{"hero":{"name":"Olaf Zumpe","title":"Senior / Principal Backend Engineer | Distributed Systems & Data Platforms","location":"Plano, TX","objective":"Staff-level backend engineer with over two decades of experience designing high-throughput, fault-tolerant distributed systems across finance, cryptographic data verification, and telecommunications. \nProven track record modernizing mission-critical architectures, scaling data pipelines, and optimizing developer tooling using Python, Ray, DuckDB, Apache Spark, and PySpark. Combines deep distributed systems architecture with hands-on systems programming in cloud-native and Kubernetes environments."},"summary":["Versatile experience designing and implementing high-performance and real-time applications across telecommunications, automotive, and commercial web.","In-depth knowledge of database engineering and database application development — 15+ years.","Extensive experience with communications, networking, and multi-tier architectures in varied operating environments.","Versatile experience designing re-entrant multitasking and high-concurrency applications, both blocking and non-blocking.","In-depth knowledge of OOA and OOD, and UML modeling.","Strong analytical and mathematical background applied across many successful projects.","Experience with cryptography and blockchain applications.","Naturalized American citizen, originally from Germany, with legal permission to work in the U.S."],"skills":{"languages":["Java","Python","Groovy","C/C++","JavaScript","TypeScript","Objective-C","SQL","PL/SQL","JSON","XML","YML"],"databases":["Oracle","DuckDB","Cassandra","PostgreSQL","MySQL","CouchDB"],"frameworks":["FastAPI","Ray","Micronaut","Grails","Spring","Spring Boot","Apache Spark","PySpark","PyTorch","Vue 3","Akka","Kafka","Transformers","MS Bot Framework","Java EE","Hibernate","JDBC"],"protocols":["TCP/IP","TLS","HTTP","REST","GraphQL","Telecommunications Protocols (In-depth SMS)"],"tools":["Docker","Kubernetes","AWS","git","CI/CD","Tomcat","Undertow","JBoss","Maven","Memcached","Jira","Confluence","Bitbucket (Administration)","IntelliJ","MS Visual Studio","Teams Toolkit","Wireshark","UML tools","LLM","Agent Tooling"],"platforms":["UNIX/Linux (Debian, CentOS, Ubuntu)","Windows","Nucleus RTOS","Android","iOS"],"domains":["E-Commerce","Logistics & Digital Twinning","Security Protocols","Cryptography","Blockchain","Mobile Security","Internet/Mobile Media","Telecommunications","Consulting"],"other":["Leadership","Team Management"],"spokenLanguages":["German (native)","English (fluent)"]},"jobs":[{"company":"JP Morgan & Chase","role":"Software Engineer III","location":"Plano, TX","dates":"12/2023 – Present","highlights":["Designed a framework for Java Spark that builds regulatory reports one attribute column at a time, so an attribute is implemented once and reusable by every report that needs it. Cut report development time substantially across multiple teams and improved report consistency.","Built MDL-Testkit, a framework that enables local Spark testing with full Hadoop and Hive functionality on locked-down Windows workstations where developers cannot simply download and install Hadoop binaries.","MDL-Testkit also provides a custom Derby adapter for the Hive metastore, so existing test suites that already run on embedded Derby need no second database.","Extended MDL-Testkit from Java Spark to PySpark by automating the setup of the JVM that runs the underlying Java Spark instance and initializing the session in Python with necessary parameters. The PySpark version of MDL-Testkit is a pip-installable Python wheel.","Migrated the generation of a set of mission-critical reports from Java Spark to PySpark to improve maintainability and developer velocity."],"skills":["Python","PySpark","Java","Apache Spark","Oracle","PL/SQL","Kubernetes"]},{"company":"Veriscape","role":"Senior Software Engineer","location":"Albuquerque, NM (remote)","dates":"01/2023 – 11/2023","highlights":["Led the backend design and implementation of enterprise collaborative tools integrated into existing core business services using Microsoft Bot Framework.","Orchestrated containerization workflows and transitioned legacy service deployment pipelines to Kubernetes on AWS.","Engineered distributed data processing components for an enterprise