Ray Merkler Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States

Developed software for United States Navy customers. Worked with teams of engineers, program managers, and customer experts to determine requirements and track them through delivery while implementing and testing changes. Presented work proposals to government program stakeholders. Drafted, maintained, and updated technical documentation.Major Deliverables:Produced technical proposal for upgrades to DDG1000 HM&E systems that will enhance operational resilience by encapsulating DC and MCS functionality into a portable hardware/software module that can be rapidly deployed to provide redundancy in the event of broader system failures. Worked with team of developers to analyze existing architecture and infrastructure and devise solutions. Was responsible for all technical writing. Presented findings to DDG1000 and DDG(X) stakeholders, receiving enthusiastic response and enriching the company’s customer relationship.Built a DISA STIG compliant CentOS Linux virtual machine environment in which to run various data analysis tools, producing a portable data analysis solution that can be deployed on most desktop computers with minimal setup. Required substantial customizations to comply with strict DISA STIG requirements. Delivered product to customer on a tight deadline to support imminent program underway operations. Provided ongoing customer support and tool updates after delivery.

King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States

Alongside engineering duties, applied broad cross-discipline STEM and community leadership experience to the company’s recruiting process across all workforce roles.Interviewed candidates and evaluated their STEM qualifications with an eye toward human skills and unconventional backgrounds that could broaden and enrich the company culture in the long term.Used interpersonal skills to help qualified yet less confident candidates overcome the anxiety-inducing power dynamic of the job hunt experience to give compelling interviews.Identified and reported on opportunities for growth in company inclusion and antibias practices while carefully noting gaps in own knowledge and self-educating whenever possible at all times.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Contributed to the development of Space Hero, an upcoming reality program in which contestants will compete to participate in a mission to the International Space Station, scheduled to begin in 2023.Consulted on public and social media messaging; product and marketplace design; and mobile web design.Differentiated self with emphasis on inclusion and access equity, proposing technology solutions intended to mitigate barriers to participation and help the show reach the widest possible audience.Proposed media stories and established relationships with mission contributors on new achievements in the global space community, such as Quetzal-1, Guatemala’s first satellite, designed and built by the students and faculty of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and launched to space in March 2020.

During medical difficulties that prevented full-time work beginning in 2011, took advantage of freelance and gig opportunities to extend savings until health could support full-time work again in 2020.Freelance work included software contracts for other video game companies as well as clients from health insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Most projects focused primarily on Unity/C#.While driving for rideshare networks around Philadelphia, took advantage of continuous, rapid exposure to diverse customers to practice conversational STEM communication skills, developing a lightweight popular science rhythm on topics ranging from box multiplication to rocket science.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Fulfilled a key role in bringing GameLoop, an annual multi-discipline conference dedicated to video and tabletop game development and community interaction launched in Boston in 2008, to Philadelphia.Worked with co-organizer and founders to develop safe space policies, marketing strategies, promotional design and art, and website content.Presented public face for community and media outreach efforts. Served as MC. Coordinated day-of logistics. Led roundtable discussions about mental health. Made the T-shirts.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Actively worked within the local community to grow the independent gaming industry in Philadelphia.Organized and spoke at community events such as GameLoop, Philly Dev Night, and BarCade.Gave interviews to local media such as Technical Philly and Geekadelphia.

Operated one-person video game company. Responsible for programming, art, animation, sound, and music, supplemented by contractors from throughout the local industry.Released Fortress, a 2-player medieval siege strategy game designed around French suited playing cards, built with the Cocos2D engine using Objective-C, on iOS in 2011.Games under development at end of operations were built with the Unity engine using C# and Javascript.

Moorestown, Nj

Developed early requirements for Software Reliability Initiative as part of company’s Six Sigma efforts.Developed and deployed data analysis systems for United States Navy DDG and CGN programs. Worked in Java, C, C++, and Fortran. Deployed software to Windows, Solaris, and VAX systems.Frequently entrusted with high urgency, emergent situations that required rapid troubleshooting and resolution of software issues to meet testing and underway needs.Developed diligent and thorough technical writing expertise while tracking complex requirements through implementation and testing.