Mobile Engineer
Mike DiGiovanni
About Mike
Award-winning Android developer and game creator with a passion for pushing the boundaries of technology. Recognized by Cannes Lions, SxSW, and Intel for innovation in digital craft and interactive experiences. Contributor to open-source projects, including Pinball Maps and Open Artemis. Excels in developing software for emerging platforms, including wearables, AR/VR, and excessively large touch screens. Avid reverse engineer—kickstarted a modding community for Fire Pro Wrestling, added multiplayer to Slime Rancher, and developed innovative software for Google Glass leveraging restricted hardware without an SDK. Proven track record of building high-impact applications, including featured apps in the Play Store.
Skills
Proficient with
Android
Kotlin
Java
Unity
C#
git
REST
JSON
Dagger
Unit Testing
Reverse Engineering
Jetpack
Robolectric
integration testing
Coroutines
Compose
Mockito/Mockk
Familiar with
Swift
Python
Javascript
HTML
CSS
Objective-C
C++
C
iOS development
Node JS
React Native
Hudson
Jenkins
Build Kite
Circle CI
AWS
Google Cloud Services
Firebase
Azure
RXJava
Work Experience
Wayfair
Remote
eCommerce
Staff Engineer
2020-07 – Present
- Worked on the Wayfair app for Android across the Platform Architects, Shop, Growth, and Mobile Architects Working Group teams.
- Led teams of 2-4 Android developers.
- Led the Android development of Scribe 2.0, our internal analytics and event tracking platform, as part of the platform architects team.
- Worked with marketing analytics teams to debug tracking issues in the Wayfair App, leading to a 90% reduction in time between event generation and sending as well as a 30% increase in delivery of events.
- Developed a local developer tool in Swift UI to enable developer to manually test our app tracking, to the manual process.
- Created Swift UI desktop app to allow developers to monitor tracking from Android and iOS apps in real time. Saving thousands of man hours, decreasing tracking bugs in production, and increasing the the speed of deploying tracking changes.
- Discovered and fixed bugs related to push notification display rate and display, resulting in a significant increase in click-through rate for sent notifications
- Re-architected the view in room AR experience to improve performance and usability.
- Proven ability to quickly troubleshoot and debug issues in new areas of code.
- Mentored junior developers to improve their skills, knowledge, and get them promoted.
- Experienced in pair programming on remote teams to effectively collaborate and complete projects efficiently.
Isobar
NY
Digital Marketing Agency
Mobile Architect
2010-12 – 2020-07
- Managed, mentored, and interviewed developers in our mobile, Unity, and innovation disciplines.
- Developed native mobile SDKs to allow client developers to interact with Unity engine from their already developed native mobile applications.
- Developed functional prototypes and technical approaches for use in pitches.
- Architected and built Android applications with distributed teams, including mobile apps, system level apps, custom Android operating systems, wearables, and set-top-box hardware.
- Delivered Virtual Reality and AR applications using the Unity engine.
- Worked on cutting-edge Android devices, including Wearables, the Android Things platform, and Project ARA.
Augmate
NY
Wearables Device Management
Wearables Architect
2014-12 – 2015-11
- Led a team of Android developers in creating device management software for smart glasses, smartwatches, and phones
- Developed an Android application for flashing firmware in the field from a plain old Android phone.
- Contributed to backend Java and frontend Angular projects
- Provided technical guidance to OEMs integrating our software into Android wearables.
Barnes & Noble.com
NY
Technology Bookseller
Lead Android Developer
2010-12 – 2010-03
- Developed library loading technique to work around an Android platform bug that prevented pre-installed native libraries from being updated.
- Architected and led Android development team on the Nook eReader application for cell phones and tablets.
- Implemented architectural changes for the Nook Color based on my experience with the Nook eReader app cell phones and tablets. These recommendations have increased maintainability, stability, and user experience of the core Nook Color software.
Department of the Army
Fort Monmouth, NJ
DoD
Computer Scientist
2007-08 – 2010-03
- Served as project lead for night vision goggle heads-up display systems for helicopter platforms, including both embedded systems and a Windows-based hardware/software ruggedized test tool.
