Ethan Arrowood

Optimizing Software, Overcoming Summits

Ethan standing with his dog, Lincoln, over his shoulders (in a fireman carry). The background is a scenic summer day with a dirt trail, mountain peaks, trees, and other rocks and shrubs too.

Highlights

Summary

I am a seasoned Senior Software Engineer with nearly a decade of experience building scalable, high-performance systems and leading innovative development initiatives. My expertise spans distributed application platforms, cloud engineering, modern web technologies, and AI-driven development workflows. I have a proven track record at industry-leading companies including Harper, Vercel, and Microsoft. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated exceptional technical leadership by architecting enterprise solutions, contributing to open-source projects such as Node.js and Next.js, and contributing to prestigious organizations including OpenJS Foundation, WinterCG, and TC39.

Currently at Harper, I serve as a key core engineer developing our cutting-edge distributed application platform that unifies database, caching, and networking technologies into a single, high performance system. I lead development across multiple critical areas including the application plugin system, major front-end framework integrations such as Next.js and Astro, and our integrated GraphQL engine. Furthermore, I helped lead the replatforming of the documentation infrastructure to improve accessibility and development velocity. My work increasingly leverages AI tooling to accelerate development processes and explore innovative solutions to complex technical challenges.

I offer strategic consulting services through Alpine Moose Innovations, working with startups and established businesses across a range of technical domains including AI integration and strategy, custom application development, API and SDK engineering, and website development. I specialize in helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and integrate intelligent solutions into their technology stack. Contact me at ethan@arrowood.dev for inquiries about my consulting services.

Talks

YouTube playlist of all my talks

Experience

  1. Harper - Senior Software Engineer

    August 2024 - Present

    1. Developing a distributed, high performance application platform that integrates database, caching, streaming, and more into one cohesive system
    2. Leveraging high-performance Node.js and C++ to optimize the performance of the core product
    3. Created a new application plugin system ( Harper Plugin API ) that simultaneously simplifies the API while enhancing its capabilities.
    4. Lead the development of major front-end framework integrations including Next.js and Astro, and an integrated GraphQL engine.
    5. Replatformed the documentation site, improving the user experience and accessibility of the documentation as well as increasing the developer experience velocity.
    6. Contributing to the OpenJS Foundation and WinterTC organizations on behalf of the company focussing on improving the Node.js open source community and JavaScript interoperability.

  2. Alpine Moose Innovations - Founder & Consultant

    June 2024 - Present

    1. Founded a personal consulting company focused on delivering high-quality software solutions and advising services.
    2. Provided consulting services to various clients, including startups and established businesses, to help them achieve their software development goals.

  3. Vercel - Senior Software Engineer

    February 2022 - June 2024

    1. Maintained Vercel's core build platform supporting numerous runtimes, package managers, and frameworks
    2. Lead development of the configuration override feature enabling finer control of Vercel deployments
    3. Created the Vercel Azure DevOps Extension enabling improved CI/CD for enterprise customers
    4. Developed a comprehensive e2e testing suite for the zero config build pipeline
    5. Represented company at multiple open source organizations including OpenJS Foundation, WinterCG, and TC39
    6. Contributed multiple performance improvements to the Next.js framework, notably improving streaming throughput by 20%
    7. Created the experimental Next.js Test Mode feature for built in e2e testing

  4. Codecademy - Subject Matter Expert

    May 2021 - January 2024

    1. Subject Matter Expert for multiple courses and curriculums
    2. Courses: Node.js, WebSockets, and Build Tools
    3. Curriculums (career paths): Full Stack, Front-End, and Back-End

  5. Digital Ready - Computer Science Professional Advisor & Board Member

    January 2020 - December 2022

    1. Provided professional experience and feedback for the development of the AP CS and Year 13 curriculums
    2. Conducted professional development workshops for the AP Computer Science Cohort (March 2021)

  6. Microsoft - Software Engineer II

    November 2019 - January 2022

    1. Worked alongside Microsoft's largest partners, creating innovative solutions to solve real business challenges
    2. Exercised strong engineering fundamentals such as agile development, CI/CD, testing, and pair programming
    3. Built enterprise solutions utilizing many unique Azure services and modern cloud engineering toolsets

  7. Wentworth Institute of Technology - B.S. Computer Science

    September 2016 - August 2019

    1. Achieved Dean's List in all full-time semesters demonstrating continuous academic excellence
    2. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and an Applied Mathematics Minor
    3. Earned Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and Co-Curricular Involvement
    4. Member of ΦΣΠ National Honors Fraternity
    5. 2x Wentworth Professional Development Grant Recipient
    6. Participated in Wentworth Leadership Institute Phase 1 & 2
    7. Vice President of Wentworth Computer Science Society

    1. Microsoft - Software Engineering Intern

      July 2018 - December 2018

      1. Software Engineering intern on the Commercial Software Engineering team
      2. Worked with various technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, JavaScript (Node.js & React), Python (Flask), and Azure Cloud Platform

    2. GitHub Campus Expert

      June 2018 - August 2019

      1. Taught students how to use Git and the GitHub platform
      2. Mentored individuals making their first open source contributions

    3. Griffith University - Study Abroad

      February 2018 - June 2018

      1. Attended Griffith University in Gold Coast, Australia
      2. Studied computer science, international politics, and mathematics

    4. LeaderShape National Institute

      February 2018 - June 2018

      1. Experienced and practiced leading with integrity and facilitating change
      2. Embraced and ideated on challenges and solutions around diversity, inclusion, and accessibility

    5. Accelerate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center

      October 2016 - August 2019

      1. Practiced and demonstrated innovative problem-solving skills through a startup incubator-like program
      2. Taught and lead young entrepreneurs to solve problems using sustainable and innovative methods
      3. Co-developed programs facilitating solution-driven conversations solving Boston's most pressing issues

    6. HackWITus

      October 2016 - August 2019

      1. Co-developed hackathon for students with a mission to promote diversity and accessibility in our tech community
      2. Lead 10 + person coordinating team, recruited company sponsorships, and executed main event
      3. Managed an annual budget of $15,000 and an average attendance rate of 175 students

  8. Creative Click Media - Web Developer

    October 2015 - October 2016

    1. Developed custom solutions for local business websites using web development fundamentals