Supply Chain Management platform."],"skills":["Java","Kubernetes","Docker","AWS","CouchDB","REST","MS Bot Framework"]},{"company":"Coveritas","role":"Principal Software Engineer","location":"Los Altos, CA (remote)","dates":"07/2021 – 09/2022","highlights":["Developed a system of automated agents — active digital twins — for tracking real-world objects and proving or disproving a hypothesis.","Extracted information for these agents from disparate sources, often using NLP, to trigger state changes in the twins.","Applied the system to smart buildings and cities, threat assessment, and supply chain simulation.","Simulated recovery options during disruptions, finding alternate routes or sources that meet delivery timelines within a defined cost range.","Designed and implemented the agents and the information pipelines feeding them.","Studied NLP through online courses from Stanford University."],"skills":["Python","PyTorch","Transformers","Java","Akka","PostgreSQL","AWS","Docker"]},{"company":"Cryptowerk","role":"Software Architect","location":"San Mateo, CA (hybrid, later remote)","dates":"08/2017 – 07/2021","highlights":["Developed and implemented the concept of gapless sealing — a technology that proves a stream of sealed data is complete and has not been partially deleted or otherwise manipulated.","Solely developed SealLake from concept to product: a distributed platform that proves the authenticity of any kind of data and applies gapless sealing to connect different versions of uploaded content while handling about a million records per minute in its most basic - horizontally scalable - configuration.","Extended gapless sealing to data streams, e.g., tracking IoT sensor signals to prove the cooling chain of sensitive medications was never interrupted in transit; verified by TÜV Nord to support monitoring of brake and rim test processes for cars.","Supported forked streams with gapless sealing to verify product authenticity down to each individual box delivered within a batch and sold separately.","Developed SealWitness: collects hashes of data, registers a bundle of hashes with one or more blockchains, and distributes seals so that data is independently verifiable on those blockchains.","Developed and obtained a provisional patent for using blockchains to maintain the integrity of elections — political or within organizations — letting each voter verify that the outcome reflects their vote and keeping the outcome publicly verifiable for years, while preserving voter anonymity."],"skills":["Java","Apache Spark","Kafka","Undertow","Cassandra","PostgreSQL","C++","Python","Docker","REST","SaaS","Distributed Systems","Smart Contracts","Microservices","CI/CD"]},{"company":"STRATIM","role":"Senior Software Engineer","location":"San Francisco, CA (on-site, later hybrid)","dates":"08/2016 – 08/2017","highlights":["Implemented automobile fleet management software.","Developed automated invoicing: calculating costs for drivers, car maintenance, and fueling, and issuing customer invoices.","Collected data on the maintenance and fueling status of cars across a fleet.","Developed data analytics and visualizations for management and stakeholders."],"skills":["Java","Tomcat","PostgreSQL","AWS","REST","Vue.js","Python"]},{"company":"AppCentral Inc. / Good Technology / BlackBerry","role":"Senior Software Engineer and Engineering Manager","location":"San Francisco & Sunnyvale, CA","dates":"01/2011 – 08/2016","highlights":["Designed and implemented the AppCentral application server, a MAM system that wraps mobile apps in a secure container so app data is stored encrypted on the device.","Built policy enforcement to restrict internet access, copy/paste, and screenshots.","Handled app upload, wrapping, distribution, and management, along with management of users, devices, and policies.","Implemented upload, parsing, and the wrapping process for mobile apps, including verifying that signing certificates match an app's embedded mobile profile.","Extracted and un-crushed icons for iOS and Android apps using in-house Java tooling rather than the Apple tool chain.","Implemented download of mobile apps and content — with keep-alive for videos — to mobile devices, with authentication and expiring download URLs.","Integrated AppCentral into the platform of the acquiring company, Good