- Managed offsite contractors through the SDLC to several successful releases, and reviewed code and documentation for C++ and VB.net projects.
- Conducted technical analysis for the re-compete of multi-million-dollar contracts.
AIG
NJ
Insurance Company
Java Developer
2000-07 – 2007-06
- Developed internal Java software for both desktop and servers allowing agents to create new proposals and process renewals saving hundreds of man hours per employee over existing systems.
Open Source & Hobbyist Development
NJ
Software Developer
– Onward
- Hometeam game dev, contributed to multiple game projects over a period of several months. Improvements included UI scaling, stair collider fix, menu skybox improvement, end game explosion effects, debug cheats functionality, gamepad pause support, better targeting behavior for Cleaning Roots. For Comet Kicker, Color selection, various fixes (high score freeze, device detection, high refresh rate physics, spawn timers, collectible duration, move consistency, spawn frequency)
- Taikong, a Unity on rails shooter game, provided code optimizations and a settings menu.
- Sokoran, a Godot puzzle game. Better cursor interaction, assorted bug fixes (red dice behavior, missed click handling, removal at character position)
- Open source -
- Various personal projects for iOS and Android, DVD Profiler, Binly, Stern Insider Connected, Mixed reality at podcast, AAC, FSafari plugins, Live gift cards
- Contributed to Pinball Maps, a react native project. Developing new features and providing refactors to make app more resiliant. Updated documentation for contributors.
- Contributed to Open Artemis, a swift project for macOS and iOS, a privacy focused reddit client. Implemented bug fixes and features to improve open links from other sources.
- Podcast AI
- Contributed to Invoke AI, a javascript project. A gen AI tool for generating images. Contributed bug fixes.
- Developed a mod development framework for the Unity based game, Fire Pro World – Recently expanding to support many Unity games, including SUPERHOT
- VR Lightgun Arcade in Unity, including a custom MAME build and reverse engineering Arcade ROMs to go beyond pure emulation
- Numerous small Unity projects, samples, and explorations of technology, targeting arcade, mobile, and VR form factors
- Fitness
- Frequent contributor on several VR, and game development discords
- Game modding since the early days of Quake 1
- Innovator in native Google Glass development.
- Developed and distributed several Android software apps with over 500,000 combined users. Currently removed from the market due to inability to maintain. Happy to show developer console as proof.
- Before it closed, 2.5 million views on Google+, with an audience of many mobile developers.
- Strong interest in wearable computing with a focus on at-a-glance information. Has worked on software for the Android Wear, Pebble, WimmOne, MetaWatch, and Sony Smart Watch, including modifications to Google Authenticator to add smart watch functionality.
- Published applications to the Play Store, Blackberry App World, and Windows Store. Been involved in mobile development for personal usage since 2006, and have worked on personal software for the Sidekick and Windows Mobile devices as well.
Awards
Cannes Lion Digital Craft
Developed "Aeronaut," a virtual reality experience blending creativity and technology, featuring a hologram of Billy Corgan created with volumetric video at Microsoft's Mixed Reality Capture Studios and integrated into an interactive virtual world using Unity, Tilt Brush, and Blocks by Google. This project was awarded the Grand Prix for Digital Craft at Cannes Lions 2018 and Isobar has been listed by Fast Company as a Top 10 VR/AR innovation company.
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Interactive Innovation Award Finalist
Developed software for Google Glass that extends functionality to those with disabilities by creating hands free, voice free control of the device by using head and eye gestures.
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Invent Something Different, Isobar Value Award
Awarded Isobar's "Invent Something Different" recognition for driving innovation, embracing new ideas and technologies, and inspiring team members to explore new possibilities.
Intel Software Innovator
Recognized as an Intel Software Innovator for expertise in cutting-edge technologies, delivering innovative projects, and inspiring the developer community through impactful presentations and demonstrations with emerging technologies.
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Project Isaac Bronze Award
Awarded Adweek's Project Isaac Bronze Award for "Everyware," a Google Glass platform enabling navigation through winks and head tilts, with features later integrated into Google's standard Glass settings.
