mike amara, Lead Software Engineer – UI/UX

mike amara

Lead Software Engineer – UI/UX

Northern Trust

Location
United States
Education
Master's degree, Computer Science in E-commerce Technology
Experience
19 years, 10 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :19 years, 10 Months

Lead Software Engineer – UI/UX at Northern Trust
  • United States - Illinois - Chicago
  • My current job since April 2016

- Created Angular directives to be used as components across the app.
- Developed UI components that uses virtual scroll to rendering 100K+ of records on the browser.
- Styles were created using SASS language to maintain/manage the CSS code.
- Used Gulp to compile SASS files and compress / merge CSS/JavaScript files.
- Used Bower to manage frameworks and libraries used in the application.
- Used multiple frameworks across the App including: Kendo, Bootstrap CSS, Angular, data-tables, Jquery and Jquery-ui.
- Created HTML/CSS components that match designs/mockups from scratch.
- Created responsive designs that renders on desktop and mobile devices.
- Created dynamic components using XSLT.
- Mentored team members on installing and using NodeJS, NPM and Gulp.

Lead Software Engineer (UI/UX) at CME Group
  • United States - Illinois - Chicago
  • July 2014 to March 2016

Development:
- Used Require-JS to load the JS source code in a modules.
- Used Angular-JS for new developed pages for inter applications.
- Developed the architecture of applications using Angular SPA approach using UI-Router & ocLazyload.
- Developed different angular directives and services to better manage the code.
- Coded CSS to ensure apps are mobile friendly.
- Enhanced look and feel of Angular apps by using Angular-Bootstrap framework.
- Built custom UI components including Angular virtual-scrolling.
- Worked with third-party APIs to securely process data on the UI.

Leadership:
- Met with business units and provided them with wireframes based on their inputs.
- Collaborated across multiple teams on different projects.
- Established a set of standards for front end developers to follow on a daily bases including MVC JS.
- Introduced Angular-JS as a MVC framework to be used for development within the entire department and was given the approval to use it.
- Mentored Java developers on OOJS design patterns.
- Reviewed code for other developers to ensure best practices are followed.
- Performed pair programming with other UI developers to resolve/inhance issues and performance.
- Changed process of development in projects by making sure front-end and back-end work is done in parallel.
- Interviewed frontend developers for new roles.

Lead Software Engineer - (UI/UX) at American Institutes for Research
  • United States - Illinois - Naperville
  • May 2013 to July 2014

Management/Leadership
• Interviewed candidates seeking front-end developer roll.
• Conducted weekly status meeting with team members to track progress and share knowledge.
• Set year-end performance goals and reviews.
• Code review to make sure code structure meets standards..
• Facilitated session on design patterns and best practices for development.

UI/Client Side
• Developed a set of standards to code JavaScript by all team members.
• Coded Jquery, Jquery-UI, Jquery-Mobile and plain JavaScript for multiple projects.
• Provided a set of standards to structure JavaScript into MVC structure.
• Created DustJS templates and helpers to render HTML via the UI.

Adjunct Instructor - iPhone Development at Moraine Valley Community College
  • United States - Illinois
  • August 2013 to December 2013

(iPhone-I)
This course is an introduction to programming iPhone applications. Students will use Objective-C and the Xcode software development tool from Apple to create basic applications using the iOS SDK, Cocoa Touch and the UIKit framework. The Model-View-Controller design pattern and object modeling will be introduced and used throughout the course.
(iPhone-II)
Students will be introduced to techniques to incorporate Maps, Location Services, and the Accelerometer in their applications. More advanced user interface elements including SplitView, TabBar, DynamicViews, Scrolling views, and Screen Rotation will be covered. Other topics that will be presented include Application Preferences, Drawing and Animation, Video Playback, and creation of Universal Apps (for iPad and other Apple devices).

Lead Software Engineer - (UI/UX) at ZS Associates
  • United States
  • March 2012 to May 2013

•Shared design and architecture of an MVC JavaScript structure among different teams.
•Mentored team members on advanced OO JavaScript topics and JavaScript unit testing.
•Reviewed code for team members locally and offshore and shared critical feedback.
•Assisted PM to break stories into tasks.
•Assigned tasks in projects to appropriate team members with accurate deadlines.
•Worked on legacy VB.net application to replace old techniques with Web 2.0 approach.
•Applying .less CSS approach on different applications.
•Introduced responsive design to be used across applications.
•Used Raphael.js to work with vector graphics using HTML5 canvas tags.
•Worked on Google Map API to present affiliations for our clients.
•Developed P.O.C Visualforce code integrated with APEX Salesforce application.

