Hi, I'm

Jeff Ward

Cross-Disciplinary Software Engineer

I design, build, and rapidly iterate delightful software.

See my work

About

Jeff Ward

I'm a hands-on engineer who prototypes, experiments, and refines ideas until they sing. Assumptions get challenged, understanding deepens, and ideas from one domain often unlock solutions in another.

I started my career in hardware engineering and microcontroller verification. For the past eighteen years, I've worked in software startups in EdTech, building web-based products end-to-end — creating not only world-class apps and user experiences, but also the build systems, APIs, and internal tools that power them.

The recent surge of AI technology is especially exciting to me — it's unlocking new human-computer interfaces, accelerating ideas, and streamlining product development.

AI Skills & Workflows TypeScript JavaScript HTML / CSS UI/UX Web Apps LLMs Linux Bash Git Databases Systems Architecture Distributed Systems Type Systems Build Systems Debug & Profiling Product Design Networking & Sockets FFMPEG Streaming Video GPU Acceleration Haxe Ruby

Experience

Principal Software Engineer 2020 – Present
Saga Education · Newton, MA (Remote)
  • Leads the architecture and development of innovative solutions for real-time, interactive tutoring in math instruction.
  • Drives technical excellence and innovation, leveraging expertise in frontend technologies and UI/UX design to create user-centric platforms.
  • Mentors and collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions.
Co-Founder & Principal Engineer 2013 – 2020
Woot Math / Simbulus Inc. · Boulder, CO
  • Co-founded and led the development of Woot Math, an award-winning edtech platform focused on helping underserved students excel in math.
  • Led UI/UX design and client-side software architectures, driving innovation and delivering impactful learning experiences.
  • Successfully navigated the company through acquisition by Saga Education.
Senior Staff Software Engineer 2008 – 2013
The Walt Disney Company · Boulder, CO
  • Designed and built creativity apps and large-scale user-generated content systems for Disney's Create web platform.
  • Led the development of digital art brushes, ranking algorithms, and mobile apps.
Principal Engineer 2006 – 2008
Kerpoof LLC · Boulder, CO
  • Designed and built an award-winning web-based UGC creativity suite for kids, featured in TechCrunch 40.
  • Led product UI/UX design, driving innovation and delivering engaging digital experiences for young learners.
Design Engineer 2005 – 2006
Xilinx · Longmont, CO
  • Designed, verified, and optimized IP cores (parameterizable digital logic solutions) for Xilinx FPGAs.

Projects

A sampling of projects from my career — some polished, some side projects, some experiments... all built with passion for the craft.