# James Spillmann

> Engineering @ Surfside

Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/jamesspillmann

As a Software Engineer passionate about building backend systems, I'm excited to bring my experience in cloud infrastructure and API development to New York's tech scene to drive transformative technological advancements. 

Notable Contributions:

– Designed and deployed a modern AWS-based web scraper, processing over 1500 RSS/Atom feeds in 30 seconds using AWS Lambda, S3, API Gateway, and DynamoDB. This streamlined setup reduced memory usage below 256 MB, boosting efficiency and scalability and incorporating ethical IP bypass strategies via API Gateway. The system leverages AWS CDK for infrastructure management, integrating with Bitbucket pipelines and Docker for efficient dependency management and layer updates across preview and production environments.

– Optimized data fetching and state management via SWR with useSWRInfinite and DynamoDB, cutting API load times by 50%. Crafted reusable Tailwind styled components and custom hooks to enhance UI consistency. Advanced user experience through seamless pagination, lazy loading, and adaptive dark mode features, tripling data visibility with dynamic tabbed displays and CSS animations.

– Enhanced SSD drive integration by refining test scripts and conducting exhaustive compatibility testing on third-party drives, using Linux-based tools to reduce failure rates and accelerate production timelines. Led firmware validation and continuous validation processes, including stress and concurrency testing, to ensure robust SSD health management. Utilized NVMe commands for error triage and debugging of SSD errors, facilitating rapid recovery from complex failure states.

Specialties:

• Programming Languages & Frameworks: Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, C++, HTML, CSS, Node.js React.js, Next.js, FastAPI, GraphQL, SWR, Tailwind CSS, Hono
• Cloud Services & Infrastructure: AWS CDK, EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, DynamoDB, API Gateway, CloudFormation, Route 53, Secrets Manager, CloudWatch, IAM, SNS, Docker, CI/CD Pipelines
• Data Management & Security: PostgreSQL, MySQL, DynamoDB, OAuth, AWS Secrets Manager, Sentry, Redis
• System Design: System Architecture, API Management, Load Balancing, Data Integration, Cloud Infrastructure Optimization, Automated Infrastructure Provisioning

My role as a software engineer is not just a job; it's a passion. I am a dedicated learner and a collaborative team player. If you're looking for a dynamic software engineer who can bring technical acumen and creative problem-solving skills to your team, I would be thrilled to hear from you at jjspill@umich.edu.

## Work Experience
### Software Engineer @ Surfside
Jan 2024 – Present | New York, United States

### Software Engineer @ SPACInsider.com
Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 | New York, United States
• Architected a scalable RSS feed aggregator using AWS Lambda and DynamoDB, enhancing data processing efficiency and system scalability.
• Redesigned front-end integrations to support a robust backend architecture, employing modern technologies like Next.js and SWR for optimal performance.
• Developed a Hono-based AWS Lambda API for real-time event synchronization, utilizing PostgreSQL for data integrity and secure access management via AWS Route 53.
• Implemented cloud resource management with AWS CDK, streamlining the deployment process across multiple environments and ensuring high availability.
• Participated in rapid on-call troubleshooting efforts, utilizing Sentry integrated with communication tools for immediate error resolution, significantly improving system uptime and reliability.
• Authored and maintained extensive technical documentation for over 64 repositories, significantly enhancing knowledge dissemination and operational readiness.

### Firmware Validation Engineer @ Solidigm
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | Longmont, Colorado, United States
• Engineered Python automation scripts to enhance compatibility across development environments, saving over 10 hours of manual labor.
• Helped critical migration process of 4,000+ tests in five days by overseeing version control and performing smoke tests.
• Recognized as a key role player in technology transition projects, contributing significantly to team efficiency and project success.
• Conducted specialized SSD testing on non-Intel drives, identifying and rectifying over 200 non-NVMe command tests to ensure broad system compatibility and future-readiness while also authoring detailed documentation of these testing protocols and results, significantly boosting knowledge sharing and procedural accuracy across the engineering team.

### Firmware Validation Engineer @ Intel Corporation
Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | Longmont, Colorado, United States
• Integrated and automated complex test suites within the company’s testing framework, collaborating closely with test execution teams to ensure thorough and effective firmware validation.
• Utilized Intel’s FAST (Firmware Automation System Test) software to perform comprehensive firmware validation tests, identifying critical errors and streamlining the debugging process via Jira.
• Developed and deployed a Python-based GUI using Tkinter to streamline YAML generation, almost halving test initiation time.
• Oversaw SSD client pool management, optimizing test drive performance and health, increasing test throughput and system reliability.


## Education
### Bachelor of Science - BS in Computer Science
University of Michigan
Jan 2019 – Jan 2023


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/james-spillmann
- Website: https://james-spillmann.com

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Source: https://flows.cv/jamesspillmann
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/jamesspillmann/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-03-20