Software Engineer

Me With My Ray-Ban Meta Eyeglasses

About Me

James is a Los Angeles, California based software author recognized for his expertise in ReactJS / NextJS website, SwiftUI mobile app, and MERN stack database project production and development. He is the Lead Software Engineer at Optical Automation, LLC, where he builds responsive, animated, and scalable websites and mobile apps. He coding philosophy includes AI enabled editing tools for producing precise, practical, and innovative software.

Early Years In The Valley

I grew up in Los Angeles, completing my primary education in the West Valley. I was an average student in math, science, and english, surrounded by teachers who managed classrooms filled with every type of kid: the brilliant, the struggling, and those in between. I excelled in industrial arts drafting, printshop, photography, metal, electronics, and wood shop classes achieving top grades. Last semester high school years were general ed and photography I and II elective classes using his Nikon camera at live concert events and real life events in high school. Like many of my peers, I had simple goals — to be a good person, find meaningful work, and someday have a family.

Outside of school, I worked part-time in assembly, plumbing, and manufacturing jobs. I rode and tinkered with motorcycles and cars, and immersed myself in music. I drove my motorcycles Honda in the dirt Trail 70, Enduro 125, Elsinore 125, and in the street Dual 350 and Four cylinder 500 everywhere. Also percussion was my passion. I practiced rudiments on the snare, studied drum tom fills, and built up my Ludwig drum kit with toms, cymbals, and even one of the first Paiste Brand, China-type ride cymbals. Learned Studio Recording Techniques and later got my country rock band into four modern Hollywood Recording Studios. My heroes were Billy Cobham, John McLaughlin, and Mahavishnu Orchestra, alongside the legendary bands of the era — The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, and Yes. My initial experiences were to find and play with as many artistic musicians as possible, concerts, friends, long hair, and fun, but always with my musicianship at the center.

Education and Early Work

I pursued higher education at community colleges and the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia. At the same time, I worked downtown Los Angeles at AZ Radio, an authorized dealer for General Electric, Hotpoint, RCA, Sony, Whirlpool, and Zenith. We sold hundreds of televisions and appliances each month, and I earned enough to buy a home near the Valley and downtown. A motorcycle accident in the desert left me with a broken leg and six months of recovery. That time forced me to reflect deeply on my future. My interests in music and electronics led me to continue my education further central in California.

Cal Poly and Engineering

In the early 1980s, I was accepted into California Polytechnic State University. The coursework was demanding, especially for someone who considered himself an average student. I studied engineering full-time, learned basic, intermediate, and engineering English writing and spent countless hours with pen and paper. The arrival of the IBM-PC was a major shift in writing and my creative style. Word processing, typing games, and programming languages like Fortran, C, C++, and BASIC opened new doors. I learned microprocessor programming Assembly Language for the Zilog, Intel, and Motorola systems. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. After graduation, I joined Hughes Aircraft as a engineering manager overseeing a team of twenty-five engineers tasked with building an electronics component database. It was my first major role, but the economy was tight, and the position lasted only a year. Still, I celebrated with my first Corvette Stingray sports car — a symbol of achievement and excitement.

The Search for Opportunity

I sent hundreds of resumes to Silicon Valley, determined to find work but unwilling to leave California. I avoided the snowy weather of the north and the hurricanes of the south, choosing instead to stay rooted in Southern California where my family lived. My faith — Jewish at heart with a Christian Armenian heritage — grounded me through uncertain times. With my engineering talent, I engineered mechanical hardware and computer software for two eyeglass measuring systems, developed prototypes, and submitted two U.S. patents. I also pursued SBIR grants under my corporate name, Optical Automation, but seed funding never materialized. Eventually, I found employment at AT&T around the year 2000. Initially hired as a computer technician installing the Internet to Apple and Windows customer computers. I later moved into Northern California Call Center, provisioning and repairing T1 digital circuits across California and later nationally to business clients. Medical challenges led me to retire early, but decades of employment ensured stability through Social Security. Alongside my work, I explored the growing Internet, buying domain names and programming websites — the foundation of my continuous journey into software and online commerce.

Technology, Commerce, and Creativity

Retirement didn’t slow me down. I launched GoodDayMusic.com, buying and selling musical instruments online and building a national e-commerce presence that still exists today. Apple computers became my focus. I programmed mobile apps for the App Store, first in Swift and later in SwiftUI. I designed software systems, developed websites, and today still search and buy international website domain names. As my parents’ health declined, I sold my inventory and moved in with them, continuing to study software development. I became proficient with the computer programming languages ReactJS, NextJS, and the MERN stack, and more recently began working with Cursor 2.0, an AI-powered tool for Visual Studio Code, primarily using Python and ReactJS. Now I am equipped with the fastest engineering tools for producing Internet website and database software than every before.

Today and Tomorrow

Today, programming feels like the design and driving a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X — hyper-speed, exhilarating, and transformative. With decades of experience, from Cal Poly to modern frameworks, I see software as both art and engineering. Artificial Intelligence tools now allow me to program the software to deliver hyper-speed software development. With Antigravity AI and Cursor 2.0, websites are built in days and fully developed in less than a month. The Internet, now over fifty years old, has given people everywhere the chance to learn, connect, and be entertained. I am motivated by the possibilities of technology and the vision of innovators who shape our world. My mission is to share knowledge, teach others, and help educators, corporations, and individuals build and maintain websites that empower global communication.

Lessons Learned and Technology To Teach

My journey has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of lifelong learning. From my early days in electronics to mastering modern web technologies, I have embraced change and innovation. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others, helping them navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or collaborating on projects, I aim to inspire others to explore the possibilities of software development and digital innovation. Challenges can be overcome, and technology offers endless opportunities. From Microsoft DOS and Windows to Apple computers, from domain names to e-commerce, I have built a life around learning, adapting, and creating.

Legacy and Vision

This is my story — a blend of business, innovation, music, engineering, and innovation. Optical Automation our innovative information technology company is nearly thirty years old. Our talent, innovation, and I invite you to join me in exploring the basics, intermediate, and advanced world of information website publishing technology, where creativity meets progress, and where the future is always waiting to be built. With my talent, learn to use the fastest, smartest, and intelligent way to design, produce, and publish computer software and website information technology.