Adjunct Instructor - Advanced JavaScript at Moraine Valley Community College
  • United States - Illinois
  • January 2013 to May 2013

Teaching Advanced JavaScript course that introduces JavaScript to students already familiar with XHTML and Cascading Style Sheets for the purpose of building interactive websites. In this course I am making sure students are using a hands-on approach, analyze problems, develop solutions, debug and test those solutions. Weekly homeworks and in class workshops are given to students at the end of each class session. A final project has been assigned to groups of students. Students are taught to work within these groups and are responsible for producing a business case, user stories, break an appropriate list of tasks and develop a fully frontend working web application.

Lead Software Engineer - (UI/UX) at CME Group
  • United States
  • June 2008 to March 2012

Management/Leadership
• Managed front-end developers both locally and offshore teams.
• Provided training for new hired developers.
• Interviewed candidates seeking front-end developer roll.
• Conducted weekly status meeting with team members.
• Facilitated session on design patterns and best practices for development.

UI/Client Side
• Developed a set of standards to code JavaScript by all team members.
• Coded Jquery, mootools and plain JavaScript for multiple projects.
• Coded required xHTML and CSS to match designs.
Recommended JSON and XML structure for back-end developers.
• Created XSLTs for XML transformations.
• Developed interactive flash banners and holiday cards for different departments.
• Configured GSA server to crawl internal content.
• Developed custom look and feel for GSA server.
• Developed cmegroup.com android mobile pages.

Server Side
• Configured settings of Enterprise Google Search Appliance server (GSA).
• Developed and customized GSA XSLT style sheet to better enhance default layout and functionality.
• Used Eclipse, Java and Android SDK to develop Mobile applications.
• Gave recommendations for developing mobile applications.
• Developed design recommendations for market data APIs.

Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Provided recommendations on new wireframes and designs.
• Developed a set of best practices and recommendations for frontend developers to follow.
• Participated with the business team to write user stories.
Gave recommendations on applications design.

Senior User interface Designer / Architect at Coventry Health Care
  • United States
  • January 2008 to June 2008

• Conducted interviews for frontend developers.
• Develop Systems and standards documentation.
• Lead Site Developers in the Prototyping, Development, and Deployment of interfaces.
• Interviewed new candidates considered for employment.
• Participated in the implementation of web-based portal applications using JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), JavaScript, HTML, DOM and CSS.
• Gave recommendations on front end interface design (including HTML, Graphics and implementation of JavaScript).
• Work on overall design and development of application style guide.
• Maintain ongoing dialog with Project Management, Technical (Java and Oracle Development) and Graphic Design teams to deliver per client expectations.
• Create application workflow/process using Visio.
• Used Photoshop to edit/create images for various pages.
• Developed XSLTs to transform XML into HTML using browsers native engine.
• Guided backend java developers in building the XML/JSON structure to meet requirements and best practices.

Webmaster/Assistant Manager at Powercell Inc.
  • United States
  • January 2007 to January 2008

• Monitored the performance of staff.
• Contacted vendors to place orders with best given offered.
• Responded to customer emails and in person.
• Visited customers and checked quality of service that was provided.
• Conducted monthly meetings to assign new sales goals and objectives.
• Motivated team members to ensure that productivity targets are met.
• Developed wireframes, screen prototypes, and user interface design documentation.
• Mentored and provided guidance to members of software development team.
• Developed a database driven application to manage warehouse inventory using PHP and MySql.
• Developed online application to manage the process of activating T-mobile new services and generating visual charts for management.
• Enhanced the look and feel of the website by changing the native styles of the website OS-Commerce CSS files.
• Managed the process of inventory check-in and check-out across multiple departments.

Web Developer at Allssc Inc.
  • United States
  • July 2007 to December 2007

• Complete development of both UI and Back-end PHP and MySQL scripting.
• Used script.aculo.us open source framework to develop user friendly admin tool for managing inventory and point of sale.
• Developing a bidding application to be used for live auctions.

