Julie Gierald
Enterprise Architect
Riverside,IL
Summary
Enterprise Architect with over a decade of experience in software engineering and architecture. Successfully led modernization projects, including migrating API/Service Orchestration Platforms from Windows to RHEL8 Docker containers and AWS, creating significant cost savings. Directed efforts to minimize risks and costs through strategic API replacements, cutting costs by $700k monthly, and implementing solutions to reduce fraudulent payments in the Zelle network. Eager to leverage robust technical leadership, project management, and cloud infrastructure expertise in a new Enterprise Architect role to drive architectural innovations and transformative solutions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Sr Solution Architect
EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
Chicago, IL
10.2023 - 04.2024
- Rearchitected the AWS infrastructure for the API Platform and Service Orchestration Platform (MESH) (c++, SQL Server, Docker
- Terraform, Ansible), handling 30+ million customer transactions per day, to meet new architecture standards for a new AWS Data Center (Multi-Account, Multi-VCP - GLB, NLB, ALB, ASG, Security Groups, EC2, Kinesis, Firehose, S3, DynamoDB, F5), improving scalability and reliability
- Provided guidance on migrating from the legacy AWS Data Center to the newly designed AWS Data Center, ensuring dedicated instances of the MESH per product line
- Planned the customer cutover process to minimize impact, resulting in a seamless transition
- Collaborated with Product Managers and Software Engineering Directors on ideation of new features, facilitated requirements gathering, defined non-functional requirements, and provided architectural guidance on all MESH efforts
- Reviewed architecture decisions and design choices engineering teams presented for correctness and adherence to enterprise standards and product requirements (Architecture Review Board, SDLC)
- Led the Annual Operating Planning process for the MESH Platform (c++, SQL Server) and Decision Intelligence products (Java, Spring
- Boot, Docker), planned, estimated and road mapped all features to be executed in 2024
- Built and managed the technical roadmap for the
- MESH Platform, including technical debt and strategic initiatives
- Guided and oversaw API Gateway (Kong, Tyk) and IdP (Ping, home grown) selection and POCs, modernizing the API Platform for greater security and ease of use
- This included vendor evaluation, product evaluation and gap analysis against the MESH Platform
- Oversaw API Governance by maintaining API inventory in LeanIX, developing and updating metrics, and providing input on new API and
- API Security Standards, ensuring robust and secure API management
- Collaborated with Application Architects and Engineering Leads to ensure implementation of new infrastructure deployments, new applications, and changes to MESH Platform were in adherence with Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Security Architecture’s standards and recommendations
- Maintained project timelines and integrity by identifying risks, scope and requirement changes, and implementation timeline slippage by escalating issues with PMO and Engineering Managers
- Completed Gap Analysis for MESH and new API Security Standards to ensure MESH and APIs it exposed were in compliance
Staff Software Engineer/Team Lead
EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
Zelle, Chicago, IL
02.2021 - 10.2023
- Architected the API/Service Orchestration Platform (MESH) as a centralized API Gateway, enabling service orchestration for Zelle, Paze, and Decision Intelligence products
- Spearheaded the migration of the MESH Platform from Windows based infrastructure to RHEL8 Docker containers
- This removed
- Windows licensing costs from approximately 100 servers, reducing overhead significantly (c++, Docker, Terraform, Chef, AWS, OAuth0)
- Replaced vendored APIs in the Zelle mobile app with cost-effective APIs (c++, XML, JSON, OAuth 2.0), reducing vendor costs by $700k per month
- Defined project scope and requirements with the Product Owner, created user stories with the API Platform team, and produced architecture artifacts
- Led a team to implement a new API (c++, XML, JSON, OAuth 2.0) for the Zelle mobile app to perform risk scoring on users receiving payments
- Defined requirements and project scope with Fraud Risk Management and Zelle Product Owners, created user stories with
- MESH and Zelle backend teams
- This API reduced fraudulent payments on the Zelle Network
- Collaborated with Product Managers and engineering teams to define product requirements and project scope
- Broke down requirements into user stories and tasks, ensuring clear and actionable development plans
- Collaborated with Security Architects to design solutions that adhere to enterprise security standards, enhancing overall system security and compliance
- Designed and developed solutions using AWS Kinesis Data Streams, Kinesis Firehose, S3 and Java Spring Boot to maintain the integrity and resiliency of data moving between EW systems, ensuring reliable data transfer and system stability
Sr Software Engineer
EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
Zelle, Chicago, IL
09.2016 - 02.2021
- Led the migration of on-premise Windows-based infrastructure for MESH to AWS, improving scalability and reducing operational costs
- Led team to design, plan, and implement new features, enhancing platform functionality and user experience (c++, SQL Server, XML
- JSON, OAuth 2.0)
- Ported the MESH Platform from Windows to Linux, increasing system performance, reliability and maintainability (c++, Docker)
- Evaluated, provided guidance, and integrated (POC) new technologies and third-party offerings with Zelle, enhancing system capabilities and fostering innovation
