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Zack Nelson

@zacknelson

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I am a veteran software engineer specializing in full‑stack web apps, React, FastAPI, and PostgreSQL.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m seeking a remote software engineering role where I can build impactful, user-focused products and grow alongside a collaborative team. I value clear communication, ownership, and continuous learning, and I’m eager to contribute my full-stack skills and recent CS degree to deliver high-quality, maintainable solutions.

I am a veteran software engineer who builds polished full‑stack web applications and developer tools, focused on shipping reliable products that solve real problems.

I've designed and deployed projects such as a full‑stack job tracker used to monitor 100+ applications and Commit Companion, an AI‑powered Git CLI that automates commit messages using the OpenAI API.

My technical strengths include React (Vite), FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Python, PyTorch, and deployment on Vercel and Render. I combine hands‑on engineering with disciplined ownership derived from military leadership.

I value collaborative teams that prioritize shipping, observability, and clean code, and I bring strong communication, process thinking, and a track record of delivering production systems.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Full-Stack Developer

Current

JobLog

May 2025 - Present (3 months)

Built and deployed a full-stack job application tracker with secure REST APIs, analytics dashboards, tag-based filtering, CSV export, and light/dark modes. Designed responsive UI with Tailwind CSS, deployed frontend to Vercel and backend to Render.

React fastAPI PostgreSQL TailwindCSS Chart.Js REST APIs

Current

Photographer

Current

Freelance

Jan 2018 - Present (7 years 7 months)

Built and ran a freelance photography business, managing technical workflows and mentoring 30+ clients to deliver high-quality visual products.

Photography Client Management Workflow Automation Photo Editing Technical Communication Project Management

Software Engineer

Commit Companion

May 2025 - Jun 2025 (1 month)

Developed Commit Companion, a Python CLI tool that automatically generates Git commit messages from diffs using the OpenAI API. Packaged for global installation, added optional Git hook installer, built to support conventional commits, tone customization, and implemented secure API key handling.

Python Python CLI Tools

Math Tutor

Private Tutoring

Jan 2023 - Jan 2024 (1 year)

Tutored high school and college-level math, emphasizing structured problem-solving and logic applicable to debugging and algorithms.

Mathematics Problem Solving Algorithmic Thinking Tutoring Communication Instructional Design Debugging

Military Police

U.S. Marine Corps

Jan 2013 - Jan 2018 (5 years)

Led 70 Marines in high-stakes operational environments and managed logistical systems for $4M+ in assets with zero failures, enforcing discipline and operational readiness.

Leadership Logistics Management Risk Assessment Team Coordination Security Operations Process Improvement