C
Kara Runnels
Boulder,CO
Summary
Experienced software engineer and release manager with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and internal business goals. Proven ability to quickly iterate and improve products to address consumer concerns and desires. Committed to mitigating liabilities and enhancing development leadership. Demonstrates expertise in managing deployment timeframes within budgetary constraints, consistently meeting end-user expectations for smooth and successful software releases.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Software Release Manager
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
01.2023 - Current
- Define content and schedule for all Software Releases
- Bridge of communication between Software and Test teams for new content addition
- Communicate with customer new Software additions along with their benefits and risks for approvals
- Responded to emergent issues in production releases to quickly iterate and remediate weaknesses in subsequent releases.
- Interacted with quality management personnel to address customer issues with software defects, designing optimal resolution plans to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Adhered to internal release development guidelines and processes to mitigate liabilities and align with business goals.
- Set release management lifecycles according to internal business goals and ongoing development realities.
- Recruited subject matter experts to tackle advanced release deficits and unforeseen development obstacles hindering scheduled iterations.
- Collaborated with software development project departments to align engineering efforts towards prescribed release schedule deadlines.
- Created presentations and infographic for platform release enhancement communications.
- Planned and orchestrated end-to-end processes
- Built automated test scripts to handle repetitive software testing work.
- Create SCF’s to capture new Software baseline changes through government filing system ISIS
- Present to Program Management at IPT the status of software fixes and closure dates
- Collect and brief software, network, hardware, systems, integration and verification engineering status for each baseline to program management and on occasion our customer
- Ensure agile development meets dev cut off dates for Test team need dates
- Lead grooming meetings for each software team of developers to prioritize their coding implementation
- Lead dev-cut off meetings to hold each Software Item accountable for completing items in their sprint
- Communicate new DR's to each SI and ensure they have enough detail to fix each software defect from I&V
- Update Software processes for new efficient process documentation and taking updates through necessary boards
- Ensuring DR's from over 18 months are being tracked and closed out in a sufficient timeframe
- Running new COTS products through IronFoss to ensure cyber vulnerabilities are mitigated
- Create schedule requests and Software patch request forms and taking them through a government board and JEDI for a timeframe on when a patch can be implemented into current operations
- Conduct a lessons learned for each program area (network,hardware,software,system admin,systems engineering) to determine what was successful vs problematic when a baseline is operationally accepted.
GC Software Engineer
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
09.2021 - Current
- Worked on the SPLIT database team to organize rack assembly by creating complex software updates
- Worked with our Chief Architect to extensively update the Development Integration Test Software process document
- Designed and coded UI interfaces/ architectures along with reviewing peers’ code
- Developed code for scripts to allow our team to gain access from Sybase SQL to our new database PostGreSQL
- Worked with a cross-functional team of hardware engineers, application/UI software engineers, QA/validation, and designers and followed my project (CONUS) to completion
- Worked on various embedded application driven projects within the QT IDE daily developing my skills in Linux C++, and GIT
- Utilizing my R&D background to find better solutions to relevant software problems our team encounters such as enhancing makefiles
- Developed code to enhance Makefiles for GC to build 12x faster
- Hold myself accountable along with others to ensure the application of information security and information assurance policies, principles, and best practices are present in our software
- Keeping clear communication with my team members and others to ensure project succession
- Ensuring documents are made with quality in order for our company to have continuous improvement
- Updated Confluence to add to our teams’ development and found an efficient way for my team to cross examine documents collaboratively.
- Coordinated with other engineers to evaluate and improve software and hardware interfaces.
- Collaborated with management, internal and development partners regarding software application design status and project progress.
- Collaborated with fellow engineers to evaluate software and hardware interfaces.
- Tested methodology with writing and execution of test plans, debugging and testing scripts and tools.
- Delivered unit-tested systems within customer-prescribed timeframes.
- Authored code fixes and enhancements for inclusion in future code releases and patches.
- Corrected, modified and upgraded software to improve performance.
- Coordinated deployments of new software, feature updates and fixes.
- Tested functional security compliance of company products.
- Analyzed proposed technical solutions based on customer requirements.
Consumer Affairs Specialist (Medtronic)
Engineering Professionals Staffing
06.2019 - 09.2019
- Focused on Medical Device Complaints working as part of a team processing new complaints, file updates and regulatory reports
- Responsible for ensuring that complaint file quality is maintained with overall uniformity and no missing information
- Certified in SAP based, Medtronic Global Complaint Handling (GCH) software.
- Identified and resolved consumer issues with thorough research and follow-through.
- Created and maintained reports and databases to track and evaluate follow-through on consumer affairs issues.
- Investigated and resolved customer inquiries and complaints quickly.
R&D Project Assistant (Celestial Seasonings)
Kelly Services
03.2019 - 06.2019
- Collect and analyze data
- Contact suppliers for documentation on new materials
- Prepare progress reports
- Verify and enter data for new materials into a computer database and spreadsheet application for subsequent analysis
- Set up, calibrate and maintain laboratory research equipment, as specified
- Test new products and/or project updates to products and verify if compilable.
