Tom Melendez
About Tom Melendez
Tom Melendez is the Sr. Engineering Director of Data Products at MethaneSAT, where he leads a team focused on projects addressing climate change. He has extensive experience in software engineering, having worked at notable companies such as Google, Yahoo!, and Skybox Imaging.
Work at MethaneSAT
Tom Melendez serves as the Senior Engineering Director for Data Products at MethaneSAT, a position he has held since 2019. In this role, he leads a diverse team focused on a unique project aimed at addressing climate change. His leadership emphasizes the importance of software engineering rigor and best practices, while also promoting remote work flexibility for team members.
Education and Expertise
Tom Melendez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Stony Brook University, where he studied from 1996 to 1998. He later earned a Master of Science in Information Systems from Long Island University, completing his studies from 2003 to 2006. His educational background supports his expertise in software engineering and data products.
Background in Academia
Before his current role, Tom Melendez worked as an Adjunct Instructor in the Computer Systems Department at Farmingdale State College from 2002 to 2007. This five-year experience in academia contributed to his foundational knowledge in computer systems and software engineering.
Professional Experience at Major Tech Companies
Tom Melendez has extensive experience in the tech industry, having held various positions at notable companies. He worked at Yahoo! in multiple roles, including Tech Lead for Grid Programming in Media and Cloud Computing Engineer. He also served as a Senior Software Engineer at Google from 2014 to 2019. Additionally, he was a Technical Lead/Engineering Manager at Skybox Imaging, where he focused on the data platform.
Leadership in Software Engineering
In his career, Tom Melendez has actively participated in hiring software engineers and product managers for greenfield projects. His leadership style promotes a balance between rigorous software engineering practices and the flexibility of remote work, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.