# John 'Rebel' McLaughlin (@rebel.eurosky.social)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/rebel.eurosky.social
Headline: Programming: Making things that allow you to focus on things you enjoy.

## About

Software Engineer with a background in backend systems, game platform services, SDKs,
developer tools, and client features for live multiplayer games and cloud services. Experienced across
product teams at Riot Games, AWS for Games, Twitch, Amazon, and earlier game technology roles, with a
focus on reliable systems, developer workflows, mentoring, and collaborative technical leadership.

## Career

- **Senior Software Engineer at Riot Games** (Feb 2023 - Present)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  Developed client social features and player behavior systems for Valorant using C++ and Unreal
  Engine 4 and 5.
  ● Built server-side player rating and penalty features with Go and AWS services.
  ● Delivered game platform systems supporting live multiplayer experiences and player trust goals.
- **Software Development Engineer II   at Amazon Web Services** (Apr 2021 - Feb 2023)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  ● Implemented game SDK features for GameSparks and GameKit using C++17.
  ● Coordinated server SDK development for GameLift with Go and C#.
  ● Designed Unity and Unreal plugins to improve developer workflows across game services.
  ● Built showcase games demonstrating platform features in Unity and Unreal Engine 4.
  ● Mentored engineers and supported planning through scrum leadership and cross-team coordination.
- **Software Development Engineer II   at Amazon Web Services** (Apr 2020 - Apr 2021)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  ● Developed backend systems for AWS teams, cloud services, and an in-development game title.
  ● Replaced an outdated EC2-based service with an AWS Lambda-based solution.
  ● Supported project planning and led scrum meetings to help teams deliver platform work.
- **Senior Backend Game Engineer   at Etermax Berlin GmbH** (Jan 2020 - Mar 2020)
  Full-time · On-site
   Consulted with and mentored the engineering team on backend architecture and C# services using
  AWS.
- **Software Development Engineer II at Twitch Interactive** (Dec 2018 - Dec 2019)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  ● Designed and implemented services, APIs, and front-end features for Twitch Bits.
  ● Built monetization platform features with TypeScript, Go, React, GraphQL, and AWS.
- **Software Development Engineer  at Amazon Web Services** (May 2017 - Dec 2018)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  ● Redesigned monolithic services into microservices to improve platform scalability and maintainability.
  ● Integrated third-party backend systems to deliver in-game content through AWS-based services.
  ● Supported game-connected platform experiences with Java and cloud infrastructure development.
- **Senior Software Developer at 3dexcite** (Aug 2016 - Apr 2017)
  Full-time · On-site
  Developed tools and plugins for DeltaGen using C++ and Qt.
- **Researcher, Visual Computing Group at University of Magdeburg** (Mar 2015 - Jul 2016)
  Full-time · On-site
  ● Taught introductory computer science courses covering programming paradigms, Java, and C++.
  ● Researched flow visualization systems using C++ and Unreal Engine 4.
- **Production Engineer at Bungie** (Sep 2014 - Mar 2015)
  Contract · On-site
  ● Implemented and extended internal tools in C#.
  ● Supported artists and designers through workflow improvements.
- **Localization Tester - German at Bungie** (Feb 2014 - Sep 2014)
  Contract · On-site
  ● Tested German localization for Destiny and managed localization test passes.
  ● Built small tools and scripts supporting localization workflows with C# and Python.
- **German Support Tech   at 維爾福** (May 2012 - Jul 2013)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  Provided localization and German-language support for Valve products at high ticket volume.
- **Instructor   at University of Magdeburg** (Oct 2008 - Oct 2010)
  Temporary · On-site
  ● Taught university-level courses in entertainment software development, rapid prototyping, and
  advanced game development.
  ● Helped rebuild the game development curriculum with Prof. Dr. Holger Theisel.
- **Graphics Programming Intern at reality twist GmbH** (Oct 2009 - Feb 2010)
  Internship · On-site
  ● Developed a realistic atmospheric real-time rendering system using C++, C#, and HLSL.
  ● Programmed interface and gameplay elements for a helicopter simulator in C++.

## Skills

### Technical
- 3D Visualization
- AWS
- C#
- C++
- Game Development
- Git
- Go
- Graphics Programming
- GraphQL
- Java
- Linux
- Microservices
- Python
- Quality Assurance
- React
- Redis
- Software Engineering
- TypeScript
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
### Business
- Agile
- Agile Methodologies
- Data Visualization
- Project Management
### Interpersonal
- German
- Leadership
- Mentoring
- Research
- Teaching
### Security
- Technical Support
### Other
- Localization
- Qt

## Education

- **University of Magdeburg** — Diplom-Ingenieur, Computervisualistik (Oct 2005 - Jan 2012)

## Involvement

### Community
- Acagamics E.v. (Feb 2007 - Jan 2012)
  Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, DE
  President
  Rebuilt student game development club into thriving non-profit association that built a new game development curriculum and offered official university courses in game development.
  Skills: Teaching, Leadership
### Volunteering
- Technology Access Foundation (Mar 2026 - Present)
  Seattle, Washington, US
  Assist with teaching game development
  Helping teachers in middle and high school teach game development classes
  Skills: Teaching, Game Development

## Languages

- English (native)
- German (native)
- French (limited working)

## Links

- Personal website: https://kunsternst.de/