Paul Christensen

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Cell: ***-***-****
Paul@PaulChristensen.net

OBJECTIVE

A position that utilizes both my education and skills, and challenges me to grow within an organization to benefit the overal departmental objective and the company wide mission.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Summary:

  • 5 years practical C# experience
  • MBUnit and CSUnit testing frameworks
  • Rhino Mocks Interface and Class mocking framework
  • WCF
  • Programming to XML for data storage and data transport
  • Agile Programming methodoligies
  • CVS, SVN, VSS code management systems
  • ASP.NET
  • JScript and VBScript based ASP
  • Java (Blackberry and Android development)
  • VisualBasic 6 and VisualBasic.net
  • Knowledge of C++
  • HTML
  • UML
  • Over 6 years application and upgrade management; including installation, software and application upgrades, and application of fixes and patches using MSI, MSP, and InstallShield
  • Over 8 years of managerial and team lead related experience
  • Managed multiple (and often changing priorities) simultaneously
  • Self-starter who works well in a team or individual contributor roll with minimal supervision
  • Highly organized, efficient, and detail oriented with a drive to maintain a consistent approach towards goals
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Strong problem solving and analytical skills

Technical Skills:

Operating Systems/Platforms:
  • 10 years experience - MS Windows 95/98/ME; NT 4.0 Workstation/Server; Windows 2000 Professional/Server; Windows 2003 Server; Windows XP; Windows Vista
  • 10 years experience - MS Office
Database Systems:
  • MSSQL Server 2000/2005, MSDE, SQL Express
  • MySQL

EXPERIENCE

Vix Technology, On Site At UTA Offices

03/2010 - Present
Software Developer
I performed a wide range of duties on the electronic payment system team. Primarily my duties focus on supplying information regarding payment cards and accounts to mobile devices on transit vehicles allowing drivers to determine whether card payments for fare are valid. These duties include creating a Web Service that supplies this data directly to the transit vehicles. The Web Service communicates through a WCF named pipes interface, which is hosted in a Windows service to access an in memory cache of data which is periodically updated by directly querying a back end MSSQL Database, and using performance tools to troubleshoot and resolve performance bottlenecks. Other projects include scheduled services to update new location payment data to assist in route charges, and database state comparisons to verify the validity of account data. As part of my duties I have written test tools to stress services and verify data states, and unit testing. I have also been responsible for designing the automated build process and install package build procedures, and have led other developers on the team to implement automated build, installation package creation, automated unit test and smoke test execution, and deployment documentation. Using a caching mechanism I have developed an updated version of the Card Data Server to provide data to card validators on busses and trains in a timely and efficient manner. I have developed both server side and client side features of a Ride Inspection Device that utilizes a Blackberry phone and NFC scanner to inspect and validate rider payment cards on light rail and heavy rail transportation. Technologies used in the communication mechanism will also be used to increase speed and accuracy of data in real time card validation services.

FIS, Inc. Salt Lake City, UT

03/2009 - 03/2010
Senior Software Applications Programmer, Mercury Division
As an Applications Programmer with FIS, my duties primarily include working with the migration of the Mercury credit union management product from its old VisualBasic code base to C# on the .NET framework using the Rockford Lhotka Business Objects methodology. This involves not only moving existing functionality to the new environment, but redesigning classes and application structure where necessary to take advantage of .net features that were not available to VB6. Other duties include producing software fixes for bugs reported by support and customers, and enhancements to the existing codebase. Specific duties include:
  • Currently working in both .NET 2.0 and .NET 3.5
  • Implementing new database interactivity using LinqToSQL.
  • Implementing all new forms using WPF.
  • Implementing remote database calls using WCF.
  • Design and implement COM interfaces for C#/VB communication.
  • Implement logging mechanism.
  • Implement unit testing processes and tests including tests using reflection to unit test classes that contain internal methods.
  • Mentor team members in C#/.NET features and practices.
  • Implement handling for new IAT Standard Entry Class code to comply with new ACH regulations.
  • Update existing IAT file processing.

