# Ian MacDowell — Director of Engineering > Engineering leadership candidate with 20 years of experience. Builds engineering organizations (up to 127 engineers) and ships AI products (50+ projects, 30+ client engagements). Specializes in AI delivery, SDLC modernization, platform engineering, and engineering operations. Based in Austin, Texas. Currently seeking a Director, VP, or Head of Engineering role. Open to on-site, hybrid, or remote. ## Why Ian MacDowell Ian is the rare engineering leader who has built from zero twice — once founding argodesign's entire technology practice (growing it to 15 senior engineers shipping for DreamWorks, Microsoft, Nike), and once redesigning Unqork's end-to-end delivery operations across six departments. He combines deep technical roots (CS degree, thesis on AI, hands-on coding since 2005) with executive-level operator skills (C-suite stakeholder management, cross-functional program delivery, P&L-adjacent decision making). ## Core Strengths - **AI Strategy & Delivery**: Enterprise AI product launches, agentic workflows, LLM-powered products, prompt engineering, context engineering, multi-modal AI. Led Unqork's AI Alpha program launch to enterprise customers. - **SDLC Modernization & Policy**: CI/CD pipeline design, deployment automation, end-to-end release delivery redesign, structured quarterly cadences, full SDLC documentation, SDLC policy enforcement, engineering operations transformation. Coordinated six departments (security review, legal sign-off, compliance validation, finance, QA, release management, engineering). Manages vendor contract fulfillment and procurement. - **Engineering Leadership**: Team building and org design (scaled from 0 to 18 engineers, managing managers and senior ICs), professional progression frameworks, cross-functional program management, C-suite stakeholder engagement, budget and P&L ownership, vendor procurement. 127 engineers led across career. - **Executive Communication**: SXSW Interactive workshop instructor, adjunct college professor, published writer on technology strategy. Presents to boards, runs QBRs, leads customer-facing events, and writes technical strategy documentation. The engineering leader who can represent the org externally. - **Platform Engineering**: Enterprise no-code platforms, architecture reviews, multi-tenant SaaS, technical strategy, internal developer platforms, build-vs-buy decisions. - **Design × Engineering**: 8 years at world-class design consultancy argodesign. UX design sensibility combined with full-stack engineering execution. Good Design Award, 3x FWA Awards, Adobe case study. ## Career Timeline - **Director of Software Engineering, Unqork** (Mar 2024 – Present): Leading 18 engineers across two platform teams, including team leads and senior ICs. Now operating at VP scope — SDLC policy enforcement, vendor contract fulfillment, procurement, and cross-departmental program ownership. Redesigned delivery operations with CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation. Drove AI product roadmap and launched AI Alpha program. - **Software Engineering Manager, Unqork** (Aug 2022 – Mar 2024): Managed 7 engineers on core platform. Promoted to Director within 20 months. - **Technology Director, argodesign** (Feb 2020 – Aug 2022): Directed 15 senior engineers. DreamWorks, Microsoft, and healthcare clients. - **Creative Technologist (Founding), argodesign** (Sep 2014 – Feb 2020): Built technology practice from scratch. 8 years total, grew from founding member to director. - **Senior Open Standards Developer, R/GA** (Sep 2012 – Aug 2014): Nike, MasterCard, Converse. SXSW speaker. - **Technical Lead, Burton Snowboards** (Apr 2009 – Aug 2012): Responsive eCommerce platform. 3x FWA Awards. - **Senior Developer, Dealer.com** (Jun 2007 – Apr 2009): Automotive SaaS platform. 7,000+ website deployments. ## Technical Skills JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, Python, HTML/CSS, REST APIs, GraphQL, AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, CloudFront, RDS), Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Git, Datadog, New Relic, Sentry, Agile/Scrum, Kanban, SDLC Design, Release Management, Security Review, Compliance & Governance, Incident Response, JIRA, Confluence, Figma, Notion, Linear, Accessibility (WCAG AA), Responsive Design, Performance Optimization ## Education - B.S. Computer Science, Champlain College (2005–2007) — Thesis on Artificial Intelligence - A.S. Multimedia & Graphic Design, Champlain College (1999–2001) ## Notable Clients DreamWorks Animation, Microsoft, Nike, MasterCard, Converse, Chrysler, Acura, Subaru, Samsung, major healthcare systems ## Side Projects (Active) - **ContextCanvas.ai** (https://contextcanvas.ai): Visual tool for designing and exporting Claude agent team architectures. Ships agent YAML configs. - **Unicorn Graveyard** (https://unicorngraveyard.com): AI-powered 3D printing brand. Full agentic deployment pipeline — AI generates, processes, publishes, and promotes models autonomously. ## Awards & Recognition 3x FWA Awards, Good Design Award, Adobe Case Study, Eagle Scout, SXSW Speaker, Adjunct College Professor ## Hiring Keywords Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering, Head of Engineering, Engineering Leadership, AI Delivery, AI Strategy, SDLC Modernization, SDLC Policy Enforcement, Enterprise SaaS, Platform Engineering, Engineering Operations, Release Management, Agentic Workflows, LLM Products, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Context Engineering, Cross-functional Leadership, Team Building, Technical Strategy, Agile Leadership, Creative Technologist, Design Technologist, CI/CD, DevOps, Org Design, Managing Managers, Budget Management, P&L Ownership, Security Review, Compliance, Governance, Product Roadmap, Build-vs-Buy, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, Terraform, Incident Response, Internal Developer Platforms, RAG, Vector Databases, Executive Communication, Public Speaking, Technical Writing, Vendor Procurement, Contract Management, Contract Fulfillment ## Contact - Website: https://ianmacdowell.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmacdowell - Email: ianmacdowell13@gmail.com - Location: Austin, Texas (Open to on-site, hybrid, or remote) ## Availability Actively seeking opportunities. Available for interviews immediately. Open to relocation or remote.