Kevin Peno Software Engineer / Web Architect
About me

A hands-on and seasoned engineering leader adept at strategic planning and driving technical innovation. Demonstrated success in leading global teams across diverse environments, from small startups to late-stage enterprises. Proven track record in developing and maintaining high-performing software development lifecycles for mission-critical and enterprise systems.

Skills
Leadership — Software Acquisition, Budget Management, KPI Management, Strategic Planning, Technology Roadmapping, Agile/Kanban/Scrum, Distributed/Remote Teams, Cross-functional Team Alignment
Architecture — Problem Solving, Consensus building, Documentation, Process Management, High-availability/High-traffic, Cloud Infrastructure, APIs/Web Services/Microservices, Data Systems, Payments Systems, Privacy by Design, MVP/Prototyping
Languages — JavaScript, Typescript, SQL/NoSQL, Python, Go, Rust, Ruby, C#, Java, PHP
Technologies — React, Next.js, Kafka, Redis, PostgreSQL, AWS, GCP, Fivetran, Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, Shopify, ERP/CRM, WMS, ETL, EDI, AI-assisted Development, Git, Bash, Linux/Windows/Mac
Experience
Principal Software Engineer / Chief Architect, Dollar Shave Club⁠
2018 – 2024
  • •Resolved a Shopify migration issue for PayPal subscribers; stepping line-by-line through the legacy Ruby-on-Rails monolith and adjacent systems to determine the key functionality necessary to allow migration, averting an annual revenue loss of $20M.
  • •Led the cross-functional team of engineers, product managers, third-party vendors, and other stakeholders to successfully implement a Shopify migration for 3M subscribers across four regions, saving over $1M in OPEX annually.
  • •Worked with other data engineers to streamline our ETL tools and pipeline, resulting in $800K yearly savings in OPEX.
  • •Addressed a growing ADA legal risk on our site by created a framework for compliance built-in to the SDLC and skilling up more than 20 engineers on ADA compliance, removing all legal risk in under 45 days and ensuring future compliance.
  • •Collaborated with the legal team to develop processes aligned with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, minimizing privacy breaches and legal risks before they were able to happen.
  • •Fostered a culture of open communication and collaboration by leading training workshops, holding 1:1s, and establishing committees to discuss best practices, operational standards, and architecture improvements, accelerating career growth for peers and mentees.
  • •Developed frameworks to enhance the application of technology, streamlining the implementation and integration processes for internal and third-party vendor solutions.
  • •Partnered with stakeholders to plan a technology roadmaps that better aligned with the business' strategic goals and budgets.
    • Staff Software Engineer & Solutions Architect, Deloitte Digital
    2013 – 2018
  • •Crafted technical strategies that resolved client challenges and delivered market-leading solutions using Javascript, Node.js, Ruby-on-Rails, Java, Datalake tooling, IBM Watson, and cutting edge web technologies like BluetoothLE
  • •Acted as a Solutions Architect in client meetings, improving bilateral communication between Client, Sales, and Engineering teams.
  • •Collaborated with global cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and within budget, consistently exceeding expectations.
    • Senior Software Engineer, MSNBC
    2012 – 2013
  • •Led the comprehensive overhaul of "Election Night" systems using HTML, CSS, C#, ASP.NET, and MSSQL, which achieved a record 1M views per hour on election night 2012, marking a substantial improvement over past performances.
  • •Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and align site specifications.
  • •Implemented a comprehensive testing and quality assurance scheme to ensure site reliability, reduce regressions, and lay the groundwork for future projects.
    • UX Engineer, ADP; The Cobalt Group
    2009 – 2012
  • •Created a dedicated team with the goal of prioritizing accessibility in web development and embedding it seamlessly into contemporary technological architectures.
  • •Conducted workshops and training to educate team members on UX design principles and accessibility standards.
  • •Collaborated with designers and product managers to integrate user-centered design practices into the software development cycle.
    • Software Engineer, Microsoft
    2008 – 2009
  • •Contributed to open-source projects, like Drupal and Joomla, as well as expanding support for MSSQL and IIS in PHP core.
    • Integrations Engineer, Invision Power Services, Inc.
    2005 – 2008
    Harmony IP, Junior Systems Engineer
    2004 – 2006
    Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class, US Navy
    1999 – 2003

    Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd class (E4), Discharged Honorably (RE1), Protected Veteran Status

    Community Service
    United States Coast Guard Auxiliary⁠, Flotilla Staff Officer (FSO)
    2024 – Present

    Joined the CGAUX to gain essential training and access a support system for delivering prompt and effective humanitarian aid during natural disasters or similar emergencies

    Awards
    Be F*ing Great, Dollar Shave Club
    2021

    Awarded by nomination and vote each year to the person that the department feels best stands out as a role model to all other members of the organization

    Build It Together, Dollar Shave Club
    2020

    Awarded by nomination and vote each year to the person that most embodies team work, collaboration, and communication within the department