Ronald D. Kurr
Auburn, NH
(603) 706-0925
kurron@gmail.com

Summary

I'm a software engineer specializing in JVM-based microservice development with expertise in AWS and Kubernetes environments. I excel in architecting scalable and efficient solutions using JVM languages and leveraging tools from the Spring portfolio. Passionate about mentoring teams, I enjoy sharing knowledge on cloud-native concepts and introducing innovative software engineering practices to drive continuous improvement

Overstock March 2018 to December 2024
Senior Software Developer

Asset Management Pipeline

  • Designed and implemented an asset management pipeline using Java and Kotlin, deployed to Amazon ECS for a shopping site with low-latency requirements.
  • Leveraged AWS services including Lambda, SQS/SNS, DynamoDB, S3, Rekognition, CloudWatch, Elasticsearch, and Snowflake for asset analysis and processing.
  • Managed infrastructure using Terraform, enabling on-demand creation and destruction of test environments.
  • Piloted AWS CloudFormation but transitioned to Terraform for its portability across cloud platforms.

On-Premises Applications

  • Developed enterprise applications in Java using frameworks like Spring Boot, Spring Batch, Spring Data JPA, Spring Data JDBC, Spring for Apache Pulsar, and Spring Vault.
  • Deployed applications to Kubernetes, providing services with low-latency APIs and batch processing systems of loyalty transactions.
  • Utilized Oracle and PostgreSQL databases for persistence, accessed via Spring Data JPA and Spring Data JDBC, with distributed caching managed through Spring Data Redis.

API and Messaging Systems

  • Designed and maintained REST APIs for synchronous processing and JSON-based asynchronous messaging with Apache Pulsar.
  • Ensured high-quality code and deployment readiness using JUnit 5, Spring Testing Framework, Testcontainers, and Cucumber.
  • Delivered detailed testing and reconciliation reports to the financial overwatch team for deployment approval.

Key Achievements

  • Streamlined infrastructure management, reducing time-to-deployment for new environments.
  • Enhanced batch processing efficiency, improving transaction reconciliation and partner reporting.
  • Maintained consistent low-latency performance across high-demand services, directly impacting business outcomes.
Transparent Language March 2010 to March 2018
Principal Software Engineer

Cloud and Microservices Transformation

  • Architected the migration from on-premises solutions to AWS, focusing on integrating Amazon EC2 Container Service (ECS).
  • Designed and implemented JVM-based solutions using forward-thinking technologies, including Docker, MongoDB, RabbitMQ, Spring, REST APIs, and Hibernate.
  • Developed a faster, more accurate reporting system by leveraging event sourcing and Groovy, improving customer satisfaction.
  • Spearheaded the adoption of microservices architecture, requiring expertise in Docker, Consul, and Terraform.

Development Practices and Tools

  • Advocated for test-first development and implemented automated code inspection to ensure high-quality code across projects.
  • Promoted virtualization to streamline onboarding and improve development workflows, including the creation of consistent development environments.

Key Achievements

  • Facilitated a seamless cloud migration, enhancing scalability and operational efficiency.
  • Improved reporting performance and accuracy, leading to high customer satisfaction.
  • Established foundational processes for continuous delivery, accelerating time-to-market.
  • Reduced onboarding time and increased developer productivity through virtualized environments.
Sovereign Bank December 2008 to March 2010
Principal Software Engineer

In-House Banking System Development

  • Designed and implemented components of an in-house banking system using WebSphere and DB2, with a focus on EJB-based services.
  • Refactored legacy code to improve testability, resulting in more robust and maintainable services.
  • Mentored team members in unit and integration testing techniques, including the use of TestNG, Mockito, and dependency injection, fostering a culture of quality assurance.

Batch Processing Platform

  • Collaborated on an exploratory project to develop a Java-based platform for scheduling and running batch processes.
  • Built the solution using Spring, Spring Batch, Spring MVC, Quartz, Terracotta, and Hibernate, demonstrating that assembling off-the-shelf components was more cost-effective than creating a custom solution.

Key Achievements

  • Enhanced the testability and maintainability of the in-house banking system, reducing technical debt.
  • Delivered a cost-effective batch processing platform, proving the value of reusable components.
  • Improved development efficiency and code quality through innovative tooling and automation.
Telcordia February 2001 to December 2008
Principal Software Engineer

Designed and implemented the core of a scalable J2EE-based OSS package for the telecommunications industry, supporting over 60 customers, including tier-one accounts with high transaction demands. Key contributions included developing automated element discovery and provisioning features using graph theory principles and rigorous object-oriented design. Delivered high-quality WSDL-based web services using test-first design techniques and deployed the solution on BEA WebLogic and IBM WebSphere with Oracle databases, running on Solaris and HP-UX platforms.

Streamlined development processes by introducing modern tools and practices, including Spring, Log4J, CruiseControl, and JUnit, to improve team productivity and product scalability. Established an internal project website to foster collaboration and information sharing and conducted feasibility studies on emerging technologies like Terracotta, OSGi, and Gradle for potential future use. These efforts resulted in a highly efficient and widely adopted OSS solution, enhancing operational efficiency for major telecom clients.

Kana Communications February 1999 to February 2001
Senior Java Engineer

Designed and implemented the core application server for an E-Business and E-Commerce product line using EJBs, Servlets, JMS, XML, and Java Reflection APIs, with a flexible architecture compatible with BEA WebLogic and other J2EE implementations. Played a key role in porting the system to IBM WebSphere, ensuring smooth migration. Delivered a scalable, vendor-agnostic server core while fostering cross-platform compatibility and team excellence.

Cabletron 1989 to February 1999
Multiple titles including Project Leader

Summary

Utilized advanced technologies such as Java, C++, Object Design's PSE Pro, JFC, RMI, and JavaBeans to develop and enhance enterprise systems, including a Java-based network discovery tool. Designed and implemented key subsystems, including database integration with ObjectStore, event and alarm management systems, and installation processes for both on-premises and distributed environments. Built scalable, maintainable solutions by applying object-oriented design principles and test-focused development. Established the Java Resource Center on Windows NT, leveraging HTML, CGI, and ODBC/SQL to promote programming standards and knowledge sharing across teams.

Leadership and Project Management

Managed a team of six engineers, leading critical initiatives such as a database migration project and the establishment of coding standards for C++ development. Conducted system code inspections, guided object-oriented designs, and ensured high-quality deliverables through test-focused development practices. Championed internationalization efforts, creating proof-of-concept prototypes to extend product accessibility. Set up internal tools and team web servers, streamlining collaboration and boosting productivity.

General Electric: Metering Division 1987 to 1989
Software Contractor

Designed and implemented the data acquisition and installation sub-systems for an electrical metering product, ensuring efficient data processing, seamless deployment, and adherence to customer requirements. Applied object-oriented design techniques to ensure scalability and maintainability, and authored comprehensive technical documentation, including a user tutorial, to streamline onboarding and support.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Computer Electronics with a minor in Management from Keene State College, 1987