I’m James Folk, a seasoned software engineer, entrepreneur, and technical leader with over 20 years of experience building high-performance applications across platforms—from video game engines to Roku streaming apps and mobile software.
Experience
2010 — Now
Mount Sinai, NY
* Profound expertise in C++ encompassing C++11, C++14, C++17, and C++20 standards, with an in-depth grasp of its intricacies, features, and best practices.
* Vast experience in conceiving, crafting, and sustaining intricate, large-scale software systems using C++, ensuring their durability, performance, and maintainability.
* Proficiency in crafting platform-agnostic C++ code across diverse operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, adeptly employing platform-specific libraries and APIs.
* Mastery of Object-Oriented Design (OOD) principles, design patterns, and architectural paradigms, culminating in well-organized, modular codebases.
* Demonstrated capacity to fine-tune C++ code for optimal performance, encompassing memory management, multithreading, and algorithmic enhancements, resulting in substantial speed gains.
* Seasoned in seamlessly integrating and harnessing third-party libraries and frameworks within C++ projects, heightening productivity and functionality.
* Adept in crafting multithreaded and parallel C++ code, leveraging features like threads, mutexes, and atomic operations to enhance performance.
* Profound understanding and practical application of the Standard Template Library (STL) for C++ data structures, algorithms, and containers.
* Competence in leading code reviews, imparting constructive critique, and mentoring junior developers to elevate code quality and team efficiency.
* Proficient in Git and other version control systems, ensuring effective collaboration and code management.
* Accomplished in project management, including task estimation, project planning, and coordination, ensuring punctual project completion.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and QA engineers, delivering top-tier software solutions.
2023 — 2025
2023 — 2025
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
* Led and managed a team of engineers responsible for the development of the Roku Video Player using Brightscript and SceneGraph, ensuring the successful integration of the Client-side Roku Ad Framework.
* Integrated the Roku Ad Framework (RAF) into the video on demand streaming service, writing two systems to parse the SCTE35 signal and build a Freewheel advertisement URL using the builder design pattern to increase Comcast advertisement revenue.
* Technical lead of the Roku Player team to integrate the Roku Interstitial Library into the video linear streaming service using Brightscript and SceneGraph to increase Comcast advertisement revenue by 300%
* Wrote the URITemplate component library that followed the RFC6570 guidelines using Brightscript and SceneGraph to migrate our streaming service from HLS to DASH.
2021 — 2023
West Jordan, Utah, United States
* Led the initiative to develop the All Saints Channel for Roku, facilitating millions of users to access live and pre-recorded events.
* Employed Agile methodologies to plan and collaborate with the manager, scrum master, and team, ensuring efficient project execution.
* Utilized MS Visual Studio Code, Brightscript, and Scene Graph to create multiple screens for the All Saints Channel on Roku.
* Collaborated within an Agile framework with the product owner and scrum master to plan and implement user-friendly features.
* Leveraged MS Visual Studio Code, Brightscript, and Scene Graph to empower users to customize language preferences and access the Terms of Service.
* Enhanced the video player for the All Saints Channel by implementing functions to remember the last play position, making use of Roku's registry.
* Integrated the Youbora SDK into the video player, enabling seamless user experiences such as resuming videos from where they left off and displaying advertisement videos.
2022 — 2022
Virginia, United States
* Spearheaded the development of a foundational augmented reality project using Unity, HoloLens2, and Vuforia for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
* Played a crucial role in researching and developing VR and AR environments and equipment aimed at improving the effectiveness of first responders. Emphasized usability and human-computer interaction to enhance their job performance.
* Stayed at the forefront of emerging AR technologies, integrating state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions to create immersive and practical AR environments.
* Collaborated closely with multi-disciplinary teams to bridge the gap between technology and real-world applications, ensuring that AR solutions meet the specific needs of first responders.
* Focused on optimizing the usability and user experience of AR equipment and environments, contributing to safer and more efficient operations for first responders in critical situations.
* Actively engaged in ongoing research and development efforts, exploring innovative approaches to advance VR and AR technology in the context of first responder scenarios.
* Worked closely with NIST to align project objectives with their mission of promoting innovation and industrial competitiveness through cutting-edge technologies.
2020 — 2022
* Integrated the Kochava service into Discovery Channel's software ecosystem using Kochava's Swift API, enabling the marketing team to gather valuable data and make informed decisions to enhance marketing strategies.
* Designed and implemented a system to generate Doxygen documentation from inline Brightscript comments using Python and the Doxygen API. This system streamlined code documentation efforts while harnessing Doxygen's powerful capabilities.
* Contributed to the Roku Discovery Plus App by developing multiple screens and enhancing the event system using Brightscript and Scene Graph, improving the app's functionality and user experience.
* Implemented voice-over accessibility features in the Discovery Plus iOS and tvOS Apps using Swift, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and saving Discovery Inc significant costs associated with potential accessibility-related litigation.
Education
University of North Dakota
Doctor of Science
2023
Strayer University
Master of Business Administration - MBA
2020 — 2022
Columbia Engineering
Machine Learning
2019 — 2019
Stony Brook University
Bachelor of Science
Suffolk County Community College
Associate of Science
Ward Melville High School
NYS Regents Diploma
Strayer University