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Zak Lyons

Senior Software Engineer

Experience

The same work history as the résumé, given more room to breathe.

Current

Founder / Builder - Kaelbot.com

  • Solo full-stack ownership: Django/Python backend, React/TypeScript frontend, PostgreSQL with pgvector for semantic memory, Celery for background jobs, Redis, and Docker.
  • Implemented LLM tool-calling orchestration against 25+ structured tools the agent invokes itself (lead creation, resume tailoring, cover-letter generation, dossier synthesis, artifact storage, preference clustering).
  • Architected per-user persistent memory and preference learning so the agent retains durable facts across sessions, supersedes corrected memories, and adjusts from user feedback.
  • Built autonomous web-research investigations: the agent generates its own search queries from user context, executes them on a schedule, and synthesizes results into ranked Leads with fit scores.
  • Shipped a tailored-resume and cover-letter generator that re-emphasizes existing user material without inventing experience, with factual integrity enforced at the prompt layer.
  • Designed Gmail OAuth integration and an outbound drafting pipeline; autonomous send is pending Google verification review.
  • Heavy use of AI-assisted development workflows to move solo at the pace of a small team.

Experience

Software Engineering Consultant (Contract) - Incora (Wesco Aircraft Hardware Corp.)

  • Modernized React-based frontend applications for critical chemical management programs, improving legacy tcmIS workflows used across supply-chain and warehouse operations.
  • Built and updated UI workflows that bridged newer tcmIS 2.0 functionality into the legacy tcmIS Classic experience, reducing the need for users to move between separate applications.
  • Collaborated with Program Management to define requirements, diagnose root causes using transactional data, design solutions involving tcmIS code changes, and track execution.
  • Supported receiving and warehouse QA workflows spanning Receiving Status/QVR, Catalog Part Verification, Implementation Builder, and Invoice Builder, including browser, SSO, tab, and scrolling integration issues.

Senior Full Stack Developer - EBPI Institute (Jaspr Health)

  • Architected a guided telehealth product in Django and React, deployed across multiple hospital systems.
  • Built and shipped as one of two engineers on a regulated, Epic-integrated crisis intervention platform deployed in active ER settings.
  • Overhauled multi-tenant auth/authz architecture to enable white-label deployments for client organizations.
  • Built peer management dashboard and collaborative tooling for distributed clinical staff.
  • Built real-time Slack/SMS alert system enabling rapid clinical response to patient distress signals.
  • Platform adopted by NY Mercy hospital network; Baylor Scott & White and additional hospital systems were in active acquisition before product sunset.
  • Mentored junior developers and ran post-mortems that improved delivery cadence.

Full Stack Developer - Take Command Health

  • Built first-to-market ICHRA compliance platform from scratch on Django under federal regulatory deadlines; launched on schedule.
  • Shipped self-guided ICHRA sign-up flow through rapid product pivots and legal uncertainty.
  • Delivered React admin dashboards for real-time enrollment, claims, and compliance visibility.
  • Shipped "Rosie," an OCR-powered automation bot that transformed claims intake and drove major support-efficiency ROI.
  • Built internal tools platform from zero, replacing spreadsheet workflows and saving ops staff hours daily.
  • Internal tooling supported company scale from 9 to 120 employees (13x headcount growth).

Python/Django Developer - Ontrak Health

  • Integrated React Native mobile app with Django backend during a complex post-acquisition system merge.
  • Owned support and feature work for existing clients while paying down dual-codebase technical debt.
  • Acted as direct stakeholder liaison aligning engineering with evolving business requirements.

Full Stack Developer - Real Geeks (Fidelity National Financial)

  • Led Python 2 to 3 and Django 1.10 to 3.2 modernization of a platform serving thousands of agents with zero downtime.
  • Established engineering standards and scaled agile processes across distributed teams.
  • Drove developer culture via lunch-and-learns, shared tooling, and structured planning.

Co-Founder / Lead Developer - CenTex Paranormal

  • Built a TypeScript web app for real-time sensor data visualization with interactive charting and data management.
  • Co-founded and bootstrapped a niche electronics company end-to-end: designed, built, manufactured, and sold the EDI/EDI+ instrument line.
  • Ran sales, marketing, fulfillment, support, and inventory solo.

Additional Experience

Co-Owner / E-commerce Operations - Swan Trading Company

  • Co-own and operate a long-running multi-channel used-book business across Amazon, AbeBooks, Biblio, and other online marketplaces.
  • Manage sourcing, cataloging, pricing, inventory, order fulfillment, returns, customer service, and marketplace quality for a catalog of 5,000+ active listings.
  • Maintain structured inventory and sales workflows focused on listing accuracy, fast fulfillment, shipping efficiency, and margin.

Full résumé (including summary, skills, and education): /resume