Joshua T Kalis he/him/his

I build great teams and excellent software.

Technology leader, deeply passionate about fostering great teams to solve challenging problems under a shared vision and common goals. Proven ability to deliver mission-critical, high-profile projects on tight deadlines. Diversity and inclusion champion, skilled in developing healthy organizations built on mutual respect, transparency, and candid communication.

Experience

Visiting Media

May 2023 - Current

Engienering Team Lead

At Visiting Media I lead a talented group of software engineers building B2B Software as a Service (SaaS) for the hospitality sales industry. We are building a sales enablement platform to enable our customers to have "super powers" with respect to selling their properties' amenities to their customers.

Guaranteed Rate

Dec 2021 - Jul 2022

Enterprise Architect & Engineering Manager

I joined the Enterprise Architecture team to focus on their front-end user experience. However, shortly after joining the company (2 days) the Engineering Manager for their core services team gave notice and the company was not going to be hiring a replacement and needed someone to step into that role and with my experience I was a perfect fit.

Rocket Mortgage / Quicken Loans

Mar 2018 - Dec 2021

Engineering Manager (Team Leader)

Guided and developed an SRE team of software and systems engineers responsible for the reliability of client and partner-facing digital storefronts, critical company infrastructure, post-incident response, root cause analysis, API development, and ad hoc projects.

Rocket Mortgage / Quicken Loans

Nov 2015 - Mar 2018

Software Architect

Promoted to a hybrid role with a mix of technical responsibilities related to an AWS migration and transition to REST while also taking on expanded responsibilities in mentoring and coaching teams.

Rocket Mortgage / Quicken Loans

Apr 2012 - Nov 2015

Senior Software Engineer & Technical Lead

Hired to Quicken Loans as one of the first software engineers assigned to a 30-member team focused on ideation for a new project that would later become Rocket Mortgage and grow to $40B annual sales.

Centurion Medical Products

Sep 2010 - Apr 2012

Senior Software Engineer

Michigan State University - Academic Information Systems

Sep 2008 - Jun 2010

Senior Software Engineer

Michigan State University - International Business Center

Apr 2003 - Sep 2008

Software Engineer & Technical Lead

Education

Michigan State University

May 2006

Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media - BA

Non-Information Technology

Aquamen Landscaping, White Lake, MI

Landscape Designer/Owner

Apr 2001 - Aug 2005

  • Designed and installed landscapes and built structures
  • Collected accounts payable and purchased requisite supplies

Meridian Lawn Care & Snow Removal, Meridian Twp, MI

Landscaping Coordinator

Feb 2003 - Sep 2004

  • Collaborative design with customers
  • Purchased materials for landscapes in excess of $50,000

Case Residence Hall Cafeteria [MSU], East Lansing, MI

Prep-Cook

Mar 2002 - Apr 2003

  • Prepared and served food - 2000 meals per day
  • Mentored 3 students per semester in proper food preparation

Cobra Enterprises, Madison Heights, MI

Machinist

Jun 1999 - Jan 2002

  • Refined production of multi-million dollar prototype manufacturing jobs
  • Modified machining techniques to reduce down time
  • Verified quality control specifications

Video Giant, Sterling Heights, MI

Store Manager

Sep 1996 - Apr 1999

  • Regulated inventory and reduced theft in 7 stores
  • Employee relations including: scheduling, hiring, and firing
  • Trained 40 employees each year

Wheeler & Sons Construction, Independence Twp, MI

Carpenter

May 1996 - Aug 1996

  • Basic structural framing in residential housing
  • Manual labor organizing building materials

Sweetwater’s Bistro, Keego Harbor, MI

Swing Cook

Sep 1994 - May 1996

  • Mediated service of an average of 900 meals per night
  • Adapted to work in high demand environments