Dynamics."],"skills":["Java","Groovy","Grails","Objective-C","Hibernate","Spring","Tomcat","MySQL","Memcached","REST","CI/CD","Jira","Confluence"]},{"company":"SendMe Mobile Inc.","role":"Senior Software Engineer","location":"San Francisco, CA","dates":"08/2007 – 11/2010","highlights":["Designed and implemented a message processor — middleware routing and handling SMS traffic, e.g. to order products or bid in an auction.","Developed tooling for content management, customer service, and accounting.","Designed and implemented a CMS with Groovy and Grails.","Implemented new functionality in application servers (Resin, JBoss, and PHP).","Analyzed and fixed bugs across every environment SendMe runs, from app servers to internal tools."],"skills":["Groovy","Grails","J2EE","Hibernate","Resin","PostgreSQL","MySQL","Maven","Ant","Linux","Jira"]},{"company":"Jamster","role":"Senior Software Developer and Project Leader","location":"Berlin, Germany","dates":"01/2001 – 07/2007","highlights":["Redesigned all SMS services for Jamster, covering mobile content ordering, billing exchange with mobile networks, and content delivery to phones (e.g. WAP Push).","Designed and developed an SMS gateway — a concentrator node that conserves SMSC connections.","Developed applications handling inbound and outbound SMS: inbound messages initiate order processes, outbound messages deliver text and binary products such as pictures, ring tones, WAP Push, and handset setup messages."],"skills":["Java","J2EE","C/C++","Oracle","Oracle SQL/PL-SQL","RMI","Hibernate","Spring","Maven","UML","Linux","Jira","HTTP","WAP","TCP/IP","GSM","SMPP","UCP","CIMD2","XML"]},{"company":"S.E.S.A Berlin","role":"Consultant, Team Leader","location":"Berlin, Germany (consultancy based in Frankfurt)","dates":"06/2000 – 01/2001","highlights":["Developed a WAP gateway for Linux and Windows.","Led development of a WMLScript compiler.","Led development of the WAP stack using SMS as a bearer."],"skills":["C/C++","TCP/IP","WAP","GSM","Visual C++","Windows","Linux","Nucleus","Keil Compiler"]},{"company":"Siemens, Department for GSM Charging","role":"Software Engineer","location":"Berlin, Germany","dates":"05/1999 – 05/2000","highlights":["Developed the Siemens charging system in GSM switches.","Redesigned and implemented configuration of carrier-specific payment information."],"skills":["C++","Chill","MS Visual C++","GSM","ASN.1","EWSD (Siemens ISDN/GSM switch)"]},{"company":"Siemens, Access Networks","role":"Software Engineer","location":"Greifswald, Germany","dates":"10/1996 – 04/1999","highlights":["Developed the Siemens DECTlink system, providing mobile access to ISDN networks via the DECT protocol.","Connected enterprise desk phones and DECT handsets to a telecommunication switch — the last mile without cable.","Implemented the connection handover state engine in the MAC layer of the RNTI.","Developed the SISA DECT module for system devices including the RBSI (Radio Base Station for ISDN) and RNTI (Radio Network Termination for ISDN)."],"skills":["C","Real-time programming","Keil Compiler","DECT","ISDN","QD2"]},{"company":"German Navy, Marine Headquarters","role":"Information Management (Military Service)","location":"Glücksburg, Germany","dates":"10/1995 – 07/1996","highlights":["Developed the concept for an IT network for the Marine Headquarters.","Provided IT service and support."],"skills":["Networking","IT Infrastructure"]}],"education":[{"institution":"University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz (FH)","degree":"Diploma in Computer Science (comparable with MSCS)","dates":"08/1993 – 03/1995","details":["Diploma thesis: a client-server system for setting up industrial facilities producing diesel injection control units for Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart. The Windows client was written in C; the server was built in C with embedded dynamic SQL for several UNIX platforms (Tandem, DEC, HP)."]},{"institution":"University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz (FH)","degree":"Engineer for Technical Informatics","dates":"09/1990 – 07/1993","details":[]}],"projects":[{"name":"Omnibase/Omnitrack","description":"Architected a self-improving, autonomous server framework utilizing Python, Ray, and LLMs. Integrated DuckDB for low-latency analytical queries."}]}