Max Mcfarland Email & Phone Number

Mountain View, California, United States

I am a founder and partner at Insightful Mechanisms. Along with my partners, we help our clients develop new products and businesses based on new technologies. We assist others with business & technology ideation, technology strategy and roadmap, design and building of prototypes, and reference implementations. My focus is on full-stack (edge to cloud) software architecture, design, and implementation.

Portland, Oregon, United States

I founded this LLC to build a cohesive edge to cloud architecture that realize key concepts of edge based video capture – complimenting cloud side video processing. Designed and implemented numerous capabilities like remote device authentication, modular on-board software solution update, and system control, secure tunnels, onboard storage management, and highly flexible video recording and processing features that complimented AWS cloud side processing.

San Francisco Bay Area

Distinguished Software ArchitectRole:• Architect business enabling solutions for Ricoh’s Smart Vision Cloud Business.• Technical expert, responsible for the overall design, implementation, integration and operations of entire cloud platform.• Implement and productize highly complex cloud based services that require in-depth disciplinary knowledge• Closely partner with Businesses & Development teams, as well as IT around the globe (USA, Japan, India).• Rapidly prototype and conduct business trials for solutions targeted for the cloud.• Technical subject matter expert for Public Cloud Services, providers, and platforms.Tasks:• Fully automated build to deploy cloud service pipeline via Continuous Delivery, including TDD, Red/Black deployment, and automated scaling (up / down)• Lead development and evaluation of new / emerging technology, including applied machine learning, edge computing, and associated new cloud services• Develop, motivate and direct the global cloud platform team (USA, India).• Lead and manage cloud development via Agile methods and CD.Specialties: Cloud Computing, Systems Architecture Design, REST based services, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Agile Software Development, CI (Continuous Integration), CD (Continuous Delivery), Machine Learning in production systems, Lean Startup Methods.Kubernetes, Docker, Docker Swarm, Spinnaker, Chef, Puppet, Ansible, Vagrant, VMWare VCenter, Google Tensorflow, Java, C++, C#, Python. Ubuntu / Linux, Windows, MacOS, Raspbian

Tokyo, Japan

• International Assignment - Ricoh Japan• Promoted to Deputy General Manager & extended international assignment• Created and managed a new “New Business Creation” organization (45+ people).• Created the organizational structure, methods, criteria, and culture to drive Ricoh people to creating new business opportunities based on direct customer evidence• Integrated Agile methodology into new business creation process – allowing us to rapidly respond to changing customer needs and value.• Created Three (3) New Business Candidates (so far) approved to move to next funding stage.

Tokyo, Japan

• International Assignment - Ricoh Japan• Modernized Software Development in Ricoh Japan• Released 5 New Products in 18 months (best in Company)• Reduced Product Development Life-cycle from 14 months to 4 Months • Implemented Agile, Test Driven, and Continuous Integration Software Methodology• Trained & Lead a team of inexperienced developers to become company superstars• Conducted Customer Field Trials during development to validate product value

Cupertino, California

• Promoted to Director of Customer Research and Vice President• Led team of 10 skilled professionals to explore emerging needs of mobile workers, digital collaboration, and how mega trends are impacting businesses needs• Completed 15+ research projects (each 4-6 months) – partnering with external companies• Successfully create new Business line for Ricoh – App2Me• Awarded “World’s #1 Technology Award” for App2Me.• Created first program to bring Japanese Engineers to Silicon Valley to learn Lean, Agile, Customer Driven methodologies.• Transferred provable opportunities and technologies for future new businesses to Japan

Menlo Park, California

• Recruited into Ricoh’s R&D organization, run by world renowned Peter E. Hart.• Founding member of Customer Research Group, combining ethnographic study and rapid prototyping (engineering) to field trial new ideas and determine actual customer value.• Engineering Manager and Lead Engineer, rapidly integrating emerging technology or research concepts to deliver compelling value and user experiences.• Successfully led engineering team to create new features for existing businesses, and help company understand the changing needs of modern customers.

Cupertino, California

• Recruited into Ricoh’s first startup• Created the Ricoh eCabinet – a true network appliance for unconscious document capture• Managed team of 5 engineers and was Lead Engineer for all core data and document processing (OS, back-end processing, OCR, and data storage• Significantly contributed to the birth of a new business for Ricoh.

Mountain View, California

• Key engineer at Knowledge Management Startup• Developed parametric searching software for data retrieval.• Learned critically important lessons on why startups fail, such as building the wrong thing, not understanding real customer needs, and the challenges of startup management.

Cupertino, California

• Co-leader and senior member of Apple’s “Finder Team” – the front end user experience of the Apple experience.• Author of first concurrent copy engine – allowing users to have multiple copy (and other) operations running concurrently.• Developed and patented several new core user experience features (such as spring loaded folders, drawers, etc.)• Shipped OS version 7.0, 7.1 and others up to OS 8.5.• The most proficient “Bug Fixer” in the organization

Alamden Research Lab

• Developed software solutions for the State of California• Recommended by UCSC Dean of Computer Engineering – Patrick Mantey to intern for IBM while working on my degree.