Independent technical advisory

Senior technical guidance for difficult software and AI decisions.

I help founders and engineering leaders make better decisions about software architecture, AI-assisted development, technical risk, and product delivery.

When a technical decision is expensive, unclear, or difficult to reverse, I provide a direct, independent perspective grounded in engineering leadership and founder experience.

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I keep the practice intentionally small so each engagement receives focused attention.

Technical lead supporting VA.gov services AI adoption leadership across a 184-person engineering organization Founder of a multimillion-dollar marketplace

When an independent perspective helps

The wrong technical decision can cost months before the real problem becomes visible.

I help clients identify the decision that matters, understand the tradeoffs, and leave with a practical path forward.

Technical second opinions

Obtain an experienced independent review before committing to an expensive technical plan, vendor proposal, or engineering direction.

AI product and implementation risk

Evaluate how AI belongs in a product, where it introduces risk, and what is required to make the implementation testable and maintainable.

Architecture and codebase decisions

Determine whether to rebuild, refactor, stabilize, or leave a system alone—and understand the consequences of each option.

AI-assisted engineering

Establish practical ways for engineering teams to use tools such as Claude Code and coding agents without losing quality, ownership, or control.

Founder and product decisions

Connect technical choices to product scope, customer value, cost, delivery risk, and the realities of operating a business.

Development has become slow or unpredictable

Identify what is actually causing delays, fragility, or rising cost—and which intervention is most likely to help.

Ways to work together

Focused engagements built around a clear decision.

Each service is designed to answer a defined question, produce practical recommendations, and conclude with a clear path forward.

Most accessible starting point

Technical Working Session

$500

A focused 90-minute session for one significant technical, architectural, AI, or product-development problem.

  • 90-minute private session
  • Direct recommendations
  • Written recap and next steps

Best for evaluating an existing system

Technical Risk Review

Starting at $2,500

An independent review of an application, architecture, technical proposal, development process, or proposed software initiative.

  • Agreed review scope
  • Risk assessment
  • Prioritized written findings

Best for AI products and workflows

AI Engineering Review

Starting at $2,500

A focused review for teams adopting AI-assisted development, evaluating AI-generated code, or building an AI-enabled product.

  • Workflow or architecture review
  • Quality and control assessment
  • Practical recommendations
Experience from both sides of the table

Engineering judgment shaped by building systems, leading teams, and operating a business.

I currently serve as a senior software engineer and technical lead supporting veteran-facing services on VA.gov, where I help guide architecture, technical planning, delivery, code review, and engineer development for secure public-facing systems.

I also founded and lead an AI Community of Practice serving a 184-person engineering organization, helping engineering teams adopt Claude Code, agentic coding workflows, and practical AI-assisted development practices.

Before returning to software engineering full time, I founded and scaled a multimillion-dollar online marketplace. I understand technical decisions from both sides: the engineer responsible for building the system and the founder responsible for customers, revenue, cost, and survival.

AI adoption 184-person engineering organization Organization-wide AI adoption and enablement leadership
Test automation 68% reduction in test execution Through intelligent test selection, while also reducing test time by 55%
Founder experience Multimillion-dollar marketplace Founded and scaled an online marketplace before returning to full-time engineering

Professional experience includes Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, React, PostgreSQL, APIs, testing infrastructure, CI/CD, developer tooling, technical leadership, and sophisticated LLM evaluation and AI-assisted engineering systems.

Working style

Direct analysis without consulting theater.

  1. Start with the real decision

    Before reviewing technology, clarify what decision must be made and what consequences matter.

  2. Separate risk from noise

    Identify the few issues that materially affect cost, delivery, reliability, maintainability, or business value.

  3. Explain the tradeoffs

    Make technical considerations understandable without oversimplifying them.

  4. Leave with a practical path

    Produce recommendations that can actually be implemented by the team and within the constraints that exist.

A good fit for focused, consequential questions.

Good fit

  • Independent architecture review
  • AI product or workflow review
  • Technical second opinion
  • Founder technical strategy
  • Evaluating an existing application
  • Reviewing a vendor or contractor proposal
  • Understanding an AI-generated codebase
  • Determining what to build or fix next

Not the right fit

  • Full-time or near-full-time contracting
  • General staff augmentation
  • Emergency production support
  • Unlimited Slack access
  • Large implementation projects
  • Low-cost feature development
  • Open-ended retainers
  • Work requiring daily, always-on availability
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do you provide software development services?

These engagements focus on analysis, direction, and independent review. Limited hands-on review may be included when needed, but I am not currently offering general feature development, staff augmentation, or emergency production support.

Do you work with nontechnical founders?

Yes. I can translate technical findings into business implications and help founders evaluate technical plans, applications, vendors, and development risks.

Can you review confidential information?

Yes, subject to an appropriate confidentiality agreement and conflict review. Do not submit confidential source code or sensitive information through the initial contact form.

Do you offer ongoing retainers?

The practice is intentionally focused on bounded sessions and reviews. Ongoing arrangements are considered only in exceptional circumstances.

When are sessions available?

I accept a limited number of engagements so each project receives focused attention. Meetings are scheduled by mutual availability, and all engagements are conducted remotely.

Do you perform security audits?

No. I can identify general architecture and engineering concerns, but formal security audits, penetration testing, and compliance certifications require specialized providers.

Have a technical decision that deserves an independent review?

Describe the problem, the decision you are facing, and what would make the engagement useful. I review every request personally.

Request a Consultation

Engagements are scheduled by mutual availability and conducted remotely.