Engineer Software

KAREN HIGGINS

Lake Forest, CA *****

*********@*****.*** 310-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/karenrhiggins

PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Experienced in embedded software development for key operating systems. Excellent problem solving skills with

the ability to effectively communicate and simplify complex information to technical and non-technical

audiences.

Efficient and skilled in all aspects of software development life cycle (SDLC) from analysis and requirements

definition through design, implementation, documentation, training and support. Core Strengths in:

Product Definition & Documentation Cross Functional Communication

Project Planning & Schedule Management Troubleshooting & Problem Solving

Organizing & Simplifying Data Developing High-Quality Clean Code

Change & Issue Management Junior Engineer Coaching & Mentoring

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Operating Systems: Linux, VMware, Windows, UNIX, DOS

Languages: C/C++, Assembly, Shell Scripting

Development Tools: SlicKEdit, Visio, Coverity, Jira, Git, Vim

Debug Tools: JDSU/Finisar Xgig GbE/iSCSI Analyzer, Wireshark

Test Software: Medusa, IOmeter, VMware vSphere/vCenter/Server Appliance

Protocols: SCSI, iSCSI, TCP/IP

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

VIKING TECHNOLOGY, Foothill Ranch, CA

Senior Software Engineer 2014

Enhanced Linux kernel driver and a specialized Linux file system (PRAMFS) to create SSD (Solid State Disk)

devices from NVDIMM (Non-volatile DIMM) memory. Created end user documentation and shell scripts to

execute performance benchmark tests and format benchmark data.

QLOGIC CORPORATION, Aliso Viejo, CA

Principal Systems Software Engineer 1998-2014

Developed Linux, VMware, Windows and NetWare device drivers & middleware for SCSI and iSCSI host

adapters in a multi-core environment.

• Coordinated and managed software schedules with OS vendors, OEM customers and internal teams

through qualification and release cycles.

• Performed root-cause analysis, developed and validated solutions for complex customer issues.

Supported firmware related troubleshooting from driver perspective.

• Sped up introduction of next VMware driver release by reducing backlog of 50+ defects after being

chosen to join VMware team to cleanup driver code.

• Ensured on-time delivery of high quality code by training and mentoring junior engineers. Prepared & delivered

presentations, facilitated code reviews and served as technical resource.

• Enhanced user experience by authoring driver design specifications and UML diagrams to maintain

consistency across internal engineering teams.

• Developed proof-of-concept solution to add multi-vendor host adapter support to Linux Open Source

iSNS, resulting in simplified access to existing software stack and configuration tools.

KAREN HIGGINS PAGE 2

*********@*****.***

• Solely developed NetWare SCSI host adapter driver that completed defect-free certification without a

prior qualification cycle.

ADAPTEC INC. / FUTURE DOMAIN CORPORATION, Irvine, CA

Adaptec purchased Future Domain in 1994

Systems Software Engineer 1992 – 1998

Developed and maintained NetWare and Windows device drivers, SCSI Option ROM BIOS and applications for

SCSI host adapters.

• Developed, enhanced and maintained DOS-based disk partitioning, formatting and diagnostics utility.

• Reduced testing and debugging efforts by serving as technical focal point for Operating System device

driver development - detected, reported and resolved problems with pre-released Operating Systems and

test suites.

• Maintained a competitive edge in the SCSI host adapter market by coordinating with OS vendors to

ensure that the latest software and firmware were embedded into the latest operating system.

• Reduced maintenance costs and provided a consistent user experience by maintaining an existing

common driver supporting Windows, NetWare and OS/2 operating systems in a single code base.

• Regularly interfaced with engineering, OEM, customers, sales and marketing teams. Travelled with sales

and marketing team to answer technical questions in pre-sales customer meetings.

EDUCATION

BS, Information and Computer Science, University of California (UCI), Irvine, CA

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