Available to hire
I am a Lead Java Developer with over 25 years of experience in software development and technical leadership. My expertise lies in building microservices using Java and Spring Boot, optimizing backend systems with MySQL, and leveraging AWS services to create scalable solutions. I have a strong track record of driving process improvements, mentoring teams, and delivering high-performance enterprise applications.
Throughout my career, I have focused on enhancing payment systems, POS integrations, and security measures while supporting major retail clients like Walmart and Walgreens. I enjoy solving complex problems and collaborating with cross-functional teams to build efficient, reliable software systems.
Language
English
Fluent
Amharic
Advanced
Javanese
Advanced
Work Experience
Senior Payment Systems Engineer at ComResource / Express Stores
June 30, 2025 - July 23, 2025Responsible for the monitoring, administration, problem resolution, and project support for all payment systems from card terminals to settlement servers. Activities included daily health checks, monitoring store-level payment hardware/software, supporting sales audit investigations, liaising with payment system vendors, and leading project and maintenance efforts. Achievements included resolving long-term validation issues and settlement data processing errors, saving Express Stores millions annually.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at KiteString Technical Services / Walmart Stores Inc.
October 31, 2024 - July 23, 2025Led research, design, and development of numerous enhancements to custom IBM/Toshiba 4690 GSA POS systems. Developed features including barcoded gift card support, serialized transaction storage, smart card and no-pin debit tender support, e-Coupon handling, returns process re-engineering, PIN-enabled device registration, and dynamic device control APIs for financial service providers. Created dashboards in Splunk for monitoring and support.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at BrookeSource / Walgreens
June 30, 2011 - July 23, 2025Developed and led enhancements for IBM/Toshiba 4690 CDSA controller and terminal applications. Automated lab invoice processing using 2D barcodes, added compliance support for Puerto Rico IVU Tax Lottery, expanded AARP Rewards functionality, and extended data entry device tracking to enhance transaction accuracy and compliance.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at CompuPros / Walmart Stores Inc.
June 30, 2010 - July 23, 2025Researched, designed, developed, and technically led projects on IBM/Toshiba 4690 GSA POS systems including international acquisition integrations for Central American grocery chains, conversion of country-specific payment processes to PCI compliance, codebase standardization, shared module refactoring, and support for tenant-specific reporting and lease tenant functionality in China stores.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at Sears Holdings / Kmart Corporation
October 31, 2007 - July 23, 2025Designed, developed, and maintained numerous enhancements on IBM/Toshiba 4690 SA POS terminals and controllers. Key projects included warranty battery prorating returns, Java GUI enhancements for product lookup, senior discount processing, national product registration interface for warranty determination, fraud reduction in refund processes, automation of rain check processing, fuel system POS integration, and new GUI with fuel options. Served as Release Engineer on a rotational basis responsible for software update packaging and rollout.
Lead Software Engineer at Wintegrity / ASI Software
February 28, 2001 - July 23, 2025Designed, developed, and maintained projects including conversion of applications from VB/VC++ 5.0 to 6.0, database migrations from SQL Server 6.5 to 7.0, code migration from RDO to ADO, enhancement of multi-store product with web interface, and assistance in development of multiple POS software packages.
Senior Payment Systems Engineer at ComResource / Express Stores
June 30, 2025 - July 23, 2025Responsible for monitoring, administration, problem resolution, and project support for payment systems from card terminals to settlement servers. Performed daily health checks of authorization and settlement servers, monitored reporting jobs for payment hardware/software, and supported sales audit teams. Acted as primary contact for payment system vendors for maintenance and issue resolution. Led research, design, and resolution efforts to address long-term issues, including discovering unprocessed transaction files saving millions annually and resolving daily settlement data failures, improving store revenue retention and financial operations.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at KiteString Technical Services / Walmart Stores Inc.
October 31, 2024 - July 23, 2025Led research, design, and technical leadership for enhancement projects on custom IBM/Toshiba 4690 GSA POS systems. Key achievements include adding support for single barcoded gift cards, developing serialized transaction storage for improved suspend functionality, increasing card security via smart card support, enabling no-pin debit transactions, implementing e-Coupon support, and re-engineering return processes to reduce fraud. Developed APIs for dynamic device control, supporting third-party financial services integration. Created dashboards in Splunk for project monitoring and production support.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at BrookeSource / Walgreens
June 30, 2011 - July 23, 2025Developed and technically led enhancement projects for IBM/Toshiba 4690 CDSA controller and terminal applications. Automated lab invoice processing using 2D barcode scanning, implemented Puerto Rico IVU Tax Lottery compliance features, expanded data entry mode tracking including drive-thru lanes, and integrated AARP Rewards support. These enhancements improved customer experience, tax compliance, rewards tracking, and operational efficiency.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at CompuPros / Walmart Stores Inc.