Web Developer at Livetext Inc.
  • United States
  • May 2006 to January 2007

• Updated and created custom CSS files for web based dashboard applications.
• Created custom HTML and front end process flows for web based applications.
• Developed templates using Dreamweaver, HTML and JavaScript.
• Create test cases using selenium IDE and Selenium Core.
• Create Q & A specs and test Prototype Application with internal.
• Developed multiple applications using Perl, Ajax and JavaScript for submitting requests and processing visible response.
• Made enhancements to existing applications.

Web Site Developer/Manager at Fine Circuits Inc.
  • United States
  • January 2005 to January 2007

• Developed interface working prototypes using CSS, PHP, Photoshop JavaScript DHTML CSS.
• Gave recommendations on front end interface design (including HTML, Graphics and implementation of JavaScript).
• Participated and facilitated User Acceptance Testing.
• Developed Wireframes screen prototypes and user interface design documentation.
• Created custom HTML and front end process flows for web based applications.
• Developed dynamic website using PHP, Dreamweaver, JavaScript and AJAX.
• Created website templates using PHP, XHTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• Created images for the website using Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Created both backend and frontend code to validate and process forms submitted for new accounts.
• Used Dreamweaver to rapidly design prototype for the business.

CAD Engineer at Imagineering Inc.
  • United States
  • January 2004 to January 2004

• Multiple layers of Printed Circuit Boards were designed using PADS software.
• Designs were analyzed, and checked for manufacturing errors by using CAM-Master software.
• Final designs were sent to customers for approval prior of sending the design for a manufacturing board house.
• Customers were contacted by phone, fax, and/or email for correcting errors or for making any changes in any of the designs.

GSM Network Analyst at Motorola Corp.
  • Jordan - Amman
  • May 1997 to September 1997

• Conducted RF drive testing and validation of the Fastlink network in Jordan.
• Analyzed call logs using TEMS drive test software and discussed network quality problems with the lead RF engineer.
• Problem reports were complied and issued on daily basis to the optimization/design engineers.
• Weekly reports of the overall Network quality and statistics were complied and issued.

Education

Master's degree, Computer Science in E-commerce Technology
  • at Depaul University
  • June 2010

This degree is designed to be specialized in e-business systems development and management. This program exposed me to a broad and changing mix of technologies, programming languages and tools. Practices, team projects, and work for real clients provided me with an authentic environment for learning. The curriculum provided me with flexible, modularized advanced training in e-business systems as well as competencies in Internet application development, advanced Internet technologies, and wireless applications. Expand my competencies to the areas of: • IT architecture design. • Project management. • Enterprise systems integration. • Design of information security, networks, and databases. Gained a broad range of skills including: • Computer programming and database technology. • Web engineering methodology, user-centered design, and systems development life cycle Web services, e-commerce servers, Web 2.0. • Project management. • Networking and middleware. Completed the following courses: • Fundamentals of IT Project Management • Enterprise Project Management • IT Investment Financial Analysis • Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery • Principles and Practices of Software Engineering • Object Oriented Modeling • E-Commerce Website Engineering • Secure Electronic Commerce • E-Commerce Technology Capstone • Mobile Commerce Technology • Intranets and Portals • Advanced Scripting Technology • Internet Application Development • Database Design I • Fundamentals of Distributed Systems

Bachelor's degree, Computer Engineering
  • at University of Illinois at Chicago
  • May 2003

Computer Engineering encompasses both Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Computer engineering is concerned with the design of computer systems, the utilization of computing systems in the design of products and the incorporation of computer systems in products that are employed in virtually all fields of human endeavor. Computer engineering requires skills in both the design and development of computer hardware, and computer software. Depending on the need, the computer engineer may work with electrical engineers, engineers in other fields, computer scientists, information systems experts, biomedical researchers, and people in almost any other field.

Specialties & Skills

Project Management
Cascading Style Sheets CSS
JavaScript
Android Programming
CSS Coding
Object Oriented Programming
ASP.NET
HTML Coding
Advanced JavaScript

Languages

English
Expert
Arabic
Expert

Memberships

Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
  • member/web team
  • January 2001
Association for Computing Machinery
  • member
  • January 2001