W. Craig Trader

Software Engineer | Technology Generalist | Solutions Architect
Sterling, VA | 703.598.6506 | craig@trader.name | LinkedIn

Professional Summary

Accomplished software engineer and technology generalist with over 40 years of experience architecting, developing, and deploying robust software solutions across commercial, government, and security domains. Deep expertise in full-stack development, cloud platforms, DevOps, distributed systems, and cybersecurity. Recognized for technical leadership, mentoring, and a pragmatic approach to solving complex engineering challenges using modern and legacy technologies.

Core Competencies

• Software Architecture & System Design 

• Full-Stack Development (Python, Java, .NET/C#, C/C++, JavaScript, Groovy) 

• Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure) 

• DevOps & CI/CD (Jenkins, Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, Terraform) 

• Database Engineering (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, CosmosDB, OrientDB, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle) 

• Distributed Systems & Virtualization 

• Cybersecurity Applications 

• Agile Methodologies & Team Leadership 

• Technical Mentoring & Knowledge Transfer 

Technical Skills

Professional Experience

Miovision (GTT), Remote
Senior Software Developer
Dec 2022 – May 2024

• Developed and maintained intelligent traffic system software using Python, Visual C++, Node.js, and AWS. 

• Led debugging of complex network communications and managed Agile workflows with Jira and Confluence. 

NextGen Healthcare, Remote
Senior Staff Engineer
Jul 2022 – Aug 2022

• Contributed to healthcare software solutions with a focus on reliability and scalability. 

Capital Sciences, Herndon, VA
Senior Software Engineer
Mar 2020 – May 2022

• Delivered advanced software solutions for scientific and technical applications. 

iDefense (Accenture Security/Verisign), Reston & Rosslyn, VA
Senior Engineer / DevOps Engineer
Sep 2014 – Feb 2020

• Designed and managed graph database schemas for IntelGraph. 

• Developed web applications (Java, Groovy, Spring Boot, OrientDB). 

• Deployed applications using OpenStack, AWS, Docker, Ansible, Terraform. 

• Mentored junior engineers and maintained legacy Java systems. 

Sterling Computers (for Northrop Grumman), Chantilly, VA
Senior Software Engineer
Nov 2012 – Sep 2014

• Developed workflow and document exploitation applications using JBOSS, JBPM, OpenAMQ, and graph databases. 

Novel Applications of Vital Information (for General Dynamics-AIS), McLean, VA
Senior Software Engineer
Jun 2011 – Nov 2012

• Built distributed malware analysis platforms using Python, Java, and PHP. 

• Developed virtualization environments for secure software deployment. 

Professional Experience (continued)

Mercury Federal Systems, Reston, VA
Senior Staff Engineer
May 2009 – May 2010

• Developed Linux device drivers and testing frameworks for open-source component infrastructure. 

Sphere of Influence, Vienna, VA
Senior Infrastructure Architect / Senior Software Engineer
Oct 2006 – May 2009

• Led virtualization and software development projects for government and commercial clients. 

• Developed multimedia and distributed accounting applications. 

Akonizo, Sterling, VA
Web Technology Consultant
Jul 2006 – Present

• Designed and deployed websites for artists and entertainment groups using WordPress, PHP, Python, MySQL, AWS, and VMware. 

Lockheed Martin IS&GS, Gaithersburg, MD
Lead Tools Engineer / Infrastructure Architect / Software Architect
Nov 2001 – Oct 2006

• Led tool development for Model-Driven Architectures and Agile processes on large-scale defense projects. 

• Designed cross-team development and testing infrastructures. 

ScoreBoard, Inc., Herndon, VA
OpenNMS Fellow / Software Architect
Nov 2000 – May 2001

• Developed extensions for OpenNMS and re-engineered corporate extranet. 

Vitel, Inc., Chantilly, VA
Software Architect
Jul 1999 – Nov 2000

• Architected SCADA systems for real-time control and data acquisition. 

MITRE Corporation, Reston, VA
Senior Networking & Distributed Systems Engineer
May 1997 – Jul 1999

• Analyzed and recommended emerging technologies for government and defense applications. 

Professional Experience (continued)

Kaizen Works, Reston, VA
Senior Software Engineer / Web Database Specialist
Mar 1996 – Apr 1997

• Designed and implemented object-oriented, web-based multimedia databases. 

Datatel, Inc., Fairfax, VA
Analyst-Programmer / Tools & Technology Specialist
Mar 1992 – Feb 1996

• Developed and maintained enterprise software solutions for higher education. 

Volunteering

FIRST Chesapeake Robotics
Judge, Scorekeeper, Lead Scorekeeper, District Lead Scorekeeper
Jan 2011 – Present

Nova Labs Makerspace
Full Member
Jan 2012 – Mar 2022

References

Available upon request