# Alex Bair > Senior Software Engineer Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/alexbair I'm a senior software engineer with experience building and maintaining asynchronous programs in Python, Golang, and Rust. I leverage my engineering and project management backgrounds to deconstruct complex problems and drive them to resolution. I'm currently building and maintaining integrations at Estuary. Before Estuary, I built Willow, an open-source framework for creating change data capture pipelines. When I'm not at the computer, I bake (usually tasty) cookies and lift (not usually heavy) weights. ## Work Experience ### Senior Software Engineer @ Estuary Jan 2025 – Present ### Software Engineer @ Estuary Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 ### Creator, Software Engineer @ Willow Jan 2024 – Jan 2024 Willow (https://willow-cdc.github.io) is an open-source framework for creating change data capture pipelines. It reflects database changes to a cache in near real-time. - Reduced pipeline creation process from 9 steps to 4 steps. - Designed and constructed a custom connector to transform events from Kafka and send to a cache (KafkaJS). - Resolved Debezium configuration issues preventing multiple pipelines from connecting to the same database. - Ensured Willow functions when provided a minimum privileged database user, avoiding the need to provide Willow with superuser privileges. - Architected and implemented RESTful API facilitating pipeline creation and teardown (Express). - Built pipeline management UI (React, Material UI). - Authored comprehensive technical case study (https://willow-cdc.github.io/case-study). ### Software Engineer @ Unknown Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 | Chapel Hill, NC Developed freelance and open-source applications including: - Whirlpool - Tool for collecting and debugging webhooks (DO Droplet, Nginx, MongoDB, Express, Socket.io). - Media Watchlist - A media tracking web app (Ruby, Sinatra, PostgreSQL, HTML/CSS). ### Specialist, Project Management @ Merck Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 | Elkton, VA - Led cross-functional teams on a $46MM capital project portfolio to increase vaccine supply capacity. - Fostered a collaborative, friendly environment among team members while achieving business objectives. - Aligned multiple stakeholders on project scope and objectives. - Communicated frequently with leadership team on project status. - Resolved project issues in a timely and efficient manner. - Monitored scope, schedule, and cost through project duration. ### Associate Specialist, Project Management @ Merck Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | Elkton, VA ### Photolithography Process Engineer @ Texas Instruments Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | Dallas, TX - Responsible for critical dimension SEM and registration metrology processes. - Investigate technical issues and provide recommendations based on data analysis and hands-on field investigation. - Determine, coordinate, and execute activities to reduce holds on production material by 30%. - Install flow sensors on 88 chemical lines on FSI and TEL tracks. - Develop and refine detection/interdiction system for atypical process signals. - Qualify new chemical pump through change control process. - Review and improve procedures for equipment training and operation. - Communicate and present project updates to upper management. ### Resident Assistant @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 | Terre Haute, IN - Responsible for 123 students, resolving residential issues and fostering team bonding. - Organize and facilitate floor-wide activities. - Assimilate new residents into university environment. ### Surface Preparation Intern @ Texas Instruments Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Dallas, TX - Document utilities and controls for 81 tools. - Revise LOTO procedures to comply with OSHA standard. - Learn aspects of semiconductor fabrication. ### Operations Intern @ Schreiber Foods Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 | Stephenville, TX - Reduce number of tools in Chunk line by 22% and in Slice line by 7%. - Replace existing designs with tool-less solutions. - Save approximately 7.67 production minutes per week. - Comply with cGMP regulations. ### Sophomore Advisor @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Jan 2014 – Jan 2015 | Terre Haute, Indiana - Assist 44 freshmen acclimate to life in college. - Organize and lead recreational activities for entire floor. - Mentor students in undergraduate courses. ### Sophomore Peer Educator @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Jan 2014 – Jan 2014 | Terre Haute, Indiana • Instructed a College and Life Skills section. • Created lesson plan for time management session. ### Fast Track Calculus Counselor @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Jan 2014 – Jan 2014 | Terre Haute, Indiana • Responsible for scoring and inputting grades for 30 participants. • Mentored students with calculus. • Created and maintained a positive team atmosphere. ### Engineering Intern @ Therma Tru Jan 2014 – Jan 2014 | Butler, Indiana • Created polyol-resin blends and tested their water content to generate a calibration curve for a standard operating procedure. • Analyzed defect locations and applied finding to reduce polyurethane defects by 7% in specific doors. • Gathered water percentage data to improve heat exchanger operation. • Tested samples for viscosity using viscometers. ### Math Department Grader @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Jan 2013 – Jan 2014 | Terre Haute, Indiana • Responsible for grading homework assignments. • Inputted grades online. ## Education ### Software Engineering Launch School Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 ### Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Jan 2013 – Jan 2017 ### High School Diploma Van Wert High School Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/alex-bair-a8a368a8 - Website: https://alex-bair.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/alexbair JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/alexbair/resume.json Last updated: 2026-03-29