- Handled administrative duties, filing, and errands.
- Completed multiple tasks simultaneously to optimize project completion.
- Provided assistance with preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts and presentations
Senior Process Associate (Google)
Infosys BPM
08.2018 - 09.2018
- Conducted a process of recruitment for UX researchers to find participants that fit their study
- Sourced, screened and collaborated with UX researchers to identify key participant requirements
- Curated participants to ensure a high quality sample pool for the researchers
- Managed calendars, timelines, scheduling details, and logistics for multiple UX studies
- Tracked and analyzed participant activity and document in our database
- Networked with potential participants to generate new leads.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
Research Lab Technician (Toyo Ink)
Ascent
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Conducted research projects including pressure sensitive adhesives
- Helped in identifying solutions for customer and industry satisfaction
- Labeled and organized samples and all materials used
- Executed formulations and polymerization of pressure sensitive adhesives
- Initiated improvement in the lab to make a safer working environment for employees.
Scientist (Baxter Healthcare)
Aerotek
07.2017 - 01.2018
- Conducted critical analyses on the trending reports to determine if a new trigger needs to be evaluated or if an existing trigger exists for the same data set
- Executed organization of medical device triggers using Vlookup and pivot tables in Excel
- Worked with my team to execute CAPA investigations and support change control
- Ensured complaint process was handled efficiently
- Helped support with complaint investigations
- Initiated all new Evaluations in the Trackwise 8 system and push to the responsible product quality or manufacturing representative
- Observed process of design and manufacture of products to interpret when a trigger would be initiated
- Responsible for implementing a more efficient way of communication between my team and quality engineers.
- Performed complex troubleshooting and assisted in leading initiatives to solve challenging scientific problems with assays or instrumentation.
- Simultaneously managed several complex projects, meeting all pertinent milestones.
- Developed new software applications and customized existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Trained new employees on areas of technical expertise and compliance issues relevant to lab setting.
Research Specialist
Careerbuilder
05.2017 - 07.2017
- Conducted background checks on individuals
- Preformed C gap analyst for reliability
- Created new processes for efficiency.
Sales Associate at Gap
Gap Inc
07.2016 - 11.2016
- Provide outstanding customer service and perform general Cashier duties
- Ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent sales service
- Assessing customers’ needs and providing assistance and information on product features.
Research Intern
University of North Texas Health Science Center
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Conducted a research project that focused on the expression of CD44 and its ability to reduce proliferation of Jurkatt cells
- Conducted research in a clinical research team regarding hpv in certain cultural groups
- Collaborated with program mentor to reach defined goals each week
- Presented findings to a panel of mentors and peers on a weekly basis.
Research Intern
Case Western Reserve University
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Public Health Research, studying the effects of hypertension in the pediatric population
- Led a team of 6 interns and set clear goals for each team member
- Made weekly presentations to mentors and peers on research findings.
Education
Master's Degree - Computer Science
Colorado Technical University
Denver, Colorado03.2021
Bachelor's Degree - Biology
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, Texas05.2017
Skills
- Version control systems
- Requirements Analysis
- Stakeholder Communication
- Release planning
- Software Documentation
- Software Development Lifecycle
- Continuous integration
- Customer Support
- Leading teams
- Agile Methodology
- Working with vendors
- Managing releases
Community Service
- Volunteered at Habitat for Humanity
- Volunteered at Homeless Shelter
Activities
- Soccer
- Habitat for Humanity
- Collegiate 100
- Pre-Optometry Association
- Honors Society
Certification
- Certified in C++ for Embedded Systems- 10/17/2024
- Certified Scrum Master- 10/24/2024
Software
Postgres SQL
GIT
Agile
Scrum
Embedded Systems
Microsoft Suite
Sybase SQL
Java
Python
Timeline
Software Release Manager
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
01.2023 - Current
GC Software Engineer
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
09.2021 - Current
Consumer Affairs Specialist (Medtronic)
Engineering Professionals Staffing
06.2019 - 09.2019
R&D Project Assistant (Celestial Seasonings)
Kelly Services
03.2019 - 06.2019
Senior Process Associate (Google)
Infosys BPM
08.2018 - 09.2018
Research Lab Technician (Toyo Ink)
Ascent
01.2018 - 06.2018
Scientist (Baxter Healthcare)
Aerotek
07.2017 - 01.2018
Research Specialist
Careerbuilder
05.2017 - 07.2017
Sales Associate at Gap
Gap Inc
07.2016 - 11.2016
Research Intern
University of North Texas Health Science Center
08.2015 - 05.2016
Research Intern
Case Western Reserve University
08.2014 - 05.2015
Master's Degree - Computer Science
Colorado Technical University
Bachelor's Degree - Biology
Prairie View A&M University
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