June 30, 2010 - July 23, 2025Led research, design, development, and technical leadership on IBM/Toshiba 4690 GSA POS for Walmart, including international acquisition integration projects for Central American grocery chains. Converted country-specific credit and payment processes for PCI compliance, improved code standards and base architecture, implemented reporting for lease tenants, and enhanced POS functionality. Played a key role in adapting systems to meet diverse regulatory and operational challenges, improving consistency and security.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at Sears Holdings / Kmart Corporation
October 31, 2007 - July 23, 2025Designed, developed, and maintained POS terminal and controller applications on IBM/Toshiba 4690 SA. Automated battery process for warranty returns, enhanced Java GUI for visual product lookup, updated discount processing, integrated warranty database interfaces, converted refund verification to item-level process, automated rain check transactions, supported express gas station POS, and interfaced with fuel systems for various transaction types. Also managed release engineering duties, overseeing software updates and rollout processes.
Lead Software Engineer at Wintegrity / ASI Software
February 28, 2001 - July 23, 2025Led software design, development, and maintenance projects including upgrading applications from VB/VC++ 5.0 to 6.0, transitioning database foundation from SQL Server 6.5 to 7.0, migrating data access methodologies, enhancing multi-store product with web interfaces, and assisting in the development of multiple Point of Sale software packages.
Senior Payment Systems Engineer at ComResource / Express Stores
June 30, 2025 - July 23, 2025Oversaw monitoring, administration, problem resolution, and project support for all payment systems from card terminals to settlement servers. Conducted daily health checks and monitored store-level payment hardware and software. Investigated consumer complaints related to payments and refunds. Acted as primary contact for payment system vendors and implemented system enhancements. Developed resolutions that saved millions annually by discovering and fixing failed validation transactions and settlement data capture failures.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at KiteString Technical Services / Walmart Stores Inc.
October 31, 2024 - July 23, 2025Directed research, design, and technical leadership for enhancement projects on custom IBM/Toshiba 4690 GSA POS systems. Integrated single barcoded gift card support, created serialized transaction storage to enhance suspend functionality, added smart card support for security, supported no-pin debit tenders, implemented e-Coupons, optimized returns process, developed solutions for PIN-enabled device registration, created dynamic device control API for third-party money service providers, and deployed Splunk dashboards for monitoring.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at BrookeSource / Walgreens
June 30, 2011 - July 23, 2025Led development and technical leadership for enhancement projects of IBM/Toshiba 4690 CDSA controller and terminal applications. Automated lab invoice processing using specialized 2D barcodes, supported Puerto Rico IVU Tax Lottery for compliance, enabled AARP card tracking for rewards, expanded data entry mode tracking with device location, and simplified customer and cashier experiences.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at CompuPros / Walmart Stores Inc.
June 30, 2010 - July 23, 2025Responsible for research, design, development, and technical lead activities on custom IBM/Toshiba 4690 GSA POS. Led international acquisition integration projects, converting credit processing systems for Argentina, China, and Mexico to comply with country-specific requirements and PCI compliance. Updated codebase to current coding standards and enhanced support for lease tenant item reporting.
Senior Software Engineer/Technical Lead at Sears Holdings / Kmart Corporation
October 31, 2007 - July 23, 2025Designed, developed, and maintained enhancement projects for IBM/Toshiba 4690 SA POS terminal and controller applications. Automated warranty battery returns, enhanced Java GUI for product lookup, updated discount processing, interfaced with national product registration for warranty verification, converted refund processes to reduce fraud, automated rain check process, enhanced gas station POS systems, added fuel system integration for transactions, and performed release engineering duties.
Lead Software Engineer / Software Engineer at Wintegrity / ASI Software
February 28, 2001 - July 23, 2025Designed, developed, and maintained applications including conversion from VB/VC++ 5.0 to 6.0, transitioned database foundation from SQL Server 6.5 to 7.0, migrated code from RDO to ADO, enhanced multi-store product to include web-based interface, and assisted development of multiple POS software packages.
Education
B.S. at Oakland University
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1999Masters at University of Phoenix
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006Masters at University of Phoenix
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008Master of Business Administration at Kaplan University
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012B.S. in Computer Science at Oakland University
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1999Masters in Adult Education and Distance Learning at University of Phoenix
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006Masters in Management Information Systems at University of Phoenix
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008Master of Business Administration at Kaplan University (Now Purdue Global)
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012Master of Business Administration at Kaplan University (Now Purdue Global)
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012Masters at University of Phoenix
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008Masters at University of Phoenix
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006B.S. at Oakland University
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999Qualifications
Industry Experience
Retail, Financial Services, Computers & Electronics, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Consumer Goods
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