Experience

• Software Developer

  Impossible Bureau

  2022-2023

  As part of a small, agile team, build and maintain React web applications and Node.js APIs using GraphQL, TypeScript, JavaScript, Next.js, Redux, Three.js, and more.

  • Contributed to the development and maintenance of 4 React web applications. Tech: TypeScript, JavaScript, React.js, Next.js, GraphQL, Redux, Three.js, Styled Components, GSAP, Vercel, Contentful.

  • Designed and developed REST API (Node.js + TypeScript) responsible for content delivery, events, and ticketing services for a major client. Tech: TypeScript, Node.js, Redis, Heroku, Contentful, Ticketure.

  • Developed and maintained numerous reusable responsive React components ranging from atoms and containers to complex form inputs, media players, and calendars. Tech: Storybook, Styled Components, GSAP, Figma.

• Technical Project Manager

  Night Channels

  2018-Present

  Maintain Shopify storefront with $1.6 million in net sales over 6 years, overseeing 55% growth from $206,000 in 2018 to $320,000 in 2022, and improving customer return rate from 10% in 2018 to 28% in 2022.

  • Web Development

    Maintain databases of 3,000 products with 120,000 variants, and 38,000 orders from 28,000 customers. Implement numerous front end customizations and API connections using JavaScript, Liquid, and CSS

• Full Stack Web Developer

  Independent Projects

  2020-Present

  3000+ hours on independent projects and courses using React, Node.js, Svelte, SvelteKit, Three.js, Next.js, and postgres/SQL, as well as TypeScript, JavaScript, CSS/SASS, and HTML.

  • Full Stack Event Platform

    (metagame.show) Platform for custom tournaments and game shows, including dynamic event dashboards, profiles, and creator/fan accounts for interactivity and data capture. Built with TypeScript, React, Next, Node, Postgres/SQL, TypeORM, Supabase

  • Full Stack Multiplayer Game App

    (mhk.vercel.app) Social deduction game, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, built with ReactJS, Node.js/Express, and Socket.IO. Hosted cross-origin on Vercel and Heroku.

  • React App

    (GitHub Repository) Custom hooks for HTTP requests (Fetch API), Socket.IO, form validation, and session authorization, user context, text chat and server messages, modals. Styled with SASS/SCSS.

  • Node.js REST API

    (GitHub Repository) Full scripting of complex game logic; persistent, private lobbies; HTTP routes; CORS handling; session cookies.

  • Personal Website

    (scottsilsbe.com / GitHub Repository) Responsive SPA built with vanilla HTML / CSS / JavaScript, later rebuilt with Svelte and SCSS. Features: light/dark mode with saved prefs, CSS transitions, JSON-based data storage. Hosted on Vercel.

  • Full Stack Web Development

    Completed the Odin Project's Full-Stack JavaScript curriculum, as well as additional courses in React, Svelte, MongoDB, the MERN stack, and object oriented programming.

• Interactive Event Producer

  Contracts + Projects Under Personal Brand

  2015-2020

  Led production of 40+ gaming events with 3800+ attendance, including escape rooms and events at gaming conventions such as GEN CON and PAX.

  • Creative Design + Production

    Led the design, development, and execution of over 40 live events for 3800+ total attendees, ranging from escape rooms and wedding receptions to geopolitical simulations and team-building events.

  • Project Management

    Assembled and led teams of multi-disciplinary professionals to produce and run complex gaming events at 8 major conventions and expos, regularly selling out.

  • Narrative + Interaction Design

    Specialist in interactive, gamified events using narrative and theme to achieve event objectives within given space, time, and budgetary constraints.

  • Procedures + Technical Documentation

    Designed, documented, and tutorialized gamified live team-based events requiring precise timing as well as complex facilitation and bookkeeping procedures.

  • Game + Puzzle Design

    Contracted by 5 firms to produce games, puzzles, and quizzes for live events and proprietary digital platforms, resulting in successful products experienced by thousands of players.

