Open to opportunities

Stephen Salaka

@stephensalaka

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Innovative technology leader with 15+ years of experience.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I am looking for a role that fosters innovation and strategic growth in technology.

I am an innovative technology leader with over 15 years of experience in spearheading digital transformation and enterprise IT strategy across various sectors, including manufacturing, defense, SaaS, fintech, and medical technology. My proven track record includes delivering scalable solutions that optimize supply chains and enhance product performance through AI integration and process automation.

In my current role as Chief Technology Officer at MealMatch AI, I manage product engineering operations, leading the development of an AI-driven meal planning platform. I have successfully improved product personalization and user satisfaction while establishing Agile practices and CI/CD pipelines to enhance development velocity. My previous positions have equipped me with the skills to oversee digital transformation initiatives, manage global IT operations, and integrate advanced ERP tools, resulting in significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Current

MealMatch AI

Jun 2024 - Present (1 year 2 months)

Managed product engineering operations for an AI-driven meal planning and social matching platform, leading MVP development from concept to scalable deployment. Provided strategic direction to cross-functional teams through Agile delivery, cloud-native architecture, and AI-first feature design to support a Q2 2025 launch.

AI Agile Cloud Native Architecture Flask React Native PostgreSQL Kubernetes Google Cloud Platform

Senior Director, Global Information Technology – Application Delivery

SMTC

Aug 2021 - Present (4 years)

Supervised digital transformation initiatives by integrating legacy systems with advanced ERP tools and generative AI analytics. Managed global IT operations and application delivery while aligning enterprise architecture with business goals. Oversaw cross-functional teams in developing EDI and CRM solutions that enhance customer experience and streamline operations across supply chain, sales, and

Digital Transformation ERP Generative AI EDI CRM Qlik Kinaxis Rapid Response LLMs)

Director, Software Engineering

Tsunami Tsolutions

Aug 2015 - Present (10 years)

Led software development operations for aerospace and defense programs, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Directed product delivery activities, cloud migrations, analytics implementations, and agile transformations to improve efficiency.

Software Development Aerospace Analytics Agile .NET Java

Senior Software Architect

Tsunami Tsolutions

Aug 2014 - Present (11 years)

Developed predictive analytics systems for major defense programs and modernized software platforms to improve operational reliability. Orchestrated integration of diverse technologies to support high-availability, data-driven maintenance and compliance systems.

Predictive Analytics Machine Learning Java .NET Python Data Driven Regulatory Compliance

Head of Software Engineering

Live Music Tutor

Nov 2012 - Present (12 years 9 months)

Oversaw SaaS development operations for a cloud-based music education platform. Managed a $750K budget and led a team of 15 engineers. Designed the MVP and drove feature adoption by collaborating with educators and users to improve virtual learning experiences.

SaaS Development Cloud Solutions Agile Development PHP MySQL AWS User Feedback

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Walden University

PhD, Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Pursued a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, focusing on the application of psychological principles in the workplace. This advanced study provided a deep understanding of human behavior in organizational settings.

Florida Metropolitan University

MBA, International Relations & Information Technology

Completed an MBA with a dual focus on International Relations and Information Technology. This program equipped me with strategic business acumen and a strong foundation in IT management.

University of Central Florida

Bachelor of Science (BS), Applied Computer Science & Mathematical Sciences

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science & Mathematical Sciences. This comprehensive program provided a strong foundation in computer science principles and mathematical analysis.

University of Michigan

Post-Graduate Degree, Data Science & Machine Learning

Completed a Post-Graduate Degree in Data Science & Machine Learning. This specialized program focused on advanced data analysis techniques and machine learning algorithms.