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Damien GERARD

@damiengerard

Software engineer specialized in C++ platform and media systems, delivering scalable, real-time infrastructure and transcoding.

Sweden

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can build and evolve C++ platforms that must be real-time, reliable, and operationally transparent—ideally involving media streaming, infra control planes, or AI infrastructure, with room to lead technical direction.

I’m a C++ software engineer focused on building production-grade platforms for real-time media, cloud infrastructure, and large-scale AI services. I enjoy turning complex requirements into maintainable systems—especially when performance, reliability, and operational clarity matter.

At Scalstrm AB (Sweden), I extend a just-in-time Live/VOD transcoding extensions system (plugins) to analyze and modify video/audio frames (blackout, watermark, deinterlace, frame repair...). I’m currently working across modern C++ and media streaming formats like HLS and DASH to keep pipelines efficient and dependable.

Previously at Net Insight AB, I developed and maintained the data plane for Nimbra Edge ⮺, including multi-program transport stream splicing for ad insertion via SCTE-35 messages. I also handled MPEG-TS parsing/generation and maintenance for RIST/RTP/SRT/HLS protocol support, with a strong emphasis on correctness and long-term support.

At Rakuten Inc., I led the design and implementation of a new Virtual Infrastructure Management control plane (Tech & Team lead), adding VPC for isolated tenant networking and building an extensible entity model and decentralized reconciliation engine. Earlier, I worked across Global DataScience/Advanced Computing platforms and AI application infrastructure (MLOps, Kubernetes, distributed storage), and I also delivered mission-critical systems in trading, simulation, and high-availability services—always bridging architecture, engineering, and operations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Software Engineer

Current

Scalstrm AB

Mar 2026 - Present (2 months)

Developed live/VOD just-in-time media transcoding features, including an extensions/plugin system to analyze and modify video/audio frames (e.g., blackout, watermarking, deinterlacing, frame repair).

C++23 HLS Dash Live Transcoding Deinterlacing Plugin Architecture

Software Engineer

Net Insight AB

Jun 2024 - Feb 2026 (1 year 8 months)

Built and maintained the data plane for Nimbra Edge, including multi-program MPEG-TS splicing for ad insertion using SCTE-35 messages, along with full SCTE-35/104 support.

MPEG TS Parsing SCTE 35 104 RTP SRT HLS Yocto

Software Engineer & Tech Lead

Rakuten Inc

May 2017 - May 2024 (7 years)

Designed and led the control-plane evolution for Rakuten OneCloud’s virtualized compute, including VPC for tenant network isolation and an extensible entity model with a decentralized reconciliation engine for applying changes across regions.

Virtualization VPC FoundationDB Kubernetes Mesos Ceph MLOps BGP

Senior C++ Engineer

SAS

Aug 2016 - May 2017 (9 months)

Built and maintained a set of C++ backend services for CoreTrader’s real-time trading tool, enabling web frontend information feeds and ongoing deployment and maintenance improvements.

C++ 14 Caplin Framework Multithreading Tuxedo ODBC Oracle Database PostgreSQL MySQL Qt 4D CMake

C++ Consultant

FusionSystems

Sep 2015 - Aug 2016 (11 months)

Developed and upgraded Raptor, a low-latency trading platform, including new plugin development to integrate with ASXTrade24 and embedded development targeting Xilinx/SolarFlare network cards.

C++11 Plugin Development Embedded Development Xilinx SolarFlare CMake Qt 4D Redmine

Senior C++ Engineer

SAS

Jan 2013 - Aug 2015 (2 years 7 months)

Developed and extended the Wakanda open-source framework and its ecosystem, including Linux integration for WakandaDB and extension of 4D C++ libraries under Linux with related tooling migrations.

C++11 Wakanda WakandaDB Multithreading Linux ICU OpenSSL CMake LLVM

Software Engineer

RTE

Jan 2008 - Jan 2013 (5 years)

Transformed an Antares Monte Carlo simulator prototype into a production-quality product, improving algorithmic performance, scalability, documentation, packaging, and CI/CD support.

C++11 Monte Carlo Simulations Multithreading WxWidgets CI CD OpenSSL CMake

Software Engineer

Escaliers Decors

Jan 2007 - Jan 2008 (1 year)

Redesigned core ERP workflows including invoice processing, quotes, and orders, and supported the ongoing maintenance of backend components and related infrastructure needs.

PHP MySQL PostgreSQL ERP Development SVN Debian System Administration Database Design

Software Engineer

Preventif

Oct 2006 - Jan 2007 (3 months)

Built a plugin for real-time fraud detection using an agent system architecture, integrating with Oracle and ISAPI on Windows/Solaris environments.

C++Real Time Fraud Agentic Systems Oracle ISAPI Windows Oracle Solaris XSLT

Software Engineer

Irincom-Trafficfirst

Jan 2006 - Present (20 years 4 months)

Conceived and developed an expert system for traffic jam forecasting using statistical models and designed/implemented network monitoring tools for IT infrastructure performance.

Expert Systems C++Network Monitoring PostgreSQL PHP Embedded Systems

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

EPITA

Engineering Master’s Degree, Cognitive Sciences and Advanced Computing (SCIA)

2003 - 2006

Activities and societies: Multi-agent systems, expert systems, blackboard, data mining, fuzzy logic, neural network.

Engineering Master’s Degree at EPITA with a major in Cognitive Sciences and Advanced Computing (SCIA). Coursework included multi-agent systems, expert systems, blackboard systems, data mining, fuzzy logic, and neural networks.