  • Talent + Influencer Relations

    Built relationships with top-tier media influencers in tabletop gaming, leading to product plugs and positive reviews in 10+ podcasts and on YouTube.

  • Partnerships

    On strength of event offerings at 2019 gaming conventions, invited to run events at Gen Con 2020, securing a 200,000 square foot space. (Planning was well underway when the convention was cancelled due to COVID-19.)

  • Simultaneous Projects

    5 years spent balancing multiple creative projects, in addition to business development, branding, marketing, social media, budgeting, etc.

• Production Coordinator

  Games for Change

  2019

  Collaborated on a cross-functional team to produce the 2019 G4C Festival with attendance of over 1200.

  • Project Management

    Coordinated work of 12 junior producers, event team members, and 'super-volunteers' during 7 day pre-Festival production sprint.

  • Digital Content Management

    Oversaw production and organization of digital Festival content and collateral, managing databases, deploying content updates to the live Wordpress website, making design edits and CDN changes when needed, and serving as final checkpoint for accuracy and quality.

  • Team Leadership + Community Management

    Recruited, trained 150 volunteers, maintaining motivation and engagement over 2 months through email outreach, digital meet-ups, and live events, resulting in smallest volunteer falloff of any G4C Festival.

  • Live Event Coordination

    Managed volunteer teams (organized into over 500 shifts and 10 distinct roles) throughout the Festival, allocating personnel, overseeing output, and problem solving as necessary.

• Project Manager / E-Learning Product Designer

  Shoo-in

  2016-2018

  Career guidance and ESL startup based in China. Recruited as Project Manager; transitioned to product design and development role in early 2018. (Changing geopolitical situation led to closure of US office.)

  • Digital Product Development

    Collaborated with curriculum lead to oversee team of 16 remote developers, resulting in creation of over 200 interactive ESL lessons on the Articulate web-learning platform.

  • Interactive Design

    Produced 24 'concept' lessons (and supporting documentation) featuring complex gamification and narrative design for POC demonstration to financiers and other stakeholders.

  • Quality Assurance

    Served as final check on lessons, documentation, and other collateral for accuracy, functionality, and adherence to SOPs before delivery.

  • Project Management

    Managed and mentored 26 junior analysts on multiple teams to produce 7 50-100 page equity and market research reports.

• Manager, Operations + Development

  HireOwl

  2014-2016

  Worked closely with founders of this small edtech startup; involved in all aspects of the business.

  • Product Development

    Used market research, user surveys, A/B tests, and case studies to iterate and refine platform features, and prioritize development given budget and time limits.

  • Technical Project Management

    Oversaw and coordinated work of 3 remote front and back-end developers and designers, including 3 major feature updates, a rebrand/front-end overhaul, and numerous minor updates.

  • Partnerships

    Worked with founders to build partnerships with career centers at over 40 schools, growing active student user base to over 30,000. Maintained partner and user database in Salesforce.

  • Project Management

    Recruited and managed team of 15 students to source and begin outreach to 3,300 key decision makers at more than 1,000 colleges and universities, ultimately bringing 12 new institutions to the platform.

  • Business Development

    Spearheaded coworking space outreach, resulting in partnerships with 5 offices in NYC and Boston.

• Producer, Live + Online Events

  4GoodDigital

  2015

  Short-term position at the Noise4Good startup, intended as a web-platform for musicians to host digital fundraising campaigns for nonprofit organizations. Responsibilities included product management, digital and live events, branding, and whatever else needed doing.

  • Product Design

    Gathered and organized survey results from 200+ users as well as engagement metrics and feedback from stakeholders, producing a detailed report for 4GoodDigital founders and development team.

  • Digital Events

    Oversaw 7 day development sprint (including UI updates and bug fixes) and managed launch of 3 POC digital campaigns, raising over $4,000 for charity.

  • Event Coordination

    Produced 5 intimate gatherings for strategic partners, investors (both onboard and prospective), and musicians, featuring live performances and product demos at high-end venues and coworking spaces, with total attendance of over 250.