Leif Kjos

About

Headshot of Leif Kjos

Hi, I'm Leif.

I love working with technology companies to bring products to market. During my time at HaptX, I was involved in all aspects of the business: design, testing, customer support, finance and recruiting. I learned to prioritize having solid processes that lead to long term successit is possible to invest in process without sacrificing short term deliverables.

I also consult for small-medium businesses, helping them make the right data-driven decisions. My clients are interested in using technology to scale their business, ensuring quality with repeatable processes, and focusing their effort on the highest impact problem. With 9 years of experience in startup operations, a passion for data, and the technical know-how to implement solutions, I can help you bring your business to the next level.

I also love big wall climbing, cycling, reading, and skate skiing.

Skills

Here's a few of the technologies and methodologies I'm most familiar with:

Languages

Python, JavaScript, C++, HTML/CSS, Git, Bash

Frameworks

Django, React, Flask, MUI, Bootstrap, Wx

Databases

SQL, Postgres, NoSQL, ElasticSearch

Visualization

Tableau, PowerBI

Testing & CI

PyTest, Jest, Jenkins, UnitTest, Docker

Paradigms & APIs

OOP, MVC, TDD, GraphQL, OAuth2.0

Project Management

PMP-trained, Agile, SCRUM

Product Management

Survey Design, A-B Testing, JIRA

Resume

Professional Experience

Full Stack Django Engineer

September 2023 - November 2024

WisdomTree Inc. - Remote (EST)

  • Backend engineer on the WisdomTree Prime App, a Stellar Blockchain-backed banking and investment app
  • Built system for resolving failed ACH, Card, and Stellar money movement
  • Significantly decreased app load time by optimizing queries on several views
  • Developed asset accruals payment and settlement backend to calculate payments due to customers holding money market funds
  • Integrated transaction with third-party compliance software and Zendesk
  • Built ACH Return flows – e.g. what happens when a check bounces

Sr. Software Engineer

June 2022 - September 2023

Connectwise LLC. - Remote

  • Full-stack engineer on Connectwise SIEM with a backend focus
  • Improved ReactJS app refresh time by 60% by optimizing hot reload of components
  • Optimized backend views by optimizing SQL queries
  • Reduced CI/CD build time by 75%, improved test suite usability, and set up Jenkins CI/CD server
  • Wrote Django app to share security content and built in-app notifications system.
  • Decoupled microservices which were directly accessing Django db by creating high-performance API
  • Automated deploys to ECS and EBS in CI/CD pipeline
  • Upgraded major Django and Python versions of legacy serve.
  • Implemented first module of our SIEM port to the new Asio platform (React)

Strategy and Data Science Consultant

July 2020 - June 2022

Remote West Coast

  • Created custom ERP system that combines data from payroll, CRM, quoting tool, time tracking, phone system, and QuickBooks to provide real-time business intelligence, and KPIs
  • Analyzed and created reports for job profitability and employee performance, identified where to focus marketing and sales resources and reworked price model
  • Automated multiple manual roles including bookkeeping, payroll, and dispatch, cutting administrative payroll costs by over 35% and reduced accounting and dispatch errors to near zero

Director of Technical Operations

June 2017 - May 2021

HaptX Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Managed cross-functional team of Software, Mechanical, Firmware engineers, Customer Service & Administrative Staff
  • Worked with leadership team to set engineering development goals and product requirements based on the voice of the customer
  • Managed customer software and hardware development projects, including project to integrate TC3Sim with VR and Haptics, Nissan Leaf Integration, and Tactile Telerobot
  • Programmed automatic customer data analytics collection system, to securely collect and process usage data from customer SDK installs, using Python, Wx, and Django Rest Framework
  • Created customer support program from scratch, including hiring team of 7, setting up JIRA ticketing system, and documenting support process
  • Worked with engineering managers to recruit, onboard, and organize team of 40 FTE engineers
  • Ensured company compliance with government contracting requirements. Created documentation and employee training program

Manager of Engineering

2015 - 2017

HaptX Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Opened remote engineering office in SLO, hired part-time and full-time staff (7 direct reports)
  • Planned, managed, and executed projects, including powered leg exoskeleton prototype
  • Modeled, designed, and fabricated early and exoskeleton prototypes

Mechanical Design Engineer

2013 - 2015

HaptX Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Designed, built, and tested research prototypes
  • Assisted writing technical specification for early patents
  • Created CAD models and design visualizations

Education

BS Mechanical Engineering

2009 - 2013

Santa Clara University, CA

Services

Get help selecting and implementing the right software for your business, building integrations between existing systems, or developing a custom solution that precisely meets your needs. I'll work with you and help you find the right approach for your needs, timeline, and budget.

Develop

Build out a custom enterprise resource management system that meets your business needs.

Integrate

Connect existing applications and data sources to minimize errors and costs.

Analyze

Model your business and customers to predict growth and describe your customers with grouping analysis.

Visualize

Create actionable dashboards and real-time charts of KPIs.

Secure

Protect your customer and employee data with a security audit, training, and policy refresh.

Scale Up

Expand your business, enter new verticals, or launch a new product.