Rob Zimmerman
"Jack of all trades. Rob prides himself in being able to learn, adapt, and conquer. His goal is simple: identify innovative solutions and assemble the teams to build them."
Fun Fact: Rob hates talking about himself in the third person.
"Rob can write code quickly, and prototype stuff like a mad man. We've worked on projects together and stuff just gets done. That's how development should be."
Derrick SchommerSoftware Developer
Core Competencies
Python Development
I've used Python for a variety of projects ranging from library development, test automation, and fully functional SaaS applications. Python development experience has been done on all major operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux. Professional and open-source projects always include unit testing and CI/CD systems.
Projects
- Chirps - Chirps is an open source AI security scanning tool. My role was to architect, develop, and lead a small team in the initial implementation of the tool. Developed using Django, Chirps utilizes several techniques in order to secure vector databases and Large Language Models (LLMs). Learn more
- IPFIX / Netflow 9 Collector - While testing IPFIX and Netflow 9 for F5 Networks, we needed an in-house solution for automation. I developed a set of Python libraries for easy automation of the F5 IPFIX solution. In addition, I used Django to create a web-based GUI that manual testers, developers, and support used in their day-to-day activities.
- Automation Test Harnesses - Using Django, celery, and various tools, an automation testing harness was developed for testing at Acopia Networks and F5 Networks. The harnesses executed automated tests against devices, stored results, and allowed users to review and report on test failures.
- DevHuddle - DevHuddle was a massive undertaking. I co-founded DevHuddle to tackle problems software developers experience with chat application. DevHuddle was a fully featured chat platform with tight integrations to GitHub and large language models (Google Gemini). Learn more
- Pin Sheet Pro - Pin Sheet Pro is a platform for providing daily fee and tournament golfers with digital or physical hole locations. Learn more
- 3 Up Golf: Yardage Book Marketplace - Developed the world's first golf yardage book marketplace. Users could upload their books to the marketplace and sell them. Technology Stack: Python, Django, Stripe, Shippo, Redis, Websockets, ImageMagick
- GolfTradr.com - Real-Time Trading Fantasy Sports Platform. Users would buy and sell virtual shares in players in a bid to amass the highest portfolio value. Technology Stack: Django, Pandas, PubNub, jQuery, Bootstrap
- Stackzilla - Stackzilla is a Python ORM for managing application infrastructure and software. Learn more
Game Development
Game development has always been a hobby pastime. In recent years, the attention has shifted to developing titles with the intention of shipping them – novel concept, I know. Although I have developed multiple engines for 2D and 3D titles, I am now using GameMaker to focus less on the technology development and more on the title itself.
Projects
- Zim's Word Game - In this fast-paced puzzle, you build words from letters as they fall from the top of the play area. Avoid letting the board fill up – otherwise it's game over! Available on iOS, Android, and PC. Learn more
- Dungeon Rustlers - Dungeon Rustlers is a retro dungeon crawler for the PC. Players command one of three playable classes, fight their way through 50 dungeons, and try to climb the global leader boards for time and score. Learn more
C++ Development
Developing C++ both professionally and on side projects, I have experience with Linux and Windows development environments. I bring expertise both in architecture design as well as an individual contributor. Quickly learning API's and integrating them into a complete solution comes naturally.
Projects
- Sibyl (CIFS/NFS File Validation Tool) - In order to test a multi-protocol storage virtualization appliance, I developed a cross platform tool. Sibyl would perform file system operations on a mount point, storing metadata about all of its operations. Cross-compatible with Windows, Linux, and OSX.
- PhotoMonkee (Hardware Accelerated Photo Editing) - Developed and published a Windows photo editing application. Using OpenGL, OpenCL, and Qt, Photomonkee was born. It included a robust set of editing tools, filters, as well as a plugin system.
- TCP Load Balancer (Proximus) - Prototyped a Layer 7 TCP load balancing application to evaluate the performance of DPDK in an all-Intel hardware solution. A "happy-path" TCP stack was written from scratch.
- Password Manager - Using Win32 and MFC, developed an application to store and manage passwords.
