About Me

I am a full stack developer living in the Canadian National Capitol Region. I created my first website at the age of 14, back when pointer trails and flash animations were cool. I have been working with web technologies ever since. I develop primary using JavaScript/Node.js and PHP. Currently, I work in the Internet of Things area at BlackBerry (Originally Research In Motion (RIM)). I have previously worked at IBM and have consulted for many small to large-sized organizations.

In my personal time I enjoy learning new technologies, frequenting Ottawa's best dog parks, kayaking, sailing, and making music.

Greg Somers
Bonnie Lily Kiwi Sophie

Technical Skills

PHP

Skill Level: Proficient
Time: 10+ years

PHP was my first language, I have used it for the majority of my career. I've built content management systems, Drupal modules/sites, e-eommerce solutions, and web applications with Symfony 2

HTML/CSS

Skill Level: Expert
Time: 15+ years

I have a thorough understanding of HTML and semantic markup. Mastery of CSS, Less, SASS, Stylus, and Bootstrap. I make misbehaving pixels behave

JavaScript

Skill Level: Proficient
Time: 6+ years

JavaScript is my current language of choice. Experience with Node.js, AngularJS, React, Backbone, jQuery, ES6 and ES8

Databases

Skill Level: Proficient
Time: 10+ years

Relational databases, database design, MySQL, Mongo, ElasticSearch, Cassandra, Redis

DevOps

Skill Level: Competent
Time: 10+ years

I've been using things like Docker, Terraform, Jenkins, and AWS to deploy complex web applications. I am involved all facets of development and delivery, from designing services and architectures to implementation of automation

Graphic Design

Skill Level: Competent
Time: 15+ years

I have a working proficiency in application design along with the associated tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fireworks

Work Experience

Nov, 2017 -
Present

BlackBerry

Full Stack Developer, IoT

Working on the BlackBerry Radar IoT offering's cloud development team. Leading efforts in the design, architecture, and development of microservices using the latest technologies (JavaScript, Node.JS, Docker, AWS, React, ElasticSearch, distributed messaging, etc). Champion for clean code, standards, automation, and testing. Actively performing and promoting DevOps practices.

Sept, 2015 -
Nov, 2017

IBM

Staff Software Engineer

Full stack developer on the IBM Watson Analytics cloud application, specialized in the core dashboard user interface and the supporting single page application framework. Worked daily with technologies such as JavaScript, CSS3, NodeJS, jQuery, Bootstrap, Docker, Git, and more. Also played an embedded devops role, managing the UI tier's CI build and pipeline infrastructure, and coordinating product deployments.

2005 -
2015

Self Employed

Web Developer & Consultant

Provided web development and consulting services to clients such as University of Ottawa, MJS BioLynx Inc., Chromatographic Specialties Inc., Essential Skills Software Inc., and Scandent LLC. Typical duties involved the full software lifecycle including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, debugging and maintenance.

EDUCATION & DIPLOMAS

2016

Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) - Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of Ottawa

Areas of Focus: Embedded Systems, Real-time Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Circuit Simulation, RF Simulation using Harmonic Balance, Software Project Management
Research Thesis Topic: Acceleration of LU factorization of sparse matrices on heterogeneous platforms
Key Projects

  • Extending the FreeRTOS real-time kernel to implement priority ceiling protocol
  • Development of a block aware parallel LU decomposition library using C and C++
  • Development of a multi-GPU accelerated block aware parallel LU decomposition library using OpenCL, C and C++
Awards and Achievements
  • University of Ottawa Master’s Full Admissions Scholarship – 2013-2015
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) - Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship – 2014-2015
  • University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship – 2014-2015

2013

Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) - Computer Engineering

University of Ottawa

Areas of Focus: Java, C, Embedded Systems/Microcontrollers, VHDL, Altera FPGA, Object Oriented Software Concepts, Digital Electronics, Design of Secure Systems, Databases, Computer Architecture
Additional Areas of Focus: Management, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, and Law
Key Projects:

  • Parallel image processing using multiple Altera NIOS II embedded processors
  • Design and implementation of an embedded RFID access control system with Wi-Fi and web interface. Using a PIC microcontroller, the system integrated a TCP/IP stack, Wi-Fi module, IR sensors, magnetic sensor, solenoids, with control logic written in C
Achievements: Dean’s Honour List 2010-2011, 2012-2013

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