John Baker

Software Developer

Skills

Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, PHP, HTML/CSS
Backend Frameworks & Libraries: Django, Flask, FastAPI, Node.js, Express.js
Frontend Frameworks & Libraries: React, Next.js, jQuery
Game Development: Unity
CSS Frameworks & UI: Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, Material-UI
DevOps & CI/CD: Git, Docker, GitHub Actions, CircleCI, Jenkins, Ansible, Terraform, Kubernetes, nginx
Databases & Caching: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, Firestore
Messaging & Queues: RabbitMQ, Celery, gRPC, AWS SQS, GCP Pub/Sub
Monitoring & Alerting: DataDog, Sentry
Testing Frameworks: Jest, Mocha, Selenium

Experience

Senior Software Developer Aspire May 2023 - Present: Rebuilt a scalable social data pipeline processing millions of posts daily for social listening and time-series insights.
Designed a high-performance ads data pipeline to deliver actionable campaign insights.
Developed an automation framework using Temporal to simplify complex workflow orchestration.
Modernized legacy systems, enhancing platform scalability and maintainability.
Improved platform performance and scalability to meet growing business demands.
Freelance Software Developer Sep 2007 - Present: Collaborated with global clients to deliver web, mobile, and game applications.
Worked on notable projects like Google Design and Disney Spoonful, focusing on custom CMS solutions and platform migrations.
Technical Director The Young Astronauts Apr 2019 - Jul 2022: Directed development on projects such as Storyplace, SURF, and MusiCounts.
Managed a team of developers and created in-house tools to optimize workflows.
Implemented scalable backend architectures and seamless integrations for clients.
Lead Software Developer Secret Location Jul 2016 - Apr 2019: Led development of VR titles, including Transpose and Blasters of the Universe, focusing on cross-platform compatibility and gameplay mechanics.
Pioneered AR/VR prototypes, including a 3D animated short film using AR technology.
Developed innovative solutions for physics-based challenges and real-time interactions in VR.
Lead Software Developer The Young Astronauts Aug 2014 - Jul 2015: Built a location-based engagement platform, integrating real-time user interactions.
Mentored junior developers and contributed to high-impact client projects.
Senior Software Developer Playground Oct 2012 - Feb 2014: Shipped platforms for major clients such as Rakuten Kobo, Canada Goose, and YTV.
Developed a geolocation-based monster-catching game prototype using OpenStreetMap data.
Senior Software Developer Pilot Interactive Sep 2011 - Apr 2012: Led teams to deliver platforms like Toronto Standard and Lastman's Bad Boy Superstore inventory system.
Created a custom PHP MVC framework used across multiple projects.
Software Developer Playground Sep 2008 - Sep 2011: Developed foundational products like DealLocator and TeamBuy, driving business growth.

Highlighted Projects

Google Design Lead Developer 2022 - 2023: Reimagined and rebuilt the Google Design platform with a custom CMS and API.
Automated migration of hundreds of page designs, ensuring high accessibility and performance standards.
Collaborated with Google engineers to align with Google’s design and development principles.
HDReye Lead Developer & Co-Founder 2021 - 2024: Developed HDReye, an iOS app for creating custom 360° HDRi images for 3D lighting and compositing.
Engineered a multi-exposure stitching pipeline and .EXR format generation, enabling professional-grade HDRis via iPhone.
Revolutionized HDR image creation by replacing the need for expensive hardware with smartphone technology.
SURF Lead Developer 2022: Designed and developed SURF, a platform enabling global collaboration, packaging, and sales of unreleased music.
Built a secure backend with a custom CMS, real-time messaging, and payment integration.
Served high-profile clients, including Sony Music Labels Japan, The Pokémon Company, Universal Virgin Japan and more.
Storyplace Lead Developer 2018 - 2022: Led the development of a cross-platform social journaling app promoting self-expression and emotional well-being.
Built a scalable backend architecture with robust content moderation and user engagement tools.
Transpose Lead Developer 2018 - 2019: Led development of Transpose, a VR puzzle game featuring time manipulation and physics challenges.
Designed a deterministic physics replay system and innovative gameplay mechanics.
Released on Oculus, Steam, and PlayStation VR, earning a Metacritic score of 80.
Blasters of the Universe Lead Developer 2016 - 2018: Developed Blasters of the Universe, a VR bullet hell game emphasizing movement-based gameplay.
Implemented gameplay mechanics, cross-platform optimization, and real-time audio and animation systems.
Released on Oculus, Steam, and PlayStation VR, achieving a Metacritic score of 76.
Loblaws.com Senior Developer 2014: Developed Loblaws' online grocery platform, focusing on user interface and backend integration.
Delivered a scalable solution for Canada's largest food distributor, enhancing digital user experience.
Disney Spoonful Senior Developer 2012: Helped transform Disney's Family Fun platform into Spoonful, a resource for creative family activities.
Developed Disney’s first platform on a custom CMS, enabling scalability across disney.com and espn.com.

Education

Automotive Engineering Ontario Tech University Sep 2007 - Apr 2009
Ontario Secondary School Diploma Anderson CVI Sep 2002 - Jun 2006