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Creativity Top 50
Recognized in Creativity Magazine's Top 50 for developing "Winky," a Google Glass app enabling photo capture with a wink, and "Bulletproof," a security app locking Glass upon removal, with the latter’s source code shared on GitHub to inspire further innovation.
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Featured application in the Android Market for dgAlert
Independently developed an improved notification app that was featured in the Android Market, providing users with capabilities to customize alerts when notifications were received.
Featured application in the Play Store for Comedy Central
Developed the Comedy Central Android app, which was selected as a featured app in the Play Store.
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Featured application in the Play Store for Wayfair
Developed the Wayfair Android app, which was selected as a featured app in the Play Store.
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Speaking Engagements
Wearables Tech Con
Gave talks on Creating Products for Google Glass at the Highest Level as well as Apple Watch development.
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Media Innovation Day
Presented insights on leveraging Google Glass for marketers and creative technologists, highlighting innovative opportunities in wearable technology
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Screens - Glass w/o Glass
Presented innovative methods for Google Glass development without hardware access, addressing challenges of limited device availability.
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HPX Digital
Delivered a presentation on leveraging Google Glass for creative technology applications in media and tech.
Mobile Innovation Camp - Mentor, Presenter
Served as a mentor at Digiday’s Mobile Innovation Camp, guiding rising mobile talent in a high-intensity brand hackathon. Provided strategic mentorship to teams developing mobile solutions for major brand challenges. Contributed expertise in mobile strategy and digital innovation alongside industry leaders from Saatchi & Saatchi, R/GA, MRY, and others. Supported a winning team in crafting a mobile experience for Olympic fan engagement, fostering athlete-user social connections.
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Education
B.S. & M.S. Software Engineering
Web Presence
Notable Projects
Wyndham VR
Isobar collaborated with Wyndham Worldwide to transform the vacation industry by creating a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) experience that revolutionized property showcases and increased sales. Addressing the challenge of enabling users to explore premier vacation destinations without traveling, the solution featured immersive, photorealistic VR content. This innovation brought life to locations such as the Chicago Wyndham Rooftop balcony, Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort, and the Great Smoky Mountains. The initiative stood out for its highly detailed and real-time rendered VR environments, setting a benchmark in the industry and redefining the way vacation destinations are experienced.
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Royal Caribbean AR
Royal Caribbean, in partnership with Firstborn, redefined at-sea entertainment with the groundbreaking _Expedition Two70_, the first fully immersive augmented reality (AR) experience built to function on a moving ship. Designed exclusively for the Two70 entertainment venue aboard Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ships, this innovative AR adventure debuted on the brand’s newest ship, _Spectrum_, which sails to destinations across the far East such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Japan.
Unlike traditional AR experiences designed for stable ground, Expedition Two70 overcame the unique engineering challenge of functioning on a moving ship. By leveraging custom-built AR anchors, the experience stabilizes despite the motion of the sea, delivering a smooth, immersive adventure. Guests can enjoy four thrilling challenges – _Ruin Blaster_, _Temple Raiser_, _Summit of Light_, and _Totem Recall_ – that transform the Two70 venue into an epic lost land, blending physical movement with dynamic gameplay to fully immerse users.
With its innovative use of technology and attention to detail, Expedition Two70 sets a new standard for AR at sea, offering a completely free and unforgettable experience through the Royal Caribbean app for all _Spectrum_ guests.
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Foot Locker AR – The Hunt
Developed **The Hunt**, an engaging augmented reality (AR) scavenger hunt experience for the Foot Locker iOS app. Enabled users to unlock geo-targeted clues across cities nationwide, leading to exclusive, limited-edition sneakers and products. Successfully integrated AR technology to enhance user engagement and create a unique gamified shopping experience.
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VR Lightgun
Virtual Reality project that integrates VR with lightgun games. "Integrated MAME into Unity",
"Reverse engineered arcade games to add VR interactions and HUDs
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Nook Color 1 – Reader Software
Development of the core software for the Nook Color eReader
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Pinball Maps
An app to track the locations of public pinball machines. Added additional badging and theming features..
Open Artemis
An iOS reddit client. Added additional features and fixed several bugs.
Galactic Grab
A game for 32 touch screen gaming tables, encouraging physical in-person play.