Josh
McAdams

Software Engineer & Educator

Josh McAdams' Photo
I am a skilled software engineer with experience building high-impact full-stack systems and backend infrastructure for both large corporations and startups. I thrive as an individual contributor and have a proven track record of leading and managing engineering teams. My passion for software development, coupled with my dedication to continuous learning and mentorship, fuels my enthusiasm for delivering exceptional results.
I'm proficient in a variety of programming languages including Java, Python, SQL, Kotlin, Go, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Perl, and C++.
Through my career I have delivered impactful APIs, full-stack web applications, distributed data pipelines, advanced analytics, and stand-alone applications across diverse technology stacks.
These solutions have been built on technology stacks that include server frameworks such as Boq and AppEngine; relational databases such as DB2, Oracle, and Spanner; NoSQL databases such as Bigtable and Firestore; and UI toolkits such as Wiz and JQuery.
Woodinville, Washington, USA
+1 312 285 0803

Software Engineering

  • 2008-Present

    Software Engineer & Site Reliability Engineer; Google
    Experienced Software and Site Reliability Engineer with a track record of success across Google's Ads, Cloud, and Education product areas. Expertise in designing, building, and scaling distributed systems, data pipelines, and APIs. Key achievements include:

    • Leading a team that consolidated internal systems, generating over $500 million in annual workforce savings.
    • Developing a shared control plane for Cloud services, accelerating API time-to-market by months while unifying functionality and regulatory compliance.
    • Building computational bidding pipelines managing tens of billions in advertising spend, optimizing campaign performance for customers.
    • Managing a team involved in migration of Google's largest acquisition to date, resulting in a multi-order magnitude return on investment.
  • 2006-2008

    Software Engineer & Software Engineering Manager; DoubleClick/Performics
    Delivered key features for an industry-leading advertising platform. Led and mentored a high-performing engineering team in a fast-paced, agile environment, in the development of data warehousing and reporting solutions, providing actionable insights to customers.
  • 2000-2006

    Industry Solutions Architect; Acxiom
    Delivered custom data warehousing solutions that optimized business intelligence and decision-making for major clients including Blockbuster, Home Depot, and Neiman Marcus. Responsibilities spanned presales consultation, design, and implementation.
  • 1998-2000

    Software Engineer; Disciple Software
    Developed software solutions to improve organizational efficiency and streamline manufacturing processes. Key projects include organization/donation management software and CNC milling driver software with G-Code generation for custom boat construction.

Teaching

  • CS 151: Computer Programming I - 2023

    Hampton University - hamptonu.edu
    Led instruction for the Java-based introductory Computer Science course for the entire freshman class of 2023. Developed and delivered lectures, mentored students, designed and graded projects, and provided support for student clubs and organizations.
  • Intro to Software Development - 2023

    University of Chicago - uchicago.edu
    Empowered aspiring software developers through a dynamic bootcamp-style program in partnership with ThriveDX and the University of Chicago Continuing Education. Delivered engaging introductory sessions and guided students through hands-on projects using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, equipping them with foundational coding skills
  • Intro to Software Development - 2023

    University of Nevada Las Vegas - continuingeducation.unlv.edu
    Empowered mid-career professionals to pursue new opportunities in web development through the UNLV Continuing Education certificate program. Delivered engaging introductory instruction, equipping students with in-demand skills to enhance their career prospects and earning potential.
  • Intro to Software Development - 2022

    San Diego State University - sdsu.edu/
    Guided students with varying levels of experience through a comprehensive curriculum covering web development principles and software industry best practices. Coursework empowered both entry-level and mid-career professionals to enhance their skills and advance their career goals.
  • Applied Machine Learning Intensive - 2018

    Mills College - mills.northeastern.edu
    Empowered non-technical professionals to leverage machine learning within their fields through an intensive 11-week (450-hour) bootcamp. Developed and delivered a comprehensive curriculum covering classic models (linear regression) to modern neural networks. This program, supported by NACME and Google.org, has been adopted by multiple universities, expanding access to essential machine learning skills.
  • CS 150: Introduction to Programming I - 2016

    Dillard University - dillard.edu
    Developed and delivered a Python-based computer science curriculum for freshmen, incorporating community-focused projects in partnership with the local non-profit Evacuteer. This initiative provided students with practical experience, fulfilled their volunteer hour requirements, and fostered a sense of civic engagement.

