James Walker

Experienced software engineering leader with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions. Skilled in driving proof-of-concept development from early-stage ideas to impactful implementations that demonstrate clear business value. Experienced in managing engineering teams, setting priorities, reviewing performance, and coaching for growth. Proficient in full-stack development across domains such as cloud, microservices, mobile, web, data sharing, broadcast media, and streaming. Hands-on expertise with diverse technologies, languages, and frameworks. Strong in Agile practices, leveraging sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives for effective collaboration and high-quality delivery. Excellent communicator with experience presenting to stakeholders, customers, and conferences. Co-inventor of 15 issued US and international patents.

Outshift by Cisco

Senior Technical Leader 09/2022 - 12/2024

Developed a series of sample Generative AI apps to evaluate the developer experience for Outshift's Motific Generative AI product, including chatbots, assistants and agents.

Lead development of frameworks to generate composable vulnerable app deployments used for CNAPP (Cybersecurity tool) testing

Implementation of a prototype low-code platform for composable digital outcomes (simple data pipelines for non-technical users)

Managed a multi-national team of senior developers and interns

Skills: LangChain, LangGraph, Python, JavaScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, React, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, Software Architecture, REST API Design, AWS including CloudFormation

Cisco Emerging Technologies and Incubation  

Senior Technical Leader 03/2020 - 09/2022

Contributor to open source BitBroker end-to-end, policy-based, data sharing solution. Led sample app development / deployment, developer portal (closed source) and pen-test engagement

Development lead for an automotive augmented reality proof-of concept, enabling drivers to discover vehicle feature information, order replacement parts and access remote assistance and repair triage.

Lead mobile app development (Android & iOS) for a Continuous Multi-factor Authentication concept incubation; working with UX design to improve the usability of the app, improving robustness and adding further authentication factors

Managed a small team of junior developers

Skills: JavaScript, Node.js, Mocha/Chai, PostgreSQL, React.js, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, Software Architecture, REST API Design, Android development (Java), iOS development (Swift, SwiftUI), Firebase, VOSK library, Espresso, Fastlane, SonarQube, ARKit, AWS, Figma, Interviewing, Video and content creation.

Cisco Chief Technology and Architecture Office  

Senior Technical Leader 09/2014 - 03/2020

Work package leader, and leader of Cisco’s participation in the H2020 2Immerse Project. This three-year collaborative project developed a cloud-based platform for the creation and delivery of immersive multi-device experiences using object-based media. Partners included BT, BBC, ChyronHego, IRT. Co-author of IBC 2018 Technical Paper

Sustainable Impact – IoT platform to support sustainability programmes focused on wildlife conservation parks which helped establish Cisco’s creation of the Connected Conservation Foundation, a global Cisco tech for good initiative. Responsible for integration and deployment of the internal data brokering platform used, allowing managed access to 3rd parties.

Skills: JavaScript, Node.js, TypeScript, Rancher 1.x, Software Architecture, REST API Design, Micro-service architecture, Docker, Redis, MongoDB, Ansible, ELK stack, Prometheus, Grafana, FFMPEG

Cisco Service Provider Video Software and Services - New Initiatives

Senior Technical Leader 01/2013 - 09/2014

Advanced digital TV concept & prototype development:

Gemini project realising ECHO multiscreen concept (see below) into STB Middleware

Delivery of Cisco Future of Video demonstrations at Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 partnering with BBC to show live 4K HEVC content.

NDS

Technical Director 07/2012 - 01/2013

Principal Systems Architect 07/2001 - 07/2012

Project orientated R&D concept and prototype development and project leadership within TV Platforms, then New Initiatives divisions. Highlights include:

ECHO an innovative synchronised multiscreen (TV + tablet / mobile) concept UX – development leader

Project Fresco (a.k.a. NDS Surfaces, Cisco Future of Video) immersive multiscreen media concept UX, receiving widespread industry recognition of thought leadership, including winning the 2013 NAB Technology Innovation Award – development leader and co-author of multiple papers (IBC, NAB)

Several projects in the areas of personalisation and recommendations, navigation and guidance, content discovery, metadata and social TV, either in a development leader or product owner role

Co-author of IBC Best technical Paper 2010 “Does size matter? The impact of screen size on stereoscopic 3DTV”

LocateTV.com – TV domain vertical search website – member of originating team, product owner for personalisation features

Advanced STB Graphics including development of PoC’s, HTML5 technical evaluation, dialogue with silicon vendors and participation in Khronos OpenVG standardisation including multiple vendor extensions

Share-IT European collaborative project work package leader (Peer-to-peer content distribution).

Skills: project leadership, communication (written and presentation), concept development, patents (writing and review), project definition and scoping, standards group participation, technology & competitive / market analysis, software development (HTML/JavaScript/CSS, ActionScript, Java, MySQL)

Motorola PCS

Standards Development Engineer 09/2000 - 05/2001

Representing Motorola Personal Communications Sector at 3GPP TSG SA4 [codec working group] meetings; this group has responsibility for codecs and protocols for 3G conversational and streaming multimedia services. The role required close liaison with Motorola’s multimedia research labs and PCS product development and strategy groups.

Skills: communication (written and presentation), patents (writing and review), standards group participation, technology & competitive / market analysis.

C-Cube Microsystems

Field Applications Engineer 03/1998 - 09/2000

Primarily supporting C-Cube’s European MPEG codec customers in broadcast/professional, non-linear editing, video streaming and consumer applications. Key job activities included:

Providing pre and post sales technical support to new and existing customers in Europe, often on–site at customer premises, and at events such as tradeshows [NAB, MediaCast and IBC]

Providing applications engineering, product integration and design win support for potential new customers

Working closely with and supporting sales and marketing

Providing liaison and feedback on customer activities and future requirements to management and engineering.

BBC Research & Development

Research and Development Engineer 06/1996 - 03/1998

Graduate Engineer 09/1994 - 06/1996

Project based work included:

Specification and initial design work for an MPEG-2 playout/splicer PCI card

Designing DSP circuitry and developing microcontroller software for a vector refinement and prediction mode selector subsystem of a broadcast MPEG-2 encoder

Re-engineering an MPEG-2 Transport Stream Multiplexer for a broadcast MPEG-2 encoder.

Planning and implementing a system-wide upgrade of the BBC RDS system, in particular, upgrading software in the BBC designed RDS Encoder.

Skills: embedded software development (C, Assembler), hardware design, FPGA design

Some work was carried out on a collaborative basis with a commercial manufacturing partner [Snell and Wilcox]

Upper second class [2:1] B.Eng. [Honours] degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from University of Surrey.