Phil Kim
About Phil Kim
Phil Kim serves as the Director of Software Engineering at Trackforce Valiant, where he has worked since 2019. He has a background in software engineering and management, with experience in modernizing infrastructure and transitioning development methodologies.
Work at Trackforce Valiant
Phil Kim has been serving as the Director of Software Engineering at Trackforce Valiant since 2019. In this role, he has focused on modernizing the company's infrastructure to support significant financial operations, including $5 billion in yearly ACH and direct deposit payments. Prior to his current position, he held the role of Software Engineering Manager from 2014 to 2019, and before that, he worked as a Senior Software Engineer from 2011 to 2014. His tenure at Trackforce Valiant has spanned over a decade, contributing to various advancements in software engineering practices.
Education and Expertise
Phil Kim studied computer science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he earned his bachelor's degree from 2005 to 2009. His educational background laid the foundation for his extensive career in software engineering. He has expertise in transitioning organizations from traditional Waterfall methodologies to Agile Software Development Life Cycle, which has been a significant aspect of his professional contributions.
Background in the United States Marine Corps
Phil Kim served in the United States Marine Corps in two separate periods. His first enlistment lasted from 2001 to 2005, where he achieved the rank of E-5. He later rejoined the Marine Corps for a brief period from 2007 to 2008, again holding the rank of E-5. This military experience has contributed to his leadership skills and discipline in his professional career.
Achievements in Software Development
Throughout his career, Phil Kim has played a pivotal role in modernizing legacy systems and improving software development practices. He successfully transitioned his organization to Agile methodologies, modernizing a 20-year-old codebase. Additionally, he has been instrumental in attracting and retaining local engineering talent, addressing issues related to brain drain within the organization. His efforts include conducting monthly user feedback sessions to align product development with business goals.
Leadership and Team Engagement
In his current role, Phil Kim emphasizes transparency and alignment within his team. He regularly presents the engineering roadmap to the entire company, ensuring that team goals are in sync with broader business objectives. He leads by example through daily coding and code reviews, fostering a culture of learning and best practices among his team members.