Resume

Michael Morales

New Mexico, United States

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY 

Results-driven Principal Systems Architect and WordPress Expert with over 20 years of experience in software development, web and mobile application design, and systems engineering. Proficient in a diverse array of programming languages and frameworks, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python, with a strong focus on creating scalable and efficient solutions. Skilled in managing the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and utilizing Agile methodologies to lead cross-functional teams and drive innovative projects. Experienced with project management tools like JIRA and Trello, driving best practices in compliance, system monitoring, and incident response to ensure high-quality deliverables and robust infrastructure. Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance user experiences and deliver strategic business outcomes, I am seeking a challenging role where I can utilize my skill set to benefit the company and contribute to innovative solutions.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Programming Languages & Technologies
  • Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Node.js, Laravel, Angular, Vue, Nest
  • Mobile App Development: React Native
  • Backend & Frameworks: .NET, C, C++, Python, REST API, TensorFlow, PyTorch
  • Content Management Systems: WordPress, Drupal, Umbraco, Joomla, BigCommerce
  • Database Management: MongoDB, MSSQL, MySQL, MariaDB
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Familiarity with machine learning algorithms, natural language processing (NLP), and AI model evaluation techniques
  • Software Development Methodologies: Agile (Scrum, Kanban)
  • Infrastructure Development & System Administration: Linux
  • Compliance: Section 508/WCAG 2.0
  • System Monitoring & Incident Response: Nagios, Splunk, ELK Stack, Prometheus, Grafana
  • Project Management Tools: Jira, Trello, ClickUp, Asana
Tools and Technologies
  • Version Control: Git, GitHub, Bitbucket
  • CI/CD: Jenkins, Docker
  • Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
  • Monitoring & Alerting: Nagios, Splunk
  • Automation Tools: Ansible, Terraform
  • Virtualization: VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper-V
  • AI Tools: Familiarity with AI model training and evaluation tools (e.g., Hugging Face, OpenAI API)
  • Project Management: Scrum boards, Kanban boards, Agile sprints
Platforms
  • Operating Systems: Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora, RedHat), macOS, Windows
  • Mobile Platforms: iOS, Android
  • Web Hosting: Apache, Nginx, WordPress VIP

SOFT SKILLS

  • Communication: Effective at conveying complex ideas clearly and concisely.
  • Teamwork: Collaborates well in cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify issues and develop innovative solutions.
  • Adaptability: Quick to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.
  • Leadership: Experience in leading teams and managing projects to successful completion

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Scale AI
Prompt Engineer
October 2024 – Present

  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide human feedback for training and improving large language models (LLMs), enhancing their accuracy and effectiveness in real-world applications.
  • Conducting thorough evaluations of AI-generated code, identifying areas for improvement, and offering actionable insights to refine model outputs and training data.
  • Utilizing data annotation techniques to prepare datasets that support the development of robust AI models, ensuring high-quality training resources.
  • Engaging in ongoing research to understand the latest advancements in AI and machine learning, integrating best practices into evaluation processes to drive continuous improvement.
  • Participating in regular training sessions and workshops to enhance expertise in AI technologies and methodologies, contributing to a culture of learning and innovation within the team.
  • Analyzing model performance metrics and providing feedback to improve user experience, reliability, and overall system functionality.

Horizon Marketing Group
Principal Systems Architect
January 2023 – February 2024

  • Spearheaded the management and development of multiple high-impact WordPress sites for diverse clients, utilizing a comprehensive range of programming languages to enhance functionality and user engagement.
  • Ensured compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standards during the development and maintenance of WordPress websites, promoting inclusivity and enhancing user experience.
  • Led a high-performing team of developers in the design and implementation of optimized WordPress solutions, achieving an 80% increase in client ROI through innovative custom plugin development for lead capture and e-commerce functionality.
  • Oversaw all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including meticulous project planning, resource allocation, code reviews, and deployment, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.
  • Developed and maintained the School Dismissal Manager mobile application for Android and iOS platforms, employing .NET, JavaScript, and HTML5 to create a robust and scalable user experience.
  • Collaborated closely with clients on UI/UX design, resulting in visually appealing and intuitive WordPress websites that significantly improved user engagement and conversion rates.
  • Integrated WordPress with Salesforce to optimize data flow and enhance business processes, resulting in streamlined operations for clients.
  • Managed and maintained Linux servers for both client-facing and corporate environments, ensuring high availability, security, and performance.
  • Provided strategic technical expertise to support internal solutions and guide corporate growth initiatives.
  • Engineered custom plugins and themes using PHP (Laravel), JavaScript (React), CSS (Bootstrap), and HTML, delivering tailored solutions that met specific client needs and expectations.

Toptal
WordPress Developer
September 2015 – October 2024

  • Designed, developed, and launched secure, scalable WordPress websites from inception to completion, ensuring optimal performance, user experience, and adherence to best practices while effectively supporting conversion rate optimization (CRO) and improved customer engagement.
  • Provided technology consulting services focused on optimizing clients’ technology stacks and recommending scalable frameworks like Laravel for custom functionality, improving operational efficiency and maximizing return on technology investments (ROTI).
  • Developed dynamic single-page web applications using AngularJS and Node.js, boosting user engagement and interactivity and supporting high traffic and demand without compromising performance.
  • Collaborated on data-driven web applications utilizing Python scripts to efficiently load data into AWS Cloud Cassandra databases, optimizing data management, accessibility, and storage costs while ensuring security and compliance in data handling.
  • Developed robust, conversion-focused e-commerce solutions using BigCommerce with a headless framework approach, enabling companies to combine BigCommerce’s backend flexibility with a highly customizable frontend. Leveraged Catalyst and other API-driven tools for better multi-channel consistency, resulting in reduced time-to-market and a measurable increase in revenue per visitor.
  • Enhanced online presence through social media marketing strategies and search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, generating a stronger brand presence and measurable ROI in digital marketing investments for clients across platforms.
  • Authored optimized, interactive page-level code with JavaScript using the AngularJS framework, supplemented by jQuery and additional libraries, increasing usability, scalability, and overall site performance.
  • Leveraged BigCommerce’s headless architecture to create customized, high-performance e-commerce solutions, resulting in a 37% increase in ROI. This approach facilitated seamless integrations with third-party applications and personalized user experiences, optimizing the customer journey from browsing to checkout, ultimately driving higher conversion rates and customer retention.

