KEVIN GURAN

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Principal Software Engineer
Varian Semiconductor / Applied Materials, Gloucester, MA
Sept 2012 - present

• Develop tools for managing the data pipeline for control systems on ion implanters.
• Optimize and improve computer vision system to ensure correct wafer placement.
• Implement automation and tracking for software-based processes.
• Incorporate modern web technologies into existing internal websites.

Mentor (part-time)
The Firehose Project, Boston, MA
April 2015 - present

• Provide remote assistance for Rails bootcamp students on a weekly basis
• Teach basic programming skills to students

Senior Gameplay Engineer
Irrational Games, Quincy, MA
Mar 2011 - Sept 2012

• Worked with designers and animators to develop gameplay and animation systems.

Game project work

Bioshock Infinite (Xbox 360, PS3)

Software Engineer
Planet Moon Studios / Bigpoint Inc, San Francisco, CA
Nov 2010 - Feb 2011

• Integrated NVIDIA PhysX into proprietary engine for Xbox 360 and Wii.
• Developed multi-player game lobby server for a browser-based game.

Game project work

Unannounced Title (Xbox 360, Wii) [cancelled]
Created proof-of-concept demos for hair and cloth simulation using PhysX.

Unannounced Title (Unity) [cancelled]

Software Engineer
LucasArts, San Francisco, CA
Sept 2006 - Sept 2010

• Worked closely with designers and artists to develop systems and gameplay.
• Implemented and extended systems in C++, C# and Lua.
• Worked with 3rd party simulation systems.

Selected projects

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Supervised technical development of Challenge Levels. Extended visual scripting system to support gameplay. Integrated levels with UI, leaderboard, achievement and persistence systems. Extended and modified player lightning attack system. Prototyped player attacks.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PS3, Xbox 360) [uncredited]
Wrote proxy geometry system to allow two 3rd party physics systems to interact.

Lucidity (XBLA)
Extended asset build system to support new asset types and features. Developed reusable core tech for XBLA titles.

Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (PS3, Xbox 360) [cancelled]
Developed a data-driven character reaction system using a 3rd party dynamic animation engine. Prototyped physics-based gameplay. Worked with animators and tools developers to improve animation blend tool. Worked with technical artists and designers to document and improve the breakable asset creation pipeline.

Senior Technical Consultant
Agency.com, Chicago, IL
July 2000 - Aug 2006

• Designed and developed multi-tier web applications for clients in a variety of industries.
• Acquired proficiency quickly in technologies for new projects.
• Mentored junior programmers.
• Worked closely with the creative department to realize client goals.

Selected projects

Hewlett Packard

• Supported a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign with photo essay creator and viewer. The application was localized in 13 languages.
• Developed a product catalog for a web-based sales force automation tool.
• Extended a product to allow users to create PDF CD/DVD labels on custom media with images and curved text.

Miller Beer Corporate

• Refactored and upgraded the code base supporting many of Miller's public Web sites.
• Developed the results retrieval and display framework for a local events search engine.
• Designed and developed a reusable service-oriented framework for instant win online contests.

Lead Programmer
Leapnet Communications, Chicago, IL
April 1998 — July 2000

• Led teams in designing and implementing web-based systems.
• Developed project schedules and estimates.
• Worked closely with the creative and management teams.
• Clients included Sam's Club, MSNBC and Ernst and Young, LLC.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

EDUCATION

B.S. with Honors in Computer Science
DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Private Pilot - ASEL
Oakland Flyers, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, CA

Attended GDC
2003 - 2013

Attended Sony DevCon
2008, 2009

Attended SIGGRAPH
2005

Sun-certified Java Programmer
2002

REFERENCES AVAILABLE