Hello! I’m Shadeara “Shay” Gist, a software engineering professional with over 14 years of experience in agile software development environments. I’ve delivered scalable web and geospatial solutions, led cross-functional teams, and collaborated closely with stakeholders to align technology with business goals. I thrive on turning complex challenges into practical, high-quality software that users love. I enjoy mentoring engineers, driving strategic technology decisions, and building partnerships with clients and vendors to extend capabilities. When I’m not coding, I’m planning roadmaps, training teams, and exploring emerging tech to keep solutions ahead of the curve.

Shay Gist

Hello! I’m Shadeara “Shay” Gist, a software engineering professional with over 14 years of experience in agile software development environments. I’ve delivered scalable web and geospatial solutions, led cross-functional teams, and collaborated closely with stakeholders to align technology with business goals. I thrive on turning complex challenges into practical, high-quality software that users love. I enjoy mentoring engineers, driving strategic technology decisions, and building partnerships with clients and vendors to extend capabilities. When I’m not coding, I’m planning roadmaps, training teams, and exploring emerging tech to keep solutions ahead of the curve.

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Shadeara “Shay” Gist, a software engineering professional with over 14 years of experience in agile software development environments. I’ve delivered scalable web and geospatial solutions, led cross-functional teams, and collaborated closely with stakeholders to align technology with business goals. I thrive on turning complex challenges into practical, high-quality software that users love.

I enjoy mentoring engineers, driving strategic technology decisions, and building partnerships with clients and vendors to extend capabilities. When I’m not coding, I’m planning roadmaps, training teams, and exploring emerging tech to keep solutions ahead of the curve.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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Work Experience

Senior Principal Software Engineer at Peraton
December 1, 2022 - December 1, 2022
Led and mentored two software development teams totaling 10 direct reports. Planned, directed, and coordinated activities to create software across multiple functional areas; prioritized and allocated projects with input from architects and managers; contributed to strategic technology decisions; made employment decisions; organized projects through a formal project plan; monitored technology trends and opportunities; and maintained strong client relationships. Responsibilities included leading GIS-driven initiatives, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring timely, quality deliverables in a defense/software engineering context.
Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman
April 1, 2019 - April 1, 2019
Contributed to a cybersecurity project, enhancing deployment and configuration of applications using Ansible playbooks and Java. Modified existing and created new Ansible playbooks to facilitate deployment and configuration of applications on appropriate servers; created templated Jenkins pipelines; built automation for packaging artifacts; implemented signing of application artifacts with GPG keys during builds; implemented feature modifications and enhancements for map pinning, geocoding, and routing software; collaborated with stakeholders to meet project requirements and ensure secure, reliable deployments.
Co-Owner, Web Developer at ShaCa Gurus, LLC
January 1, 2021 - October 29, 2025
Create, update, and maintain websites for clients; manage project phases including collecting client requirements, estimating costs, documenting and proposing work; design prototypes; coordinate iterative client meetings to ensure requirements are met; deliver projects on approved prototypes and iterations; offer maintenance options; implement responsive websites using Wix and WordPress; maintain strong client relationships and expand services.

Education

Master of Science in Engineering Management at George Washington University
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2017
Master of Science in Systems Engineering at George Washington University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at Clemson University
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011

Qualifications

Certified SAFe Agilist
September 1, 2023 - October 1, 2026
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
August 1, 2019 - October 29, 2025

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Professional Services, Government