Personal Projects

  • Python - TensorFlow - PyTorch - ScikitLearn

    Applied Machine Learning Intensive - github.com/google/applied-machine-learning-intensive
    Developed a 450-hour bootcamp empowering students to integrate machine learning into their specialized fields. Successfully launched the program at Mills College, with subsequent consultations for implementation at Scripps and Agnes Scott Colleges. The curriculum's impact expanded nationwide through adoption by NACME and a $10 million grant from Google.org, enabling its delivery at universities across the United States.
  • Python - JQuery - JavaScript

    Teen Living Programs (now Ignite) - ignitepromise.org/
    Collaborated with a team of industry professionals through Taproot Foundation to design and develop a new website for Teen Living Programs (TLP). Utilized PHP and MySQL to integrate the site with TLP's existing systems, ensuring seamless data flow and enhanced functionality.
  • Perl - Podcasting

    Perlcast - perlcast.com
    Created and hosted a popular podcast that reached over 10,000 listeners per episode at its peak. Featured interviews with industry professionals and Perl enthusiasts, fostering a vibrant community and providing valuable insights into the language and its applications

Tools

  • Colab - Jupyter - Anaconda - TensorFlow - PyTorch - ScikitLearn - Gemini

    Machine Learning
    Developed neural networks using Python-based tools for educational purposes, demonstrating practical applications of machine learning concepts. Leveraged the Gemini API to integrate cutting-edge AI capabilities into various products, enhancing functionality and user experience.
  • Firestore - Bigtable - Spanner - DB2 - Oracle - Postgres - MySQL

    Database Systems
    Designed and implemented high-performance databases for mission-critical applications and data warehouses supporting multi-million dollar business operations. Expertise in database technologies spans application support, analytics, and data warehousing. Optimized complex queries, performed seamless migrations, and ensured data integrity and availability.
  • Boq - AppEngine - Firebase - Apache - nginx

    Server Systems
    Designed, built, and supported a diverse range of applications, from single-server to serverless and distributed systems. Led all stages of the software development lifecycle, including framework selection, system design, implementation, instrumentation, and ongoing support.
  • Wiz - JQuery - TailwindCSS - React - GWT

    UI Frameworks
    Developed and implemented user interfaces (UIs) for a variety of public and private web applications, ensuring adherence to design specifications and optimal user experience. Proficient in UI testing methodologies, utilizing screenshot testing and tools like Jasmine, Selenium, and WebDriver to guarantee functionality and responsiveness across different platforms
  • Mecurial - Git - Perforce - SVN - CVS

    Source Code Management
    Experienced in leveraging DevOps principles and tools to streamline software development workflows. Proficient in a range of source code management systems and CI/CD tools to automate build, test, and deployment processes, ensuring rapid and reliable software delivery.

Education

  • 1997-2001

    Bachelor in Computer Science, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, USA
    Graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Interdiciplinary Studies (Honors Program).
  • In Progress

    Doctor of Information Systems, University of Arkansas Little Rock, Little Rock, AR, USA
    Pursuing a PhD in Information Systems with a current GPA of 4.0. Completed all coursework with distinction and am currently engaged in research to fulfill dissertation requirements.
  • 2006-2007

    Dooly Management and Leadership Training
    Completed an intensive year-long leadership and management program conducted by The Dooley Group, enhancing skills in communication, strategic thinking, team building, and organizational effectiveness.

Outreach

  • 2020, 2024

    Breakthrough AI - tech.cornell.edu
    Mentored and guided women in tech through Cornell University's program providing small group coaching on AI projects. Fostered collaborative learning and skill development in a supportive environment, empowering participants to advance their expertise in artificial intelligence.
  • 2024

    BASTA - projectbasta.com
    Mentored early-career technologists through one-on-one coaching, providing personalized guidance on career development and interview preparation. Supported their professional growth by fostering confidence, refining technical skills, and enhancing interview strategies.
  • 2016, 2023

    Google in Residence
    Mentored and coached incoming freshmen in computer science programs at Dillard University and Hampton University, two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Contributed to initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in the technology sector by fostering a supportive learning environment and providing guidance to underrepresented students.
  • 2020-present

    Tech Exchange
    Contributed to Google's Tech Exchange program as a project coach, speaker, and instructor, empowering students with a comprehensive education in data structures and algorithms, software engineering, and artificial intelligence. The program, developed in partnership with industry and academia, provides a cutting-edge curriculum to foster the next generation of tech leaders.
  • 2017-present

    Student Training in Engineering Program (STEP)
    Supported first- and second-year university students pursuing careers in technology through a comprehensive program designed to increase representation of underrepresented groups. Served as a project coach, speaker, instructor, interviewer, and interview committee participant providing guidance and mentorship to prepare students for success in the tech industry

Publications and Patents

  • Patent

    US 9367583 B1 - Systems And Methods Of Generating Content Performance Metrics
  • Book

    Effective Perl Programming 2nd Edition, Pearson Publishing

Connect

Original template © by pixelcave