarding and new feature training.
Owner / Developer
Sprocware, LLC
Lenexa, KS
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Started company to create and deploy iPhone / iPad apps.
iOS Engineer IV
NCR
Alpharetta, USA
01.2014 - 11.2015
- IOS Architect and Lead iOS developer for mobile retail application.
- Served as iOS Architect and Lead Developer for a retail iPhone / iPad app, supporting ticket-entry, credit card reading, customer tracking, and inventory functionality.
- Completed several proofs-of-concept for next generation of mobile offerings, including HTML5, JavaScript-Objective C integration, and a Web API backend.
- Engineered Web API backend to enhance application functionality and performance.
Principal Software Architect
Crawford & Company
Atlanta, GA
06.2012 - 12.2013
- Led architectural design and development for concurrent projects, ensuring seamless execution across teams.
- Architected and managed credit card claims processing system, integrating public website with backend application in PCI-Compliant environment.
- Created two-way communication integration between disparate claims systems to enhance data synchronization.
- Transitioned outdated BlackBerry app to modern iOS and HTML5 platforms, improving user experience.
Development Manager / Lead Software Engineer
ClaimHub, Inc
Overland Park, KS
11.2003 - 06.2012
- Provided technical leadership as Development Team Manager and Lead Developer from January 2006 until departure.
- Mentored developers while managing a lean team focused on web and mobile application enhancements.
- Developed KPI Dashboard utilizing HTML5 for improved data visualization.
- Created real-time reporting infrastructures for management information systems and auditing purposes.
- Designed and deployed applications for iPhone and iPad, expanding mobile reach.
- Developed Smart-Client application using ClickOnce deployment to enhance user experience.
- Administered SQL Server databases, focusing on T-SQL development and performance tuning.
Education
Master of Science - Computer Science
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS01.2000
Skills
- Golang
- Angular
- JavaScript
- TypeScript
- Nodejs
- C programming
- Objective-C
- Swift
- Python
- Kubernetes
- Java
- C
- NET framework
- MongoDB
- MySQL database
- AWS cloud services
- Linux operating system
- Bash scripting
Certification
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer, 04/22
Timeline
Demo Architect
Zscaler
09.2022 - Current
Staff Software Development Engineer
Apptio
03.2021 - 09.2022
Technical Enablement Programs Manager, Sales Enablement
AppDynamics
06.2018 - 03.2021
iOS Engineer IV
NCR
01.2014 - 11.2015
Principal Software Architect
Crawford & Company
06.2012 - 12.2013
Owner / Developer
Sprocware, LLC
01.2009 - 01.2016
Development Manager / Lead Software Engineer
ClaimHub, Inc
11.2003 - 06.2012
Master of Science - Computer Science
University of Kansas