- Administered Kubernetes cluster and Innovations lab environment, maintaining system stability and supporting development initiatives, reducing downtime and increasing productivity
- Demonstrated Early Warning Products running on Kubernetes in the Innovations Lab, leading to the adoption of Kubernetes for container orchestration
- Evaluated and guided the adoption of new technologies such as NoSQL databases, Blockchain platforms, and natural language processors, leading to improved system performance and innovation
Software Engineer
EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
Zelle, Chicago, IL
07.2014 - 09.2016
- Led team to create a .net Core PoC of Amazon Alexa integration with Early Warning products using AWS, successfully demonstrating voice-activated financial services
- Designed, developed, and maintained REST services/APIs to support the billing system and customer-facing portal, improving system efficiency and customer satisfaction (c#, .net, SQL Server, Salesforce, Zuora)
- Designed, developed, and maintained applications that consume billing REST services to perform billing and customer portal operations, enhancing the accuracy and speed of billing processes (c#, .net)
- Maintained accurate and on-time delivery of billing data for invoicing and data to customers via Salesforce, ensuring timely and precise billing operations
- Developed and maintained support tools and libraries for internal customers and inter-team use, including a search tool for near real-time, free-text search of transactions and an onboarding tool, improving internal efficiency and customer onboarding processes (c#, .net
- ElasticSearch, SQL Server)
Software Developer
Always In Touch
Milwaukee, WI
06.2013 - 06.2014
- Led the development of backend services and tools, resulting in improved data processing and device interaction
- Developed a service to receive and transform SMS data, a serial-based debugging protocol, and a web tool for employee SMS simulation
- Led a team of two interns to build a customer-facing website, enhancing user experience and reducing technical debt
- Set weekly goals to implement new features and deploy new releases
Software Engineer
Atlas Material Testing, AMETEK
Chicago, IL
01.2012 - 06.2013
- Led the development of the Ci Weather-ometers product line by gathering requirements with Product Management, managing a consultant for companion software, and launching the Ci system and companion software on schedule, achieving a successful product release
- Streamlined engineering processes by customizing JIRA for the Engineering Change Request system, migrating existing Excel systems into JIRA, and training Engineering staff and stakeholders
- Developed a time reporting database and UI for the engineering department, providing management with better insight into capacity and improving process efficiency
Software Test Technician
Atlas Material Testing, AMETEK
Chicago, IL
05.2011 - 01.2012
- Migrated an ARM9 based system to an Intel Atom x32, Windows XP Embedded based control system, improving system performance and compatibility
- Built the S3T: Specimen Specific Surface Temperature Add-on System, integrating an RFID system and pyrometer to monitor surface temperature of samples on a rotating rack in the Ci series of instruments, enhancing temperature monitoring accuracy
- Gathered and documented system level and software subsystem requirements for the S3T product, ensuring comprehensive and clear project guidelines
- Developed and executed software Verification and Validation plans, ensuring software reliability and compliance with project specifications
Engineering Intern
Atlas Material Testing, AMETEK
Chicago, IL
09.2010 - 05.2011
- Redesigned and developed the Laboratory Information Management System for the Calibration Labs, improving data accuracy and workflow efficiency
- Created and maintained validation plans for existing projects and a Requirements Management Plan for new projects, ensuring compliance and streamlined project initiation
Education
Bachelor of Science - Statistics And Operations Research
08.2005 - 12.2009
Skills
Technical and Team Leadership, Discovery and Design, Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, GCP), Lucidchart, LeanIX, SDLC, Agile, Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution, Roadmap Development, Strategic Roadmapping, Project Planning, Technical Debt Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Legacy System Modernization, Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), Development (C, net, Java, Python), Harness, Gitlab
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteOn-SiteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureCareer advancement401k matchPaid time offPaid sick leaveAccomplishments
Completed Early Warning Services' Emerging Leaders, Leadership Development Program
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Sr Solution Architect - EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
10.2023 - 04.2024
Staff Software Engineer/Team Lead - EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
02.2021 - 10.2023
Sr Software Engineer - EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
09.2016 - 02.2021
Software Engineer - EARLY WARNING SERVICES (Zelle, Paze)
07.2014 - 09.2016
Software Developer - Always In Touch
06.2013 - 06.2014
Software Engineer - Atlas Material Testing, AMETEK
01.2012 - 06.2013
Software Test Technician - Atlas Material Testing, AMETEK
05.2011 - 01.2012
Engineering Intern - Atlas Material Testing, AMETEK
09.2010 - 05.2011
University of Illinois - Chicago - Bachelor of Science, Statistics And Operations Research
08.2005 - 12.2009
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