Jacob Heater
Principal Software Engineer
Washington DC Metro Area
Professional Summary
Leveraging over a decade of experience, I am a Principal Software Engineer specializing in the architecture and scaling of sophisticated software solutions spanning multiple industries. My deep technical proficiency covers modern web frameworks, resilient backend systems, cloud infrastructure, and efficient CI/CD pipelines, promoting seamless product delivery. I am adept at leading initiatives from concept through production, consistently achieving a balance of velocity, quality, and maintainability to meet defined business requirements. My contributions extend beyond coding; I apply learned leadership principles to mentor engineers, optimize team workflows, and ensure technical roadmaps integrate tightly with overarching business strategies, driving impactful results in any organizational context.
Core Competencies
Languages & Frameworks
Frontend Technologies
Backend & API
Architecture & System Design
DevOps & Infrastructure
Tools & Methodologies
Professional Experience
Software Engineering Consultant (Contract)
CVS Health
Remote
- Built software development processes for SOC Triage engineering team.
- Created a scrum team from the ground up from a group of SOC hybrid developers.
- Designed SOAR components to automate SOC workflows.
- Designed internal alert enrichment tools and created architecture diagrams.
- Ran agile project management for Executive Director and VP of CyberDefense.
- Coached and mentored hybrid SOC software developers on agile and software development best practices.
- Spearheaded team structural changes and introduced platform engineering team concepts.
- Worked with stakeholders to translate requirements into clear acceptance criteria for Triage scrum team to work on.
Senior Engineering Manager
Expel
Remote
- Led two remote teams supporting the SOC and platform infrastructure.
- Created 'Ludicrous Speed' workflow, improving SLAs during 200% alert volume spike.
- Built Angular metrics dashboard adopted by nine teams.
- Improved MTTR by 40% through SOC collaboration.
- Launched tech-debt rotation reducing build instability by 70%.
- Promoted 4 engineers following company promotion paths and career development frameworks.
Promoted From:
Engineering Manager
Expel
Remote
- Led two remote teams focused on SOC support and developer experience.
- Implemented quarterly capacity-based planning with cross-domain alignment.
- Rebuilt stakeholder trust via consistent roadmap delivery.
Engineering Manager
Swimlane
Remote
- Established relationship-based management and agile delivery processes.
- Conducted all ceremonies per Scrum methodology.
Promoted From:
Senior Software Developer
Swimlane
Remote
- Led backend development using C#, Node.js, MongoDB, Python.
- Handled escalations and contributed to on-call support rotations.
Software Engineer II
COFENSE
Remote
- Built phishing report plugins for Gmail and Office365.
- Introduced CI pipelines across button product line.
- Converted JS to TypeScript, enhancing maintainability.
Software Architect (Freelance)
Harrity & Harrity, LLP
Remote
- Designed REST APIs with Node.js and Express.
- Enabled NLP-driven document generation in MS Office plugins.
- Created extensible plugin frameworks for legal templates.
Senior Software Engineer (Contract)
Deltek
Herndon, Virginia, United States
- Contributed to JS design system using CanJS.
- Built E2E testing framework using Selenium and ChromeDriver.
- Maintained backend C#/VB.NET APIs.
Mid-Level Software Engineer (Contract)
Defense Health Agency
Centreville, Virginia, United States
- Developed full-stack apps with C#.NET, jQuery, T-SQL.
- Designed WCF duplex services and implemented SignalR.
- Standardized military web APIs and contracts.
Software Developer (Contract)
USDA
Washington DC
- Designed normalized databases, REST/SOAP APIs for new features.
- Created jQuery plugins for frontend reuse.
Software Developer (Contract)
United Association
Annapolis, Maryland, United States
- Developed REST APIs with WCF, frontend with jQuery.
- Built internal apps for registration, staffing, and more.
Education
Bachelor's degree, Global Affairs
George Mason University
Cum Laude
Associate of Arts and Sciences - AAS, General Studies
Laurel Ridge Community College
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