I’m Brian Behrens, a developer living in Los Angeles, CA. I have been building interactive projects professionally since 2003. The bulk of my career has been centered around websites, social campaigns, and web-based applications. I have focused heavily on interaction design, web standards, usability, animation, video, e-commerce, and application architecture. My passion for technology is ever-evolving and I enjoy new challenges. Behind it all, I’m a problem solver who likes telling stories. In my free time, you’ll find me surfing, taking photos, exploring code, and/or spending time with my wife and dogs.
Experience
Principal Engineer (IV), VideoAmp
Santa Monica, CA | 2018 – Present
Starting at VideoAmp on the DesignOps team, we focused on building our design system. This was built using TypeScript, React, Jest, Cypress, Percy, Codecov, D3 and more. I have since transitioned to a principal role, working as a full-stack engineer delivering features and shared code in both our front and backend services using Node.js, TypeScript, React, hapi, Postgres, Snowflake and various AWS services like SQS and SNS. I help lead guild meetings and mentor other engineers.
Software Engineer – Front End, REI
Kent, WA | 2017 – 2018
Lead front end software engineer for the Classes/Events and Adventures team. Work in a continuous integrated environment with Docker, Java, Jenkins and more. Spend most of my time updating our front end systems to be written in ES6 linting standards with Vue.js components. Use build tools like webpack and dependency management on the front end is done via our private NPM repository. Unit test our shared modules with Mocha and Chai.
Senior Interactive Developer, POP
Seattle, WA | 2015 – 2017
Second time working at POP. Previously wrote a large amount of ActionScript 3, building applications and animations for various clients. This time I focused heavily on JavaScript. Used Node.js on almost every project integrating Grunt, Gulp or webpack for build tools. Used frameworks/libraries like React, Angular, GreenSock, jQuery, ScrollMagic and many others. Created animations in both CSS and JavaScript. Led various server integrations, API and database development, Docker configuration and other backend duties. Developed within Node.js, Apache, .NET and AWS environments.
Senior Web Developer, Mervin Manufacturing
Seattle, WA | 2012 – 2015
Led a team in development efforts and made key decisions in e-commerce infrastructure, hosting architecture and build systems. Developed new applications for users to find and customize products. Developed responsive WordPress templates for all brand sites. Researched new technologies like Angular and implemented them in production builds. Planned marketing and social initiatives. Implemented new management communication and analytic tools for team efficiencies. Set up source control infrastructure. Evaluated analytics and made informed online-business decisions.
Senior Interface Developer, Blast Radius
Seattle, WA | 2011 – 2012
Managed a team of developers executing marketing initiatives for Starbucks. Brainstormed and planned technical execution on Frappuccino, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Starbucks Holiday. Planned timelines and feature specifications for technical execution. Utilized JIRA for iteration planning. Programmed MVC based Flash experiences for Starbucks Holiday and Frappuccino using ActionScript 3 and PureMVC.
Senior Interactive Developer, POP
Seattle, WA | 2008 – 2011
Built Flash based experiences for corporate clients such as Target, Nintendo, Amazon, Xbox and more. Led development planning efforts and execution.
Multimedia Developer, Marx Creative
Milwaukee, WI | 2006 – 2008
Web development (HTML, CSS, Javascript, Ajax, Flash, XML, PHP and MySQL), DVD production, In-store Media Creation
Freelance Web Development
2006 – Present
Web-design and Programming (HTML, CSS, Javascript, Flash, XML, PHP and MySQL), Custom CMS Application Development
Multimedia Developer, WIN Media Inc.
Burlington, WI | 2003 – 2006
Project Management, CD-ROM Development, Web Development (HTML, CSS, Javascript, Flash, PHP and MySQL), DVD Production, Live Event Video Production, Commercial Productions
Production Assistant, Milwaukee Public Television
Milwaukee, WI | 2002 – 2003
Floor Director, Camera, Make-up, TelePrompTer, Switcher, Lighting, Audio
Co-Producer, Milwaukee Bucks “Bucks Buddy” Half-time Segment
Milwaukee, WI | 2003
I Produced, Shot, and Edited a 30 second half-time segment for the “Bucks Buddy” program with partner, Brad Manderscheid. The segment aired on the WB during a Bucks half-time show.
Executive Producer, MPTV’s “Letters to Santa”
Milwaukee, WI | 2002
I oversaw all aspects of production in the 7 Part Children’s Series aired on Milwaukee Public Television.
Awards
Target – Best of the Bullseye: Collaboration
Seattle, WA | 2008
The team at POP on the Target account was awarded a Best of the Bullseye award by Target Corporate for collaboration.
Freddie Award
Milwaukee, WI | 2007
International Health and Medical Media Awards for Best Web Site
Working at Marx Creative, I helped produce and maintain chefmd.com. I set up the databases, created/implemented designs, and maintained the site since I started at Marx Creative in 2006.
Best Director Award
Milwaukee, WI | 2003
Milwaukee Public Television Student Operations
I was awarded best director for a half hour long feature titled “Let’s Be Frank”. I was the director, producer, cinematographer, and editor for this feature.
Education
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI | 2001 – 2003
Associates Degree in Television & Video Production
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI | 2003 – 2005
Associates Degree in Visual Communications
Skills
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React, build webpack, Jenkins, Preprocessors, Babel, Vue.js, Angular, PHP, MySQL, NoSQL, Source Control (Git & SVN), WordPress, JSON, XML, Social APIs, JS Libraries (Underscore, GreenSock, Jest, Cypress, jQuery), Agile Methodology, Adobe Creative Cloud, Project Estimation/Planning, Managing Development Teams, Video Production and Photography