Jarrod Connolly

AI Research Chatbot (2024-Present) (Project, Article)

• Designed and led the development of a RAG-based AI system using Python and Qdrant to process large-scale technical documentation, advancing information retrieval.
• Enhanced retrieval accuracy with NLP-driven chunk scoring, surpassing traditional chunking methods.

Complect Compiler (2022) (Project, Article)

• Built a stream-based compiler, showcased at OpenJS World 2022, demonstrating expertise in compiler design. Creating a platform for ongoing R&D in compiler technology.

Fortis Games

Staff Software Engineer (2025 - Present)

• Contribute to developer experience enhancements as a staff engineer. My early focus includes technical guidance on streamlining processes, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and boosting team efficiencies through targeted optimizations like unified libraries and infrastructure tweaks.

Brightest Circle

Founder / Chief Technology Officer (2012 - Present)

• As Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Brightest Circle, I draw on over a decade of experience to advise stealth-mode startups on technical vision. I guide them from conception to market launch. I also direct comprehensive research and development in cutting-edge areas like compiler design, WebAssembly experimentation, and advanced AI chat tools using RAG pipelines. Recently, I launched two early-stage SaaS products in education. One is an AI-based system to teach coding to children aged 6-12. The other is an integrated tool suite for school parent advisory councils to manage daily operations, inspired by my own volunteer experience in that space. My role involves steering all technological aspects, fostering bold ideas, and driving strategic execution of impactful projects to boost innovation in the ventures I support.

Respawn Entertainment

Senior Staff Engineer (2024 - 2025)

• Strategically partner with cross-functional teams, including security and anti-cheat groups, to enhance game integrity and ensure fair play for a massive global player base. Lead initiatives in comprehensive system documentation and architectural design to establish foundational frameworks that drive clarity and alignment across engineering efforts. Shape technical approaches to critical challenges, ensuring scalable and robust solutions for high-demand online services. This role highlights my ability to provide technical oversight and strategic direction in AAA environments, reporting to senior leadership while fostering collaborative cultures.

Phoenix Labs

Principal Software Engineer (2022 - 2024)

• Spearhead the development of a new game backend. Scale its Python APIs to production readiness for millions of players. Exercise critical technical and product leadership by making key architectural decisions, evaluating and integrating critical technology components, and implementing comprehensive observability. Lead a distributed engineering team as its technical expert. Guide them toward launch readiness and provide mentorship on building resilient and scalable systems. This experience hones my ability to drive strategic technology initiatives and cultivate high-performing talent in dynamic environments.

Kabam

Senior Software Engineer II (2018 - 2022)

• Assume the role of strategic technical leader and team mentor within Central Tech. Transform it into a powerhouse by establishing clear roadmaps for shared game services that significantly enhance operational efficiency and deliver substantial cost savings. Actively mentor a high-performing engineering team and foster a culture of innovation and excellence. Grow the team from 2-3 to 8-10 members, including distributed and cross-functional contributors. Contributions include scaling a massive Node.js backend to power millions of players for a top-tier game. Lead the design and implementation of a chargeback system that saves over $100K monthly in credit card fraud. Optimize the event data pipeline to reduce end-to-end latency from 4 hours to minutes on a multi-terabyte per day ingestion system, using data-backed measurements to target improvements without data loss. Collaborate closely with finance, auditors like KPMG for compliant revenue systems, data science for ML solutions, and marketing for customer outreach tools. This role underscores ability to drive both technical advancement and team development within a dynamic gaming environment.

Radware

Lead Software Engineer (2013 - 2018)

• Spearhead the development and delivery of high-impact solutions, including Node.js APIs and React UIs, to accelerate the performance of enterprise web applications. Contributions include delivering critical features like SAML security and patented HTTP/2 acceleration. Lead a dynamic cross-functional team of 8 senior engineers across international locations. Oversee the successful shipment of the FastView product for massive clients. Travel to clarify requirements and ensure on-time releases. Play a key role in cultivating and growing agile workflows to enhance team efficiency and foster continuous delivery. This tenure showcases ability to lead technical teams, drive complex projects to completion, and implement impactful process improvements, building on post-acquisition integration from Strangeloop.

Strangeloop Networks

Senior Software Developer (2007 - 2013)

• Play a pivotal role in 0-1 product innovation. Co-build the industry's first Front-End Optimization web accelerator using C#. This groundbreaking work leads to the patenting of its mobile technology, which fundamentally transforms site speed for global brands. Responsibilities extend to scaling these innovative solutions to serve massive audiences and mentoring R&D teams. This tenure marks a strong focus on blue-sky research and development. Consistently drive industry innovation and establish new performance benchmarks. As a key patent holder, lead the engineering team through the acquisition by Radware. Remain as part of the core contingent to provide technical advice and complete the integration of technologies into their security products.

Intrawest

Senior Software Developer (2005 - 2007)

• Play a key role in modernizing the enterprise's e-commerce web experience for all ski hill properties and resorts. Build a Web 2.0 booking system using C# and ASP.NET, which becomes central to powering resort operations. Work involves integrating diverse data sources from resort providers and airline partners to enable the creation of comprehensive customer travel packages. This demonstrates ability to deliver large-scale, complex solutions within a major organizational framework.

Tarasoft

Software Developer (2000 - 2004)

• Play a pivotal, foundational role in a startup that redefines the Multiple Listing Service industry. Serve as the primary developer. Co-design and code the core of flagship Matrix product from scratch, conceptualizing it on napkins. This revolutionary, web-based MLS software emerges as the premier solution. It successfully disrupts and wins market share from long-entrenched industry leaders. Contributions prove instrumental in scaling Matrix into a massive platform. This fuels widespread adoption by real estate agents across North America. This experience teaches the invaluable lesson of wearing all hats in an emerging organization. It demonstrates that with vision and dedication, anything can be built and brought to market.