Google
Full Stack Developer
April 2014 – August 2015

  • Developed and optimized internal tools using the MERN Stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js), demonstrating a robust proficiency in full-stack development and aligning with team objectives.
  • Built high-performance applications with a strong emphasis on scalability and efficiency, significantly improving operational workflows and reducing processing times by up to 30%.
  • Designed and implemented secure, scalable databases using MongoDB and MySQL, enhancing data retrieval speed and ensuring data integrity for mission-critical applications.
  • Mentored junior developers on software best practices, code quality, and technical guidance, fostering a collaborative environment and enhancing team productivity.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with product managers and UX/UI designers to create user-centered applications that improved user satisfaction scores by 25%.
  • Conducted code reviews and performance testing to ensure high-quality deliverables, resulting in a 15% reduction in bug reports post-launch.
  • Contributed to the migration of legacy systems to modern technologies, streamlining development processes and reducing maintenance costs by 20%.

AT&T
Senior Technical Manager
May 2000 – March 2014

  • Led a high-performing team of developers in the design and implementation of a robust call center intranet, improving operational efficiency and reducing response times by 35%.
  • Spearheaded the establishment of the AT&T Wireless Division, overseeing a team of developers in the creation of innovative solutions using Perl, UNIX System V, HTML, Bash, and PHP, which contributed to a 40% increase in service delivery speed.
  • Served as a key liaison between project managers and development teams, facilitating effective communication and ensuring alignment on project goals and timelines.
  • Developed a comprehensive e-commerce solution using Python (Django) and React, enhancing customer engagement and driving online sales growth by 50%.
  • Created and maintained Perl modules for internal use, streamlining processes and improving code reusability across the organization.
  • Implemented best practices for software development, including code reviews and performance testing, which resulted in a 20% decrease in production incidents.
  • Conducted training sessions and workshops for team members on emerging technologies and development methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate new technologies, leading to the successful launch of several high-impact projects that enhanced customer satisfaction.

CERTIFICATIONS

CompTIA+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+, Microsoft Specialist, MCSE, MCSD, MCP, LFCS, RHCE, UCP, CCNA, Zend Certified PHP Engineer, Salesforce Developer, Python Certification, IBM Data Analyst

CONSULTANCY

WordPress Core Developer
Automattic Consultant
2001 – Present

  • Core Contributions: Over the past 15 years, have been actively contributing to the WordPress core, enhancing platform functionality, security, and performance. Collaborated with the WordPress community to implement features that improve user experience and accessibility.
  • Technologies Utilized: Proficient in PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, with extensive experience in frameworks such as React and Gutenberg for building intuitive user interfaces and enhancing the overall WordPress ecosystem.
  • Value Addition to Automattic: Provided strategic consulting to Automattic by optimizing WordPress for high-traffic sites, resulting in improved performance and scalability. Leveraged expertise in REST API integration to enhance plugin functionality and streamline client workflows.
  • Custom Development: Developed and maintained custom plugins and themes tailored to client specifications, utilizing best practices to ensure robust, secure, and high-performing solutions that meet diverse business needs.
  • Community Engagement: Actively participated in WordPress meetups, WordCamps, and online forums, sharing knowledge and best practices with other developers, fostering community growth, and encouraging collaboration.
  • Performance Optimization: Conducted site audits and performance assessments, implementing optimizations that improved page load times by up to 50% and enhanced user engagement metrics.

Training and Mentorship: Provided training and mentorship to junior developers and clients on WordPress best practices, contributing to skill development and empowering teams to create high-quality, maintainable code.

EDUCATION

Boston University
PhD in Computer Engineering
November 2023 – December 2024
Concentration: Scientific Research in Computer Engineering

  • Researching Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Large Language Models (LLMs), contributing to advancements in natural language processing and understanding.
  • Published five papers in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on impactful AI applications and technologies related to LLMs, demonstrating a commitment to quality research and knowledge dissemination.

DeVry University
Master of Computer Engineering and Information Services
February 2022 – September 2023
Concentration: Web Development and Administration

  • Achieved a 4.0 GPA, demonstrating academic excellence while balancing coursework and projects.
  • Inducted into the National Honor Society and recognized on the Dean’s List for outstanding academic performance.
  • Developed a comprehensive capstone project, a Stock Ticker, that captures real-time stock data and features a user-friendly dashboard. Integrated login functionality to Fidelity for trading stocks and accessing extensive stock research, utilizing MERN technology (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js).

New York University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
September 1988 – January 1991
Tandon School of Engineering
Concentration: Computer Systems Engineering

  • Graduated Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.96, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence.

Conducted a research project focused on calculating planetary motion in a 3D model, showcasing analytical and technical skills.

LANGUAGES

  • English (Fluent)
  • French (Fluent)
  • Spanish (Fluent)
  • Catalan (Fluent)