# Spencer Whaley

> Software Architect / Staff Software Engineer at IBM

Location: Santa Clara, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/spencerwhaley

I am a proven senior backend software engineer with a track record of building real-time distributed systems and cloud-native software products.
With strong backend REST API design skills and hands-on experience with Java, Spring Boot, AWS, and SQL and NoSql databases such as Postgres, DynamoDB, ElasticSearch, and Apache Kafka, I have the skills to be an asset to your team. 
I am looking for a challenging role where I can continue to leverage my technical skills to drive software engineering innovation and business growth.

## Work Experience
### Software Architect / Staff Software Engineer @ IBM
Jan 2023 – Present

### Senior Software Engineer Team Lead @ PEAK6
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | United States
• Led development of a full-stack software engineering team at PEAK6 (a fintech and investment firm with 7
subsidiaries and a $22B portfolio) working directly for the chief executive team to incubate their software
product ideas.
• Designed and implemented AWS cloud-native backend REST APIs with Java Spring Boot, SQL databases with Postgres, NoSQL databases with ElasticSearch and DynamoDB, and frontend user interfaces with React.
• Architected and coded key system components with a focus on backend systems. Concurrently mentored junior engineers through pair programming and code reviews.
• Implemented modern DevOps practices including Docker containerization, serverless deployment to AWS ECS and Lambda, and CI/CD using GitHub Actions.
• Introduced Terraform as Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to automate provisioning of AWS cloud infrastructure, decreasing new project startup time by 50%.
• Mentored junior engineers through pair programming, collaborative design sessions, and PR code reviews.
• Balanced multiple complex projects with high-visibility stakeholders using Agile methodologies, leading regular cross-function product development meetings to align technical roadmaps with the product vision.

### Software Engineer @ Intuitive
Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 | Sunnyvale, California, United States
•	Worked in the Advanced Process Technologies team developing software for high-volume robotic medical device manufacturing, receiving 5 Making a Difference awards for exceptional results.
•	Built a distributed real-time data processing platform with a Kappa architecture that ingested equipment data across three global manufacturing sites into a central Apache Kafka cluster using Kafka Connect for CDC.
•	Unlocked real-time process performance analysis and contextual downtime alerts by developing containerized Java stream processing microservices using Kafka Streams.
• Created a novel computer-vision-automated laser welder API using C# and SQL Server that greatly enhanced system flexibility, throughput, and data collection, facilitating over 950 surgeries daily.

### Engineering Intern @ Intuitive Surgical
Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Sunnyvale, CA
•	Supported the Laser Services team by automating lab-based laser processes through electro-mechanical design and programming
•	Gave multiple presentations on laser technology, laser manufacturing capabilities, and laser DFM

### Engineering Intern @ Lam Research
Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 | Fremont, CA
•	Worked in the R&D group for etch and deposition processes
•	Designed and programmed an automated silicon wafer handling system, achieving sub-millimeter precision

### Engineering Intern @ IPG Photonics
Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Mountain View, CA
•	Performed various engineering design projects to improve speed of laser system manufacturing lines


## Education
### Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Jan 2015 – Jan 2019


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/spencer-whaley

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Source: https://flows.cv/spencerwhaley
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/spencerwhaley/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-03-22