I’ve shipped software natively on nearly every major platform: Android, BSD, iOS, Linux, macOS, tvOS and Windows. And a little bit of web development.

Over the years, I’ve used C, C++, C#, Objective-C, HTML, Java, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, Swift, and Unrealscript to achieve various goals.

No matter the programming language, platform or problem domain, there is always a problem I am excited to solve.

Early Career (2001 – 2007)

While still in college, I got bored with writing trivial code and wanted to solve real problems. Unexpectedly, the first program I released (under the GPL) had tens of thousands of downloads worldwide.

I continued maintaining it for years, while starting several other open source projects. A couple of projects I tried to monetize, but couldn’t afford to keep the servers on. I even did a couple of years' stint doing several Unreal Tournament video game mods (gameplay modding and level design).

One of my open source projects had a full page written about it in Linux Format (UK) magazine. Overseas recognition felt amazing, but I still worked mostly for free.

Corporate Software (2007 – 2026)

My first job at a software company was as a Tester at a video gaming behemoth. Fun times, and I got to work on my favourite game franchise.

Next, I worked as a Tester and then Software Engineer in digital training for the aerospace and defence industry. We mostly did 3D virtual training for aircraft mechanics and equipment operators. Our repeat clients included the Canadian DND, several branches of the USA’s DOD, and even Lockheed Martin’s F35 and F22 projects.

Then I became a Senior Developer working on corporate document distribution. I was the Android guy. Not the most exciting domain, but with the collective talent there, we could have built anything.

I worked a few years as a Senior Mobile Developer on workforce management software for utility workers. Developing for the Android, iOS and Windows client, with a tiny bit of server-side. I burned out during the pandemic.

Very shortly after, I signed on as a Staff Engineer at a security-first, high-performance Remote Desktop company. It was very popular in the Media and Entertainment industry. I helped build the macOS Server, and later maintained the Linux, macOS and Windows Client and server. A fortune 100 company bought us out, and years later decided to discontinue the product.

After witnessing it happen to hundreds of others, this was my first time getting laid off in 18 years. It was my turn.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends (2008 – Present, Intermittent)

I started my first macOS program to learn Objective-C, originally to prepare myself for iOS development as soon as the iOS App Store launched.

Later, the macOS App Store launched, and I released my first macOS App Store application in 2010. It made five figures in a few short months. I began making several other App Store apps, because I had many problems to solve. Some, I maintained for years. I also did an iOS side project with former colleagues.

When the Apple TV 4 launched, the first Apple TV with the App Store, I had an app in the store on day one. I applied for a Developer unit a few months prior.

The experience gained from my side projects fed right back into my corporate career. I had an edge over my colleagues when mobile development became the next big thing. The macOS apps helped land me my Staff Engineer position.

All of this work, on top of my corporate grind, didn’t burn me out; it was putting this on the back burner to put in extra hours to pursue corporate success that burned me out.

Looking Back

On multiple occasions, the side projects I’ve worked on were among the first (if not the first) of its kind or capability on its platform. Being first doesn’t grant you success, though. You have to stay ahead by being a leader in your problem domain.

I could have invested more time, energy and dollars into a few of these projects, and maybe they could have been something more than experience and some extra dollars. But having only those two things isn’t bad either. I’ll take the experience, even if it comes with regrets. Those become lessons, which is what gives value to experience.

I wouldn’t change the way I played my career, even if it meant that things could have gone down differently. My personal life is now bearing the fruits of my labour, and I don’t want to imagine wanting anything else.

Looking Forward

I’m currently a free agent, up-skilling, grinding the 2026 job boards along with 150,000 other applicants. I’ve also done some more side projects, having fun with software again.

As a new-ish father, this hiccup in my career allows me to more closely watch my daughter grow. Especially within her age of rapid development.

With agentic AI, code has never been so cheap, and it seems like anyone thinks they could be a builder now. But not like I was; they’re now learning the things I already know. And as a lifelong learner, I will continue to grow and use the tools available to me to my advantage. Like I always have.