KYLE CROSS
Engineering Manager And Senior Software Developer
St Louis,Mo
Summary
Experienced IT Practice Manager and Software Engineer with a passion for driving innovation and excellence in application development. With over 16 years of hands-on experience, I specialize in leading projects from inception to execution, utilizing a variety of agile methodologies and frameworks. My expertise lies in object-oriented agile software development, with a deep understanding of core XP agile practices such as test-driven development and pair programming. I thrive on tackling challenges and implementing cutting-edge solutions, constantly seeking to leverage emerging technologies to expand the realm of what's achievable. Additionally, I bring 18 years of military service, having served in the Marine Corps and the Missouri National Guard, which instilled a strong sense of leadership and advocacy. I am dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for employees and facilitating their career growth and development.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Lead Software Developer
BP3 Global, Inc.
01.2023 - 04.2024
- Spearheaded development of Test Automation Service offerings utilizing Agile methodologies, enhancing efficiency and reliability in software testing processes
- Served as 'Player Coach,' actively reinforcing core Agile processes within client organizations' software development teams to drive continuous improvement
- Provided mentorship to client organizations, advocating for adoption of Test-Driven Development and Shift Left testing culture, alongside other Agile practices, to optimize software quality and delivery
- Led recruitment efforts and conducted technical screenings for candidates applying for Software Development and Quality Advocate/SDET roles, ensuring acquisition of top talent aligned with organizational objectives
- Championed software quality across all stages of application development lifecycle, emphasizing importance of rigorous testing and adherence to best practices.
- Developed scalable applications, enabling businesses to grow rapidly without experiencing technical issues.
- Investigated new and emerging software applications to select and implement administrative information systems.
Lead Technical Mentor
World Wide Technology
- Led over 10 client engagements, instructing Agile Methodologies, and fostering development best practices
- Cultivated strong rapport with team members and client management, prioritizing face-to-face interaction whenever feasible
- Mentored teams in implementing Test-Driven Development (TDD), pair programming, and other Extreme Programming methodologies
- Advocated for comprehensive software testing, emphasizing significance of testing pyramid's various layers
- Evaluated continuous improvement within client software teams through meticulous metrics analysis
- Conducted immersive Test-Driven Development (TDD) Training Courses for external clients, ensuring hands-on learning experiences
- Delivered regular progress reports to senior leadership, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational objectives
- Integrated seamlessly as vital member of client software development teams, offering holistic coaching and guidance
- Orchestrated Mob Programming sessions with clients, fostering collaborative problem-solving environments.
Developer Performance Manager
World Wide Technology
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed team of 12 employees as Adjunct Manager, ensuring efficient operations and fostering collaborative work environment
- Implemented Annual Reviews for team members, setting clear objectives and goals to drive performance and professional growth
- Managed professional development initiatives, conducting regular one-on-one meetings to provide feedback and support individual career advancement
- Offered coaching and mentoring to address personnel and project-related challenges, promoting team cohesion and productivity
- Strategically allocated project resources by orchestrating staffing assignments and conducting thorough evaluations of employee skill sets
- Responsible for approving weekly timesheets, vacations, and expense reports, maintaining adherence to organizational policies and budgetary guidelines.
Practice Manager, Technical Mentorship
World Wide Technology
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Enhanced Technical Mentorship approach (Player Coach) to ensure quality engagement with client organizations
- Provided comprehensive team leadership encompassing training, coaching, development, succession planning, recruitment, and resource management
- Aligned team objectives with business goals, ensuring seamless integration into practice
- Spearheaded team acceleration by identifying and eliminating obstacles
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to achieve overarching objectives in response to industry dynamics
- Consulted with and supported sales team in identifying potential opportunities.
- Supervised team of 10 office personnel
Senior Software Developer
World Wide Technology
01.2007 - 01.2019
- Played key role in development of internal and external client projects, leveraging diverse technologies tailored to meet specific client requirements
- Conducted rigorous unit testing on code across both front-end and back-end systems, employing Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Refactoring methodologies to ensure high-quality outcomes
- Actively engaged in collaborative programming approaches such as pair programming and mob programming to foster efficient code development and knowledge sharing
- Regularly participated in essential Agile ceremonies including daily standups, retrospectives, and story refinement sessions to facilitate effective team communication and project progress tracking.
- Achieved significant revenue generation exceeding $5 million through collaborative contributions to various teams.
Education
BS - Software Engineering
ITT-Technical Institute
Arnold, Mo 09.2005 - 05.2009
AAS - Software Applications
ITT-Technical Institute
Arnold, Mo 09.2005 - 05.2008
Skills
People Management
Mentoring
Coaching
Stakeholder management
Trend forecasting
Leadership during change
Strong interpersonal skills
Agile Scrum and Kanban Process
Facilitation
Delivering Feedback
Test Driven Development
Mob Programming
Unit Testing
UAT Testing
C#/NET/NET Core
Java
JavaScript
Software Development Tools: JIRA, Confluence
Accomplishments
- Provided expert consultation to an aerospace software development team grappling with challenges in enhancing an outdated code base. Guided the team through the implementation of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Agile Software Development methodologies, instilling best practices for sustainable progress. Notably, following my involvement, senior leadership informed me that the team successfully deployed to production nine times within a span of three months, without experiencing a single failed deployment.
- Led the inception and evolution of a Test Automation service within the organization, transforming an initial concept into a comprehensive and mature offering. Developed tailored playbooks and streamlined processes to effectively engage with client organizations, assess their unique needs, and progress in their automation journey, and deliver customized, sustainable solutions designed to meet their long-term objectives.
- Orchestrated a highly impactful Agile Transformation initiative, revolutionizing operations at a prominent credit union. Achieved remarkable results, doubling productivity and velocity, elevating customer satisfaction levels, and significantly enhancing the credit union's overall quality rating. Learn more about this transformational journey at: https://www.wwt.com/case-study/agilemethodology-transforms-alaska-federalcredit-union-it-organization
References
AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Timeline
Lead Software Developer
BP3 Global, Inc.
01.2023 - 04.2024
Developer Performance Manager
World Wide Technology
01.2022 - 01.2023
Practice Manager, Technical Mentorship
World Wide Technology
01.2019 - 01.2023
Senior Software Developer
World Wide Technology
01.2007 - 01.2019
BS - Software Engineering
ITT-Technical Institute
09.2005 - 05.2009
AAS - Software Applications
ITT-Technical Institute
09.2005 - 05.2008
Lead Technical Mentor
World Wide Technology