Walter Grant Ward
Lexington, KY
859-420-4367
walter.grant.ward@gmail.com
waltergrantward.com
github.com/grantula
Profile
Experienced senior software engineer looking for new challenges in the development world. Proven background in developing backend distributed
systems, data engineering and greenfield development. High level Python and Javascript skills and mid level experience developing in PHP and
Golang, but always eager to learn and adapt to new technology and methods.
Skills, Technologies, Methodologies
Python, Flask, FastAPI, Django, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Vault, Nginx, Jenkins, Javascript, Node.js, REST APIs, Bash, Linux,
PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, DynamoDB
Professional History & Experience
WXYZ.dev
Founder and Head of Software Development ❖ January 2023 - Present
Technologies used: Python, FastAPI, SQLite, AWS, Docker
● Architecture and development of a market research focused software application to drive research and results for clients.
LiveRamp
Senior Fullstack Engineer ❖ May 2022 - April 2024
Technologies used: Python, Django, FastAPI, Postgres, BigQuery, Javascript, Jenkins, Docker
● Contributing to internal facing Django application to improve workflow efficiency for Cross-Screen Advertising Measurement campaigns
● Architected greenfield services + projects using FastAPI and BigQuery to move team’s legacy pre-acquisition AWS environment
workflows into LiveRamp’s GCP environment and expand TV Advertising Measurement solutions
● Implementing and improving best practices for front and back end development to improve development speed and reduce code
coupling/cognitive load
Dynata (formerly known as Critical Mix)
Tech Lead / Senior Software Engineer ❖ January 2021 - April 2022
Technologies used: Python, ECS Fargate, Postgres, TeamCity, Snowflake, Docker
● Taking new product to integrated external partners via new APIs from planning and greenfield development in to production
● Helped reduce monthly overhead cost of services and infrastructure from legacy application by 93%
● Design and implement SDKs for internal and external use
Senior Software Engineer ❖ August 2020 - January 2021
Technologies used: PHP, Golang, Javascript, EC2, ECS, MySQL, Jenkins, Snowflake, Docker
● Maintaining legacy PHP app that serves as main integration layer for external market research panels to fill open projects
● Contribute to the design, creation and implementation of moving legacy application to a more modern, extensible modern stack
Senior Big Data Engineer ❖ March 2019 - March 2020
Technologies used: Python3 & Flask, Apache Airflow, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Ansible, Vagrant, MySQL, AWS EKS, S3, Jenkins, Snowflake
● Deployed and managed Apache Airflow on Amazon EKS Cluster, creating ingestion layer for third party data sources for ETL processes
● Brought product from greenfield to production deployments, with abstracted and easy to manage DAGs pulling data into an S3 Data Lake
Senior AdTech Engineer ❖ June 2018 - March 2019
Technologies used: Python3 & Flask, Docker, Consul, Terraform, Vagrant, DynamoDB, MySQL, AWS ECS, Aurora, Redshift, Lambda, S3, Git, Nginx + Lua, Pytest, Bamboo
● Architected an Advertising & Brand Lift Measurement product to help clients evaluate the effectiveness of their online advertising dollars
● Maintained the entirety of the stack of this project, from DevOps and infrastructure setup (AWS services w/ Infrastructure as Code using
Terraform), Databases and Storage (AWS Aurora MySQL, DynamoDB, Redshift, S3), Backend code (Python + Flask + Docker), Frontend
(Vanilla Javascript, HTML) and beyond
BoomTownROI, Charleston, SC, USA
Software Engineer - Digital Marketing ❖ February 2016 - May 2018
Technologies used: Python3 & Flask, Angular 1, PostgreSQL, AWS, Docker, Git, REST APIs, OAuth, Google Apps Script, Adwords Script
● Built & maintained a suite of internal digital marketing tools for creating and managing advertising campaigns at scale
● Lessened reliance on hiring new advertising analysts and improved efficiency through automating tedious processes, allowing analysts to
focus on improving accounts in other ways.
● Created algorithms that optimize campaign performance by over fifty percent, thus directly impacting client’s bottom line as well as
BoomTown’s bottom line.
SEM Analyst ❖ May 2014 - February 2016
Technologies used: Google Adwords, Bing Ads, Google Analytics, Google Apps Script, Adwords Script, Marin, Kenshoo, Acquisio
● Managed Adwords accounts and improved advertising return on advertising for over 1000+ real estate customers
Education
University of Kentucky ❖ Lexington, KY
International Studies, focus on International Development in Latin America
