Senior Software Engineer

Nathan Zook

520 Dennis Dr, Round Rock, TX 78664
512-310-7113
job@pierian-spring.net

PROFILE

Versatile Senior Programmer passionate about quality eager for tough challenges. Extensive experience in microprocessor validation, both x86 and PPC. Created tools needed to meet deadlines. Accelerated business process 6x. Became go-to guy for tool critical to Server and Technology Group at IBM. Readily extended Ruby on Rails framework to support local needs.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Languages: Ruby, Assembly (PPC and x86), Perl, HTML, CSS, Javascript
Tools: Ruby on Rails, Ruby GTK, Subversion, Make, Capistrano
Methodologies: Test Driven Design, Team Programming, OO Programming, REST
Older/Limited: Python, MS SQL, MySQL, C, C++, Mathematica, Bash, Forth

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Teamed with owner of existing tool to shape and create next generation implementation. Developed tool to extract and display project status from existing database. Valued for ideas outside job scope.

Aided in design and performed implementation of monitoring and display
module for cross-platform system stress tool.
Architected and implemented web-based tool to provide multi-level status
reporting for global system test organization using Ruby on Rails framework.
Summited patch to Rails for migration bug.
Extended Rails locally with GUID plugin.
Resolved multiple problems relating to Microsoft vs open standards.
Isolated and reported scoping problem for RSpec project. (http://rspec.info)

Staff Microprocessor Validation Software Engineer—IBM 2000-2006
Ported and extended bare-metal all-PPC-assembly test tool in support of processor validation efforts. Developed perl tool to track the presence of variables in registers through abi-less code. Recognized as sole expert on mission-critical group-wide tool. Led small team in validation tool development.

Reduced tool port time from six months for average port to one month for
major ports.
Accomplished ports included single- to multi-threaded and 64-bit to 32-
bit.
Perl tool developed to allow use of variables in assembly code.
Tool developed inside given deadlines for work on underlying code.
Increased productivity 50%.
Technical lead for five person team to support multitool multicustomer
validation effort.
Developed source control and bug tracking methodology to isolate customer
data without sacrificing common core benefits.
Patent filed for makefile template developed in support of validation needs.
As junior member, redirected focus of thirty-person tiger team towards
actual problem.
Reduced processor screen test time by more than 80% while retaining all
fails.
Created cache-flushing hack for OS-only fail (Mac OS X).
Methodology then imported to bare-metal tool, allowing bug to be
isolated to 2ms window after 10 hours run time in a repeatable fashion.
Corrected application note to double the set of failing cases.

FPU Validation Software Engineer—AMD 1996-2000
Supported FPU efforts in a variety of roles. Developed proof of accuracy of AMD Athlon processor transcendental functions. One man tiger teamed Linux memory detection bug on AMD Athlon processor. Delighted customer liasons.

Developed proof of accuracy of AMD Athlon transcendental algorithms.
Proof included two novel techniques.
Technique to improve selection of constants for transcendental functions
doubled accuracy, allowing a term to be dropped, increasing computation
speed 10%.
Analyzed AMD K5 divide microcode to identify and characterize “short cut”
opportunities.
Tripled the number of known failing cases for the K6 multiply bug overnight.
Developed assembly language floating point emulator for the AMD Athlon
processor.
Rewrote C++-based test suite for x87 transcendental functions to expand
features, enhance readability, improve accuracy, and ensure maintainability.
One man tiger team for Linux memory detection bug on AMD Athlon processor.
Determined root cause and workaround.
Wrote first ACPI memory detection routine for Linux kernel (true fix).
Maintained and expanded Samba-based test network (Linux/DOS).
Provided technical support to technical marketing team to document AMD
Athlon processor legacy FPU exception erratum.
Level of support shocked marketing team.
Final day: fielded hostile interview regarding capabilities of AMD Athlon
processor.

Database Manager and Opposition Research—Statewide General Election 1994

Developed various databases for campaign use.
Focus on importing and validating data.
Datamined official records for false, suspicious, and otherwise useful information.

Teaching Assistant-Univ. of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Mathematics 1992-1994

Sgt, SatCom Systems Specialist—Tennessee Air National Guard 1990-1992
SrA, SatCom Systems Specialist—United States Air Force 1987-1990

Education

M.A. Mathematics, University of Texas Austin 1995
Accepted into PhD program in 1994
Completed original research in preparation for orals
B.S. Mathematics, University of Tennessee Knoxville (magna cum laude) 1992

Continuing Professional Education, AMD and IBM:
Project Management, PPC Architecture, AMD64 Architecture, PCI Express Architecture, Perl, Forth, Open Firmware

Interests
Hacking (Including Linux Kernel. Most recent was Endgame: Singularity)
Hakkoryu Jujutsu
Parliamentary Law