Rob Nielsen Email & Phone Number

Scottsdale, Arizona, Us

Leading and managing a team of Software Engineers for the Imagine Learning At Home division.

London, Gb

Software Engineering Director for K-12 Education Assessment products - Transcend, TestNav 8 server, and TestNav apps. Transcend is an interim assessment that is used to measure and track student progress through the school year. TestNav 8 is an online testing product used to deliver millions of assessments per school year. Both products provide RESTful web services that are protected by OAuth. The APIs are written in Java, utilize the Play Framework, packaged in Docker containers, and deployed to AWS. Besides providing RESTful web services, Transcend provides embeddable widgets to display reports and configure the assessments using an iframe. The TestNav apps are used by students to securely take assessments on their devices (Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows).● Took Transcend from concept to product, used by 36 school districts across 5 states● Key stakeholder for Transcend, representing Software Engineering on all decisions for the product● Managed a distributed team of Software Engineers based in Bloomington, MN and Iowa City, IA with a budget of $5M● Worked with distributed teams across Pearson to integrate both products with various other Pearson systems● Successfully delivered multiple on-time releases of Transcend, TestNav 8, and TestNav apps● Led agile teams utilizing iteration planning, sprints, retrospective, etc.● Developed tools and examples for Transcend using Python, JavaScript, and Node.js● Used tools such as Jira for issue tracking and project management, Git for source control, Jenkins for continuous integration and continuous deployment, and Confluence for documentation● Participated in on-site visits with potential customers (school districts) and partners for Transcend● Visited schools across the country to observe and learn how to improve Pearson products● Performed 1-1s, reviews, and salary administration of employees● Interviewed, hired, and mentored new employees and consultants

London, Gb

Software Engineering Manager for TestNav 8 server, TestNav apps, TestNav 7.5 server and TestNav 7.5 applet. TestNav 8 is the latest version of the TestNav which is deployed in the cloud at AWS and uses open source components. TestNav 7.5 used proprietary software (Weblogic, Oracle, Sonic ESB) and was deployed in a data center. The applet was used to secure the device to reduce chances of cheating along with protecting content and student data.● Provided leadership of TestNav 8 server and apps development from initial design through multiple releases● Provided leadership of TestNav 7.5 server and applet development from the first release through retirement● Managed a distributed team of Software Engineers, Business Analysts, Project Managers, and Quality Analysts located in Bloomington, MN, Iowa City, IA, Portland, OR, and India● Worked with distributed teams across Pearson to integrate both products with various other Pearson systems● Successfully delivered multiple on-time releases of TestNav 8 server, TestNav 7.5 server, apps, and applet● Led agile teams utilizing iteration planning, sprints, retrospective, etc.● Designed and created prototypes for the Chrome OS, Android, and Desktop (Linux, macOS, Windows)TestNav apps● Collaborated with Apple, Google, and Microsoft to ensure the TestNav apps are able to properly secure the devices on their respective products

London, Gb

Principal Software Architect for multiple Java/J2EE projects and products● Defined architecture and provided technical leadership of the QGlobal assessment platform● Managed and led development of a data exchange for the NBPTS project● Provided technical leadership and implemented new functionality with the Assists assessment product