Projects

Kara Technologies

At Kara, I lead product and technical execution of an AI-powered Sign Language avatar translation platform. The core system translates written or spoken language into animated Sign Language in real-time, with approximately 10-second latency.

Product & Technical Ownership

  • Own end-to-end architecture across NLP, structured translation frameworks, runtime animation systems, human-computer interfaces, and cloud APIs.
  • Designed a proprietary notation and translation framework with governance and versioning for reliable iteration.
  • Delivered around 75% translation understandability on general tasks and near 100% correctness in critical domains, including public emergency messaging.
  • Maintain product direction by benchmarking new AI approaches against quality, latency, and cost targets.

Leadership & Team

  • Built and led multidisciplinary teams across AI/ML, software, graphics, linguistics, and infrastructure.
  • Set technical direction and delivery cadence from R&D to production deployments.
  • Hired, mentored, and retained high-performing technical staff, maintaining 0% voluntary attrition across intermediate and senior team members.

Enterprise Delivery

  • Lead enterprise technical discovery and solution design for senior stakeholders.
  • Own high-stakes customer delivery, including requirements translation, scope management, and roadmap alignment.
  • Supported in signed contracts and projects delivered or in progress.

Compliance, Security & IP

  • Lead security, privacy, and compliance workstreams used in enterprise procurement and risk reviews.
  • Achieved ISO 27001 certification and progressed SOC 2 readiness.
  • Drive IP strategy and execution, including a granted patent (US, UK, AU) for generating animated sentences for sign language translation.

Budgeting & Fundraising

  • Own technical, engineering, and delivery budgets, including headcount and infrastructure forecasting.
  • Prioritize spending across R&D and delivery while operating within budget constraints.
  • Supported strategy and technical diligence for 4 capital raises.

Technical Stack Snapshot

  • Languages and core tools: Python, C++, SQL, TypeScript/JavaScript
  • AI/ML: PyTorch, custom transformer implementations, NLP/NMT fine-tuning, reinforcement learning systems, LLM integrations
  • Real-time 3D: Unreal Engine (C++/Blueprints), skeletal animation systems, custom kinematics, performance optimization
  • Cloud systems: AWS (ECS/EC2, Lambda, RDS, API Gateway, ALB, Auto Scaling, SQS/SNS), CI/CD, IaC (Terraform/CloudFormation)
  • Enterprise engineering: IAM, encryption, secrets management, enterprise RFP and due diligence support