Phillip Smith, Leader and Software Engineer

After graduating from high school, I embarked on a transformative journey that took me to unexpected places. My service in northern Iraq was a profound experience that shaped my perspective on life and instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and adaptability.

Upon returning home, I explored various career paths before discovering my passion for technology. I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Florida, specializing in software engineering. This foundation in computer science provided a solid base for my future career.

I began my professional journey as a full-stack software engineer and quickly realized that being a successful software engineer requires more than just writing code! My training and experience as a leader and soldier prepared me well for the challenging, fast-paced roles I stepped into. I leveraged my skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving to thrive in the face of ever shifting targets with ambiguous requirements.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working in a wide range of team and organizational structures, from small startups with just two people to large organizations with over 300 team members. This diverse experience has equipped me with adaptability, flexibility, and a unique understanding of how to leverage my skills to have an impact in different environments.

As a seasoned engineer, I have expertise in both full-stack and frontend development, with a proven track record of owning products from initial concept to feature maintenance. Most recently, I have served as a frontend team lead, collaborating with high-performing product, design, and engineering teams to deliver exceptional user experiences to our customers. My technical expertise and leadership skills have enabled me to drive projects forward and mentor team members to achieve their full potential.