Hunter Rancourt

Head of Software Engineering and Design

Capitol Information Group•  May 2022 - February 2024•  Falls Church, VA

As Head of Software Engineering and Design, I wasn’t just leading a team—I was orchestrating a symphony of technologies across five digital publishing divisions, each with millions of subscribers. My role blended strategy and execution, managing both in-house and vendor infrastructure while ensuring our tech stack was always a step ahead of the competition. This involved leading a talented team to build customer-facing applications using frameworks like WordPress, Laravel, and Slim, while Node.js powered our cloud functions and React.js brought our real-time UIs to life. I was the mastermind behind our CI/CD pipelines, leveraging GitHub Workflows to deploy containerized services via Google Cloud and AWS. Our tech ecosystem was a well-oiled machine, with APIs driving everything from fulfillment and CRM to order processing and client portals. We handled streaming data with MySQL, MSSQL, Oracle, BigQuery, and Redis, aggregating millions of records daily to fuel Tableau, Google Data Studio, and other reporting tools. But it wasn’t all about the backend—I also focused on future-proofing our infrastructure, ensuring our cloud environments were ready for anything. I developed junior talent, turning them into tech ninjas who could handle the fast-paced demands of our environment with a business-focused mindset. My integration work with APIs and webhooks brought together a diverse array of services like AWS, Twilio, Stripe, and Google Cloud, ensuring seamless data syncs and robust reporting. If you need someone who can code, lead, and juggle flaming torches (metaphorically, of course), then I’m your person.

Lead Senior Software Engineer

Capitol Information Group•  August 2021 - May 2022•  Falls Church, VA

As the Lead Senior Software Engineer, I wasn’t just coding—I was crafting digital experiences. I took charge of developing our major applications, operational databases, and supporting the engineering team with everything from mentorship to troubleshooting. My tech stack was as varied as the projects I tackled: Laravel, React.js, Docker, PHPUnit, Mocha, TypeScript, and more. One of my most significant achievements was leading the development of a CLI tool in Laravel Zero, streamlining our reporting processes by interfacing seamlessly with our API and Crystal Reports. I also spearheaded the creation of numerous WordPress sites for editorial teams and subscribers, implementing modern JavaScript and PHP practices. When it came to deployment, I made sure our CI/CD pipelines were airtight, using Google Cloud Services, AWS, and GitHub Actions to deploy code efficiently and reliably. I also led the migration of our physical servers to the cloud, embracing containerization with Docker to create uniform development environments. This wasn’t just about moving servers; it was about setting the foundation for scalable, resilient applications that could handle whatever we threw at them. In this role, I balanced hands-on coding with strategic planning, always aiming to push the boundaries of what our team could achieve.

Software Engineer

Capitol Information Group•  July 2018 - August 2021•  Falls Church, VA

As a Software Engineer, I was the Swiss Army knife of our team—versatile, reliable, and always ready for the next challenge. I spent my days building applications and websites, primarily using highly customized WordPress structures and a mix of PHP, JavaScript, MySQL, and Docker to create dynamic, user-friendly platforms. My projects ranged from developing custom CLI tools for data manipulation to crafting bespoke CRMs and APIs that ensured seamless communication across our systems. One of my key projects was the development of the CIG SDK, a cross-platform toolkit designed to wrap essential commands and automate dependency management for engineers. Written in Ruby and Python, and deployed via Homebrew, this SDK simplified complex processes like container management and ensured that all developers, regardless of their expertise, could hit the ground running with minimal setup. This project involved Docker, Ansible, Shell scripting, and Google Cloud SDK, making life easier for engineers by automating environment setup and maintaining consistency across macOS and Ubuntu systems. In addition, I was responsible for creating and maintaining subscription billing systems, ensuring database integrity, and mastering containerization with Docker to streamline our deployment processes. My work extended to setting up and maintaining various emailing, printing, and mailing systems, which kept our operations running smoothly. This role allowed me to deepen my expertise in both frontend and backend technologies, including React.js, TypeScript, and cloud infrastructure, and laid the foundation for my future growth as a software engineer.

Jr. Software Developer

Capitol Information Group•  January 2018 - July 2018•  Falls Church, VA

In my early days as a Junior Software Developer, I cut my teeth on full-stack web development. My toolbox included WordPress, PHP, Apache, MySQL, JavaScript, and Twig. I quickly became adept at building robust websites and applications, whether designing new plugins or optimizing database queries. This role was my gateway to the world of web development, giving me hands-on experience with the technologies and best practices that would shape my career. I developed a passion for coding, constantly seeking out new challenges and opportunities to learn, which has only grown stronger over the years.

QA Engineer

Gravity Payments•  January 2013 - May 2017•  Seattle, WA

As a QA Engineer, I was the last line of defense between our software and the wild. I built out the QA department from scratch, creating processes and procedures that ensured our products were as close to perfect as possible. I prepped for automated testing, worked closely with beta customers, and collaborated with engineers to resolve bugs and add new features. But that wasn’t all—I also ventured into Product Research and Development, specializing in iOS solutions and forging partnerships with POS companies. I researched new POS options, trained teams, and tracked the profitability of our solutions. As a Deployment Tech, I rolled up my sleeves to set up credit card terminals, configure POS systems, run cable through attics, and manage gateways. My role was a blend of technical expertise, customer interaction, and strategic planning, making me a key player in delivering top-notch solutions to our clients.

Brown College

Computer Science & Engineering, AS•  September 2009 - April 2011

Focused on Computer Networking