Ray Nicholus
About Ray Nicholus
Ray Nicholus is a Senior Manager of Software Engineering at Bigleaf Networks, where he has worked since 2022. He has held various engineering leadership roles at companies such as COFENSE, Files.com, Avid, and Widen, contributing to software modernization and team development.
Current Role at Bigleaf Networks
Ray Nicholus serves as the Senior Manager of Software Engineering at Bigleaf Networks since 2022. In this role, he has modernized software development systems, technologies, and processes, with a focus on cybersecurity. He leads a team of 15 engineers on critical projects aimed at enhancing customer retention and satisfaction. Nicholus has also guided technology decisions during a period of significant leadership turnover, ensuring stability and direction within the engineering team. His expertise includes utilizing AWS for hosting solutions and employing React-based and TypeScript for frontend development, alongside Python for backend development.
Previous Experience at COFENSE
Prior to his current position, Ray Nicholus worked as the Director of Software Engineering at COFENSE from 2018 to 2022. He managed the redevelopment of legacy systems and spearheaded the development of new phishing mitigation applications. His leadership during this period contributed to the enhancement of the company's software capabilities and security measures.
Career Background in Software Engineering
Ray Nicholus has a diverse background in software engineering, having held various roles across multiple companies. He was a Senior Software Engineer at Avid from 2006 to 2011, where he worked on digital asset management systems and broadcast software. He then joined Widen, an Acquia company, as a Senior Software Engineer from 2011 to 2017, continuing his focus on digital asset management. Before his tenure at COFENSE, he served as the Lead Frontend Engineer at Files.com for one year, where he led the rebuild of a Rails-based UI using React.
Educational Background
Ray Nicholus studied at DePaul University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This educational foundation has supported his extensive career in software engineering, equipping him with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in various technical roles.
Achievements in Team Management
At Bigleaf Networks, Ray Nicholus has overhauled staff hiring and onboarding processes, significantly scaling the engineering and QA teams. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment and driving project success, particularly in business-critical initiatives aimed at improving customer experiences.