LANDesk Software - South Jordan, UT

06/2005 - 01/2009
Software Engineer Level 2
I was promoted from Test Engineer to Software Developer Level 2 at which point I joined the Install team where my main duties consisted of designing, building and maintaining product installs that were built on top of the MSI platform, enhanced with C++ and C# custom actions, and built using InstallShield 11 and 12. During my time with the install team I also had the opportunity to help design and build a C# based application that was used to walk the output files of the various solutions and projects, and group those output files, along with localized versions, in to groups to prepare for building the final product build output. The utility uses a collection of XML files with custom variables and scoping to “scrape” the project outputs. The “XML Scraper” utility, once complete, was pushed out to all engineering teams and integrated in to the development process, and is still currently in use. My most recent assignment was with the team that is currently assigned to work on the ManagementSuite console performance and security enhancements. Work with this team has included:
  • Work to implement an integrated backup utility using .Net Web Services and custom exceptions
  • Work to integrate existing Handheld device functionality with new recently acquired Handheld device functionality
  • Work on the recently released LANDesk product, Asset Lifecycle Manager which included building state map persistence in to the server side of the product which used .NET WebServices as a communication mechanism.
  • Work in preparing for ManagementSuite console updates which includes creation of WCF services using WebService communication implemented using Model View Controller concepts.
  • Work to migrate existing VisualStudio solutions from version 2005 to version 2008 including conversion of solutions and resolution of compiler warnings.
06/2003 - 06-2005
Strategic Software Test Engineer
I joined LANDesk as a contract employee, and was converted to a full time employee at the end of my six-month contract. During my time as a Test Engineer for the LDMS group within LANDesk I have had the opportunity to work on several projects including:
Certificate based security
  • Authored and executed test cases to ensure the stability and security of the feature
LDMS Install
  • Assist in the design and planning of project stories
  • Authored and executed test cases and overall installation matrix
  • Authored and helped to author VB, Perl, and C# test scripts designed to ensure proper installation file placement and registry key creation
LDMS 8.1 GA2
  • Acted as Longevity Core Admin during the LDMS 8.1 GA2 system test
  • Authored test scripts designed to exercise my assigned component
LDMS Agent Install and Remote Control
  • Assist in the design and planning of project stories
  • Authored and executed test cases
  • Joined the team developers during on site customer beta visit
In addition to these duties I have acted as core administrator during most of the system tests in which I have taken part as well as taking part in the modification of the LDSM agent configuration file in order to allow the coexistence of both LDMS and LDSM agent feature sets.

Volt Technical Resources - Redmond, WA

11/2001 - 06/2003
Software Test Engineer 2, Microsoft Small Business Server Group,
Software Test Engineer 3, Microsoft Mappoint Applications Testing Group
The Small Business Server group tests the stress and reliability of the Windows.NET and Windows 2000 Small Business Server. (Environment: VisualBasic, ASP, SQL)
  • Involved in writing test cases.
  • VBScript test automation
  • Designed and developed a test automation harness utility using VisualBasic, VBScript, and the LDAP protocol to test an Active Directory integration COM integration object.
  • Authored a test plan defining the procedures to test the Active Directory COM object.
  • Authored and carried out test cases/maintenance and updates to the test utility.
The Small Business Server Client Setup tests the client application setup. (Environment: VBScript, VisualBasic)
  • Designed and developed portions of the client setup automation utility.
  • Wrote test automation
  • Designed and Developed an ASP Web page to display results of automated stress testing.
The Mappoint Applications Testing group focuses on the quality of new and existing data and application features. (Environment: VisualBasic)
  • Involved in rewriting existing test scripts.
  • VBScript test automation
  • Automated and visual UI testing

VisionCompass Inc. - Seattle, WA

04/2000 - 09/2001
Product Support Manager, Deployment/eSupport Organization
The VisionCompass Inc. Collaborative Enterprise Management Software Solution is an Enterprise management system being created for Enterprise organizations worldwide. As the Product Support Manager I managed a team of 8 Deployment/Support Analysts and Engineers including members holding MCP and MCSE certifications.
  • Authored the Installation Guide for the Single and Multi Server installation of the software package. Authored the Acceptance and Validation procedures for new Product Releases, Service Packs, and Hot Fixes of the software package and managed the process to ensure consistent results. Developed and authored the reference configuration for the installation and support of the software.
  • Managed the software product through the rollout, support, and extension lifecycle stages. Responsible for final validation acceptance of new releases into production.
  • Provided T3 support for an international deployment of 2000 users. The servers included NT4, Exchange 5.5,and SQL 7.0. The client components were IE 5.0 & 5.5.
  • Developed a Knowledge Management awareness program and training curriculum for the Deployment and Training departments.
  • Analyze Research and Development needs to identify gaps and recommend solutions for better knowledge information transfer between the organizations to enhance the end user support system.
  • Monitor best practices in Knowledge Management and recommend and adopt appropriate solutions by establishing links to the community of professionals in Knowledge Management.
  • Setup, installed and maintained computers in a lab setting that supported live on-line hosted services, as well as beds for product development and product testing.
  • Designed, implemented and administered five test LAN's.
  • Designed and performed system backup and disaster recovery procedures.
  • Designed and created, as well as collaborated with others on a development team, to create and implement TSQL based test applications.
  • Using imaging software developed a self-installing demo system for the field team.
  • Developed training materials for the certification of Value Added Resellers, Application Service Provider Deployment teams, and internal Deployment Support Analysts.
  • Trained users in installation procedures and effective use of system resources.
  • Assisted users in finding complier and operating system bugs and resolved bugs.
  • Authored Statements of Work for product management utilities and technical and cosmetic product enhancements based on experience with managing the installation of the software.
  • Responsible for installation and design of the marketing collateral demos of the software.
  • Interacted with computer vendors for hardware and software and software maintenance and purchasing needs.
  • Test experience including: writing test cases, testing applications, black box/white box testing, troubleshooting XML, test plan execution and coordination, and stress tests.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

  • University of Phoenix, BSIT, Graduated with Honors 06/2008
  • NetDesk, MCSD and MCDBA Training, 07/2000 - 01/2001
  • Certified Careers Institute, Microsoft Certified Network Systems Engineer Program, 02/1998 - 10/1998
  • LDS Business College, Basic Computing, Novell Netware 07/1997 - 12/1997

Additional Courses:

  • LANDesk Certified Administrator, 2008
  • Volt Technical Training, application and Internet security testing, ASP.NET