Hello! I'm Drew
​
Adaptable software engineer with a track record of delivering impactful solutions across defense, finance, and gaming - driven by a passion for building systems that empower creators and enhance player experiences.
Drew Nelson
ForzaTech Tools Technical Lead
Phone:
818-336-2114
​
Email:
Location:
Renton, WA / Greater Seattle Area
​
EXPERIENCE
March 2021 - Present
ForzaTech Tools Technical Lead
-
Add new features and update functionality to the Fuel editor used to make the Forza Motorsport game.
-
Lead content engineering initiatives and ensure that our solutions are achieving project goals.
-
Commune with artists and develop technical plans.
-
Develop new workflow to easily reassign materials in large quantities at a time.
-
Develop new workflow to reduce lightmap baking from 12 hours to 1 hour per track.
-
Rebuild screenshot tools to use in-game debug commands to automate the capture of in-game screenshots.
-
Develop quality of life viewport and spline features in tools used by artists to help create the game.
-
Create a tool capable of showing asset file dependencies and allow artists to update dependencies with ease.
-
Provide mentorship and guidance to other team members and help set them up for success.
May 2017 - March 2021
Software Architect / Software Engineer III
-
Create and deliver core functionalities to existing products which increased company revenue
-
Lead a team to convert those functionalities to other platforms to help the company reach a larger audience
-
Created internal tools which helped improve the speed of the company’s overall development time
-
Develop software which was later repurposed as training tools for internal team members and customers
May 2016 - May 2017
Software Engineer
-
Developed a playback system used for naval simulation and training purposes
-
Added core functionalities to an existing simulator to ensure application correctness
May 2015 - February 2016
Software Engineer
-
Created an automatic code generator for simulated environments
-
Added features to exiting simulators responsible for replicating hardware environments
May 2013 - May 2015
Embedded Software Engineering Intern
-
Create detailed design documents using UML models
EDUCATION
2019-2022
Master's of Science
Computer Science and Software Engineering
University of Washington, Bothell
Research Focus: Physics-based Caustic Illumination
​
2009-2014
Bachelor's of Science
Computer Science
California State University, Northridge
Honors Graduate
SKILLS
Languages
C#
C++
Java
Javascript
Libraries/Frameworks
.NET
WinForms
WPF
React
Tools
Unity3D
Git
Visual Studio
Perforce
VS Code
BitBucket
Visio
Unreal
Other Skills
3D Math
Time Management
SW Architecture
Problem Solving
Microsoft Office
Teamwork
Project Planning
Patience