Scott Johnson

Contact Information

Scott Johnson
jaywir3@gmail.com
https://www.jwir3.com
https://www.github.com/jwir3
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwir3
+1 701 741-9338

Summary

Highly accomplished Principal Graphics Engineer with over 15 years of experience specializing in designing, building, and optimizing performance-critical, real-time rendering systems for high-fidelity interactive experiences. Proven expert in low-level graphics architecture, driving extreme CPU/GPU optimization, and developing advanced 3D graphics and modeling algorithms. Passionate about crafting ground-breaking AAA quality animations that deliver impactful narrative and foster emotional connections, with a strong focus on C++ engineering, 3D math, and collaborative problem-solving.

Core Competencies

• Animation & Narrative Realization: Architecting and implementing AAA quality gameplay and AI animations, Seamless narrative integration into gameplay, Enhancing emotional impact through animation, Cinematic & Narrative Presentation tools & workflows, Maximizing character asset potential
• Engine Development: Real-Time Rendering Pipelines, GPU-Driven Rendering, Low-Level Graphics APIs (Vulkan, OpenGL, WebGL, DirectX), 3D Math & Graphics Algorithms (Bézier Curves/NURBS familiarity), Shepherding animation from DCC to final pixels
• Languages & Core Skills: C++14/17 (production quality), Rust, Python, GoLang, TypeScript, JavaScript/Node.js, GLSL (Familiarity with HLSL/PSSL), Strong Math Skills
• System Design & Optimization: Data Structures & Algorithms, Performance Optimization, Scalability, Owning features and systems, Analyzing technical tradeoffs
• Leadership & Collaboration: Technical Mentorship, Agile Methodologies, End-to-End Project Ownership, International & Distributed Team Collaboration, Breaking down features & building plans, Communicating technical details to diverse audiences, Leading by example, collaboration, and mentorship.

Work Experience

Remote

Capture Software Engineer at Chromatic Mar 2023 - Present

• Architected and developed distributed, fault-tolerant backend services within a large-scale Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), applying principles of scalability and performance critical for real-time systems.
• Maintained and improved capture infrastructure using Docker, Heroku, and AWS, with RabbitMQ for queuing/message-passing.
• Applied browser and rendering expertise to improve image differencing algorithms, increasing accuracy and reliability.

Founder/CEO at FoamFactory Jan 2021 - Mar 2023

• Led the full-stack development and architectural design of a SaaS platform, demonstrating versatile backend engineering capabilities and foundational architectural design.
• Architected a scalable, high-availability microservice backend leveraging Rust.

Principal Engineer at Medal Dec 2019 - Jan 2021

• Contributed to core architecture and performance enhancements for a large-scale gaming social platform, ensuring optimal user experience for millions of players.
• Engineered a secure, high-performance, hardware-accelerated video capture system, demonstrating expertise in low-level system optimization and direct impact on a large user base within the gaming community.
• Collaborated daily with cross-functional, globally distributed engineering teams to enhance software architecture and integrate third-party services, boosting system efficiency and performance.
• Mentored other engineers on the team, supporting the continuous improvement of the engineering organization.

Lead Graphics Engineer at InVision App Dec 2016 - Dec 2019

• Led the architecture and development of a high-performance, real-time rendering platform, demonstrating expertise in low-level GPU optimization and leading cross-functional teams in complex system design.
• Utilized WebGL, haXe, and Typescript for efficient GPU-based rendering of complex vector graphics.
• Designed and implemented a highly optimized, GPU-based rendering system for complex vector graphics, directly programming shaders in GLSL to achieve peak visual quality and frame rates, addressing demanding performance and memory constraints.
• Prototyped WebAssembly-based rendering engines, exploring Rust and Skia for future improvements.

Minneapolis, MN

Mobile Engineering Lead at When I Work Sep 2014 - Dec 2016

• Led team to innovate Android app solutions, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.
• Led a team of 3 developers in an Agile environment, improving project delivery times and application quality through rigorous code reviews, CI/CD, and mentorship.

Edina, MN

Android Engineering Lead at Jingit Nov 2013 - Sep 2014

• Led cross-functional teams in developing an Android app for retail rewards, enhancing app features, as well as driving substantial engagement and user satisfaction.
• Boosted team productivity by 10% weekly through agile processes and coding standards.

Remote

Platform Engineer, Layout at Mozilla Jun 2011 - Oct 2013

• Engineered and maintained performance-critical, low-level rendering systems within the Gecko engine using C++, optimizing core components for a platform supporting hundreds of millions of users, directly addressing CPU/GPU efficiency and adherence to detailed technical specifications.
• Significantly optimized rendering pipelines for high-performance web-based gaming applications, leveraging WebGL and DirectX to achieve extreme performance gains and cross-platform stability, demonstrating ability to ‘wring the last drop of performance out of any CPU or GPU’.
• Architected and implemented core rendering systems compliant with W3C standards, focusing on stability, extensibility, and cross-platform performance.
• Developed complex C++ rendering features, with an acute focus on low-level performance optimization and adherence to stringent technical specifications, contributing to a robust graphics architecture.
• Contributed to W3C specs such as CSSOM and WebGL, driving standards in web technologies.

Education

University of Minnesota

Master of Science, Computer Science 2006-2009

From 2006-2009, was in a PhD program in Computer Science with research focuses in computational geometry and photorealistic rendering in computer graphics. Earned a Master of Science degree in 2009, graduated summa cum laude.

University of North Dakota

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science 2001-2006

Completed a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with focused study in software engineering and computer graphics. Graduated summa cum laude.

Bachelor of Science 2001-2006

Completed a separate Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with focused study in statistical theory, number theory, and combinatorics. Graduated summa cum laude.

Awards and Recognitions

• Top Secret Clearance (Currently Inactive); United States Department of Defense, 2009-2011
• Google Summer of Code Mentor; Crystal Space 3D SDK, Summer 2008, Summer 2009
• Google Summer of Code Grant Recipient; Crystal Space 3D SDK, Summer 2007
• Inducted Lifetime Member, Phi Beta Kappa, Honor Society in Liberal Scholorship, 2006
• Inducted Lifetime Member, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, Computer Science Honor Society, 2004

Skills

• Languages: C++14/17, Rust, Java, Python, Ruby, Go, Javascript/TypeScript
• Graphics APIs: OpenGL, WebGL, DirectX, Vulkan, CUDA, Shader Languages (GLSL, Familiar with HLSL/PSSL)
• Game Engine Concepts: Experience transferable to Unreal Engine concepts (e.g., state machines, blend spaces, animation graphs due to extensive graphics engine work)
• Math: Strong 3D Math Skills, Computational Geometry
• Frameworks & Libraries: Ruby on Rails, React, Node.js, WebSockets, Electron
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, Microsoft SQL Server, Hibernate
• Cloud & DevOps: RabbitMQ, AWS, Docker, Terraform, CircleCI, Jenkins, Github Actions
• Platforms & Systems: Linux, Mac OS/X, Windows