JACOB CLARK / THE 60-SECOND INTRODUCTION
Builder by trade.
Curious by default.
I’m a lead backend engineer, product builder, and founder. For more than two decades, I’ve turned complicated ideas into software people can actually use.
Engineer.
Systems thinker.
Relentless maker.
HOW I THINK ABOUT THE WORK
Own the problem.
Build the missing piece.
My range runs from enterprise cloud infrastructure and AI-assisted workflows to game-engine tooling, mobile products, and realtime interfaces. The common thread is staying close to a problem, making it approachable, and following the work all the way into production.
THE EXPERIENCE
2004 — PRESENTIgnite Sales
Lead Backend Engineer
Leading backend architecture for enterprise conversation and AI-assisted onboarding products used by financial institutions.
- Modernized a large decision-tree platform for rapid AWS scaling.
- Designed enterprise customization, self-service publishing, and integration systems.
- Led a major MongoDB migration across multiple databases and clusters.
Alchemist Technologies
Founder
Founded a SaaS studio focused on automation products, including Stream Elixir and TradeLab.
- Shipped a cross-platform automation desktop app for live-stream creators.
- Built a configurable market-strategy and trading automation platform.
EZFORMS
Lead of Product Development
Led the evolution of an enterprise document platform across web, mobile, reporting, and SDK surfaces.
- Created the core web-based drag-and-drop document builder.
- Delivered native and Ionic applications for iOS and Android.
- Designed durable data models for enterprise reporting and integrations.
Nerd Kingdom
Lead of Tool Development
Led a three-person team building a connected suite of tools for a custom C++ game engine.
- Built editors for assets, particles, UI, atlases, terrain, and animation.
- Connected Electron, WebGL, TypeScript, and the live engine with a performance-first architecture.
Lucent Mobile
Lead of Custom Development
Led mobile-focused custom development while building the first generation of the EZFORMS platform.
- Coordinated multiple client products and technology stacks in parallel.
- Delivered enterprise web, Android, and iOS solutions on weekly cycles.
FoodTronix
IT Support → Lead Developer
Moved from customer support into development for a restaurant-management and point-of-sale software suite.
- Integrated MSSQL, QuickBooks, printers, and payment gateways.
- Built a support dashboard that increased customer-service productivity by 45%.
Real World Web Design
Founder
Designed and built custom websites in the early era of user-generated content and open-source CMS platforms.
- Delivered HTML, PHP, and MySQL websites for businesses and creative clients.
- Configured and extended WordPress, Joomla, phpBB, and other early platforms.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
A FEW FAVORITES IN THE TOOLBOXLanguages
Platforms
Interfaces
Practice
SAME CURIOSITY. DIFFERENT CHAPTERS.
First signal
Started building for the web before responsive design had a name.
Software becomes the job
Moved from frontline support into product engineering and never stopped shipping.
Product and tools leadership
Led enterprise product development and a custom game-engine tools team in parallel.
Founder mode
Started Alchemist Technologies to turn automation ideas into products.
Still at the edge
Leading enterprise backend systems while exploring AI-native tools and expressive interfaces.
WHERE A LOT OF IT STARTED
Game & Simulation Programming
DeVry University · Irving, Texas · 2009—2013
DirectX rendering, custom 3D tools, and a homemade motion-capture system built with six PlayStation Eye cameras. The instinct to make things has always been there.