Career Timeline
Software Engineering Manager
AtScale- Manage all backend software teams
- Mentor junior developers
- Contribute to architectural discussions
- Participate in customer support calls
- Develop feature roadmap
- Advocate for AI-first development
Co-Founder & CEO
DevHuddle- Google Cloud Platform
- Developed Backend for Chat Application
- Integrate AI technologies into stack
- Manage day-to-day business operations
- Inbound & Outbound Marketing (email/social)
- Developed Golf Pin Sheet Application
- Contracting Services for AI companies
Staff Engineer
Mantium AI- Lead developer on data ingestion and synchronization engine
- Developed SaaS functionality using FastAPI and Ray.io
- Developed Django-based security scanning tool (chirps)
- Extremely fast-paced development environment. Quick prototypes and POC's
Senior Platform Engineer
DataRobot- DevOps automation using boto3 library and Apache LibCloud
- Cross-Cloud Provisioning Tool
- Pipeline Automation using Jenkins-Job-Builder
- Utilized SQLAlchemy, SQLite, and PostgreSQL for distributed cluster information
- Build GitHub Actions for functional test and Python package publishing
Senior Software Engineer
Oracle- DevOps Engineer for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure DNS team
- Extensive Docker use in both Swarm and Kubernetes deployments
- Member of the Network Automation team
- Used Chef and Ansible to deploy network configurations
Principal Software Engineer
F5 Networks- Developed packet accelerator in C++ on Linux using DPDK (with Control Plane)
- Served as Team Technical Lead
- Built a fully functional IPFIX collector Python library supporting TCP, UDP and TLS
- Test Lead for new protocol rollouts
- Test plan authoring & execution
- Develop and maintain python libraries for configuring and testing HA on the BIG-IP devices
- Explore new product areas and technologies for F5
Owner
Zimventures- Perform daily outbound sales activities
- Create professional websites for small businesses
- Photography work for client websites
- Maintain highly redundant server for client websites
Test Automation / Tools Development
Acopia Networks- Design, implement, and execute unit tests for product features which are currently in development
- Create tools in PERL, and C++ to assist in the testing process. Tools were used for traffic generation, performance measurement, and feature verification
- Acquired by F5 Networks
Owner & Operator
3 Up GolfAs an independent golf ball company, we manufactured and sold directly to consumers via our website. Eventually closed the ball business to focus on Yardage Book Marketplace (current).
- Social media management, communications and marketing
- E-commerce management, product sourcing
- Web development, press engagements, trade shows
- Wholesale negotiations, sales staff management
- Graphic arts (print and digital), relationship building
Software Engineer
Cisco Systems- Designed and developed traffic statistics gathering for customer billing and load balancing
- Implemented configurable garbage collection for layer 5 long-lived traffic
- Designed the transport protocol for next generation features using BSD Sockets in Linux
- Web interface test automation using Segue's Silktest
Software Engineer
ArrowPoint Communications- Defect resolution team
- Developed memory tracking tools (PERL)
- Acquired by Cisco Systems
Skills
Software Development
Well versed in several languages, Rob can design, develop, test, and deploy your solution. Experienced in: C/C++, Python, Django, jQuery, Network Development, Embedded Systems, Game engine development, networked file systems, and more.
Server Administration
Having been a Linux user since the kernel fit on a floppy disk, server administration comes naturally. LAMP, high availability, basic security practices, and database administration.
Web Development
It all started with a VMWare reservation system (in PERL!) back before the word Hypervisor was invented. Since then, I've written several web applications in Python (Django) using jQuery and Bootstrap.
Leadership
Technical leadership. Team building. Empowering others. All without hours of useless meetings and pointless status emails. I love to inspire others.
Photography
Sometimes, capturing the world around you is all it takes to get the creative juices flowing.
Marketing
Social media, paid advertising, traditional media, trade shows, and exhibitions are just a small sampling of the marketing work I've done for my own businesses.
Testimonials
"Apart from his undeniable intelligence and technical prowess, Rob is also possessed of an exuberance and enthusiasm that is infectious and instantly ingratiates him to his coworkers. All the times our paths have crossed, Rob has shown himself to be very resourceful, thoughtful, innovative and collaborative."
"Rob is among the best engineers I've worked with in my career. He has a gift for seeing functional gaps and coming up with novel, elegant solutions to fill those, and the drive to see even very long projects through to the end. On a personal level, he's a joy to work with."
"I worked with Rob at F5 Networks while he was building the next generation automated testing platform. Rob was always happy to help me understand how the tests worked, debug issues, and build new tests. I hope to work with Rob again at some point."
"I worked with Rob when he started his career at Arrowpoint Communications. As a young engineer, he was always inquisitive and quick to absorb new technologies. Over time, I have seen him develop into a seasoned industry veteran. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident with multiple ventures."
"I had the pleasure of working alongside Rob for several years and I can honestly tell you that he is the best there is. His 'teach a man to fish' attitude makes us all more productive in our jobs. Always willing to accept a challenge, Rob thrives on the more difficult tasks."
What I'm Looking For Next
Cutting Edge Systems
My ideal position involves working with cutting edge tools, environments, and technologies. That being said - sometimes legacy systems can be engaging too. Solving interesting problems is just as fun as cutting edge platforms.
Extreme Ownership
Working with teams who take complete ownership of their work is extremely rewarding. I bring enthusiasm, a zest for learning, and love for creating software. Working along side those who share those traits is a huge plus.
Skip The Cube Farm
I'm just as productive in a coffee shop as I would be in the office. Having some flexibility with regards to a working schedule would go a long way. Nobody likes being in a cell under florescent light for 9 hours a day!
About Me
With 25 years in technology, my passion is helping others work more effectively by creating innovative tools and solutions. From the first day I moved a pixel around on a Commodore 64 (in BASIC) it was love at first syntax error.
Rapidly learning new technologies is something of a pastime. There is always a "side project" going on in the background, and for good reason. Learning new technologies via a side project allows me to rapidly learn, fail, and become proficient – without adding the complexity of a structured production environment.
In the capacity of a team leader, my primary goal is always to increase the productivity of team members. That goal is achieved by providing technical leadership, automated tools and testing, and just enough humor to keep things on the lighter side. Just because we're working doesn't mean we can't have fun!
The decision to hire me isn't about putting a body on a project. Hiring me will enable your company, division, or team to become effective problem solvers and innovators.