Dennis O'Brien
dennis _at_ dennisobrien _dot_ net


Work Experience

	Leapfrog Enterprises
	Project Engineer
	Emeryville, CA
	7/2003 to present
	
		Designed and developed solutions and tools to increase efficiency and 
		smooth the production process.
		Primary technologies: Python, C++

		Created educational games for the Leapster Game Platform.
		Primary technologies: Flash, C++, Python

		Created a framework for scripting Flash MX 2004 with Python.
		Primary technologies: C++, Python

		Created an extensible 2D level editor for platform games.
		Primary technologies: Python, wxPython, Flash (AS2)
		
		Supported groups of internal and external programmers on the Leapster Game Platform.

	Purple Monkey Studios
	Lead Programmer
	Chicago, Illinois
	3/2002 to 7/2003

		Architected and implemented large-scale, data-driven web applications.
		Primary technologies: Flash MX, Object-Oriented ActionScript, UML, XML

		Developed rapid prototypes of applications and games.
		Primary technologies: Flash MX, Flash Components, Python, C++ 

		Identified production bottlenecks, then designed and developed tools to 
		streamline production.
		Primary technologies: Python, C++, XML

		Defined functional specifications for client proposals and technical 
		specifications for team development.

		Collaborated with artists and clients to make compelling and entertaining 
		web experiences.
		Primary technology: Face-to-face communication.


	Freelance Developer
	Chicago, IL
	8/2001 to 3/2002
	
		Worked closely with game designers at VTechKids to develop game prototypes 
		for custom handheld devices.
		Primary technologies: Macromedia Flash 5

		Created custom e-commerce solutions for secure online transactions.
		Primary technologies: PHP, Python, PGP/GPG


	Jellyvision Interactive
	Lead Programmer
	Chicago, Illinois
	3/2000 to 8/2001

		Developed multi-player and single-player games and online experiences.
		Primary technologies: Macromedia Flash, Java, XML, and JavaScript.

		Designed and developed back-end systems to support multi-player games 
		and persistent user experiences.
		Primary technologies: Java, XML, JavaScript, and Perl.

		Designed and developed off-line tools to streamline production.
		Primary technologies: C++, Flash SDK, Python, and Perl.

		Worked closely with artists and designers to expand possibilities and 
		reduce work.
		Primary technology: Face-to-face communication.


	Instructional Technology Lab
	Consultant, Instructor
	University of Illinois at Chicago
	5/1998 to 2/2000

		Consulted University faculty and staff on design and implementation of 
		multimedia content for use in the curriculum.

		Created online guides, tutorials, seminar materials, and help pages 
		relating to instructional technology.

		Researched new software applications for web and multimedia development.


	SCAILAB Computer Center
	Graduate Assistant
	University of Illinois at Chicago
	8/1997 to 12/1998 

		Maintained a network of NT Workstations, Macs, and Novell servers in a 
		student lab environment.

		Administered UNIX webservers.

		Researched new software for lab security, administration, and pedagogy.


	Laboratory for Atmospheric Chemistry
	Research Assistant
	University of Chicago
	9/1993 to 9/1994

		Wrote programs in C to interface laboratory experiments with networked 
		computers.

		Assisted Professor Jon Abbatt in many aspects of research including 
		designing experiments, building equipment and analyzing results.


	Laboratory for Atmospheric Probing
	Research Assistant
	University of Chicago
	5/1993 to 9/1993

		Developed computer simulations in C to model rain drop distributions 
		and mixing.

		Analyzed 3-D radar data and created graphical charts.


	Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research
	Research Assistant
	University of Chicago
	5/1992 to 9/1992

		Developed computer programs in C to analyze sequences of digital 
		images of the Sun.


	National Science Foundation
	Science Intern
	Washington, D.C.
	6/1990 to 9/1990

		Selected and edited scientific research articles intended for 
		press releases.



Computer Skills

	Expert:
		Flash ActionScript (AS1 and AS2)
	Advanced:
		Python, C++, JavaScript, DHTML, PHP, Java
	Proficiency:
		OpenGL, DirectX, Microsoft MFC, MySQL, XML, Perl
	Competency:
		Java Servlets, JSP, Apache Webserver Administration



Education

	University of Illinois at Chicago
	Chicago, Illinois
		Graduate studies in Computer Science 1997-1999
		Academic interests: computer graphics, visualization, and animation.

	University of Chicago
	Chicago, Illinois
		B.A. in Physics 1996
		Academic interests: physics, astrophysics, and geophysics

	Christian Brothers High School
	Memphis, Tennessee
		Graduated with honors

       



References can be made available upon request.

web: http://dennisobrien.net
email: dennis _at_ dennisobrien _dot_ net