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Msc. Ing. Thomas Tacke - Software Engineer

About

me

Passionate Software Engineer / Software Architect with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in IT Security from Ruhr-Universität Bochum. With a strong foundation in applied informatics, I have a demonstrated history of designing and developing scalable applications using Node.js, C#, Angular, Python and microservices architecture.

My enthusiasm for new technologies and security development drives me to continuously explore and implement innovative solutions. In addition to my professional experience, I actively manage personal projects utilizing Docker and version control, showcasing my skills in system administration and self-hosting applications.

I am eager to contribute to the development of both existing and new applications as a Fullstack Engineer/Architect, bringing a comprehensive understanding of security practices to the software development lifecycle.

Work-Experience

Software Engineer / Software Architect@Intel

2020 - Now

Migrated version control and CI/CD systems from an on-premises GitLab solution to a cloud-based GitHub VCS with GitHub Actions and Jenkins CI/CD pipelines, improving scalability and simplifying maintenance. Developed custom GitHub Actions, used across all repositories to standardize workflows and automate repetitive tasks, significantly improving efficiency in CI/CD processes. Administered and maintained Active Directory roles and groups for the department, ensuring proper access controls and security policies. Led the creation of comprehensive documentation for internal tools and systems using DocFX and mkdocs-material, improving knowledge sharing and onboarding for the team. Designed a publish-subscribe communication system using Redis as a broker to enable efficient bidirectional communication between services. Implemented the services in C#, ensuring scalable and real-time interaction between components. Designed and implemented a machine learning solution database using Entity Framework, tracking test data and enabling predictive analytics for test result probabilities. Developed and maintained an extensive suite of unit tests in Python using the pytest framework, ensuring high code coverage and reliable system functionality. Contributed to a confidential project leveraging large language models (LLMs), focusing on enhancing the CLI experience by migrating from argparse to Python Typer, which significantly improved user interface efficiency and maintainability. Developed integration services for automated uploads of test results to Splunk and Jira, streamlining reporting and tracking of test outcomes across the development lifecycle.

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Software Engineer @Intel

2017 - 2020

Worked in a department focused on empowering semiconductor teams with tools, workflows, and technical expertise to ensure seamless product bring-up. Designed and developed new applications from the ground up, including architecting a microservice-based solution with a NodeJS and .NET Core backend and a user interface built with Angular. The UI was delivered both as a web app and a desktop application using Electron, enabling a flexible user experience. Maintained and extended legacy systems like a regression testing tool written in Perl, implementing bug fixes and modernizing parts of the stack by developing new services to replace aging components. Security and software design advisor: Frequently consulted by colleagues for guidance on secure coding practices, architecture decisions, and best practices in software design. Migrated projects from legacy version control and continuous integration systems to a modern, GitLab-based solution, integrated with a Kubernetes cluster for streamlined CI/CD processes, enhancing scalability and automation. Played a pivotal role as a technical contact for working students, providing mentorship and overseeing bachelor thesis projects, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within the team. Adapted to fully remote work starting in January 2020, successfully managing all responsibilities and maintaining productivity while working from home.

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Software Developer (Working Student) @Intel

2015 - 2016

Assisted in the development of internal tools and utilities for a supportive department, working closely with senior developers to enhance functionality and streamline processes. Contributed to the design and implementation of an End-to-End XML-Encryption utility using Java, enabling secure data transmission and improving overall system security. Worked on bug fixes and performance improvements for legacy systems, specifically refactoring and maintaining Perl code to ensure stability and compatibility with new tools. Gained hands-on experience with Java, Perl, and XML encryption, applying knowledge from academic studies to real-world development challenges. Supported continuous improvement efforts by identifying inefficiencies in legacy code and recommending optimization strategies.

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System Administrator (Working Student) @Chair for System Security

2012 - 2013

Provided technical support and managed systems for the Systems Security department, ensuring the availability, security, and reliability of critical IT infrastructure. Worked closely with faculty and researchers to troubleshoot system issues, enabling a seamless environment for academic research in IT security. Procured new servers, networking hardware, and other necessary equipment by coordinating with vendors, managing orders, and ensuring timely installation to meet department needs. Gained hands-on experience with Linux/Unix systems, networking.

Software Developer (Dual Study Program) @Sage

2008 - 2011

Leveraged foundational knowledge gained from academic coursework and self-learning to quickly support the development team as a Software Developer. Contributed to the improvement of a Business Intelligence (BI) solution by rewriting key components of the backend in C#, leading to improved system performance and maintainability. Developed and extended custom applications for the BI platform, utilizing C# and related technologies, enabling more advanced data analysis and reporting features. Collaborated closely with senior developers and business stakeholders to gather system requirements and deliver tailored solutions. Demonstrated ability to apply theoretical concepts in a practical environment, effectively bridging the gap between education and real-world software development.

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Civilian Service @General Hospital Hamelin

2007 - 2008

Patient Transport: Collaborated with medical teams to efficiently transport patients between hospital departments (e.g., MRI, surgery), ensuring smooth communication and timely operations. Developed strong interpersonal and teamwork skills while coordinating patient transfers in a high-paced environment. Improved time management by balancing transport schedules and emergency requests. Post Office and Special Deliveries: Managed daily mail deliveries and handled urgent transportation of blood samples to the testing center. Carried out time-sensitive tasks by responding to urgent calls from hospital units via beeper for special deliveries, ensuring quick turnaround for critical tests. Gained problem-solving skills by managing unforeseen logistical challenges and maintaining consistent service under pressure.

Education

Master of Science - IT Security @Ruhr University Bochum

2011 - 2016

Bachelor of Science - Applied Computer Science @Cooperative State University Baden Wuerttemberg

2008 - 2011

University-entrance diploma - Informatics @Eugen-Reintjes-Schule

2004 - 2007

Languages

Language Skill-Level
German Native speaker
English Fluent in speech and writing

Programming Skills

C# Programming
C#
ASP.NET Core
Entity Framework
Python Programming
Python
FastAPI
Pydantic
Typer
TypeScript Programming
TypeScript
NodeJS
fastify
Angular

Skills

Markup Languages
HTML5/CSS3
Markdown
DevOps
Docker
Github/Github Actions
Rancher/Kubernetes
IT-Sec
Network Analysis
Cryptography
Protocol Security

Publications

Bachelor Thesis – Development and implementation of a secure WLAN concept

This thesis focuses on the development and deployment of a secure WLAN solution for multiple establishments. Various encryption techniques, authentication, and authorization mechanisms were analyzed to determine the most effective approach to ensuring network security. After designing the WLAN security concept, a pilot project was carried out at a selected establishment, where the solution was implemented and thoroughly tested through performance evaluations.

Master Thesis – Analysis, Implementation and Optimization of an End-2-End Security Concept for the Internet of Things in an Industry 4.0 Scenario

This thesis addresses the challenge of securing communication in Industry 4.0 environments, where computational devices communicate over potentially insecure channels, such as cellular radio. While existing solutions often rely on transport layer encryption, this approach does not offer end-to-end security across multiple untrusted hosts.

The thesis designs and evaluates end-to-end encryption mechanisms for constrained IoT devices, using protocols such as CoAP, MQTT, MQTT-SN, and WebSocket. The work was demonstrated on Intel's Quark™ SE Microcontroller, which provided the necessary hardware environment. Through this evaluation, the most suitable encryption method was identified and implemented across the selected protocols.

The results confirmed that end-to-end encryption can be effectively implemented without significantly affecting protocol performance, though scalability issues arose with increasing numbers of participants due to communication and computation overhead.