Illustrated Austin at his laptop, with an open binder, a cozy virtual pet, a plant, and coffee

Austin Howe

Senior engineering leader

I founded Reedstories to build practical AI, education, and community products.

Specializations

AI/ML Systems

LLM · Large language modelAn AI model trained on large amounts of data to work with language. It can generate text, answer questions, and summarize information.Read more about LLM · Large language modelLLM (An AI model trained on large amounts of data to work with language. It can generate text, answer questions, and summarize information.) integration, OCR · Optical character recognitionTechnology that turns text in a scan or image into text software can search and process. For example, it can read the words on a photographed receipt.Read more about OCR · Optical character recognitionOCR (Technology that turns text in a scan or image into text software can search and process. For example, it can read the words on a photographed receipt.) systems, ML · Machine learningA way to build software by training it to recognize patterns in data. Those patterns can help it classify information or make predictions.Read more about ML · Machine learningmachine learning (A way to build software by training it to recognize patterns in data. Those patterns can help it classify information or make predictions.) pipelines, and voice processing

EdTech Platforms

Learning management, assessment tools, and student analytics

Healthcare Tech

EHR · Electronic health recordA digital patient health record maintained by healthcare providers, such as medical history, medicines, test results, and clinical notes.Read more about EHR · Electronic health recordElectronic health records (A digital patient health record maintained by healthcare providers, such as medical history, medicines, test results, and clinical notes.), HIPAAA U.S. law whose rules include protections for certain health information. In this portfolio, the term refers to health-data privacy and security requirements.Read more about HIPAAHIPAA (A U.S. law whose rules include protections for certain health information. In this portfolio, the term refers to health-data privacy and security requirements.) compliance, and insurance processing

Tech Leadership

Team management, software architecture, and strategic planning

Experience

Reedstories

Founder

Current

Highlights

  • Founded an independent studio to design, build, and operate small, useful software products
  • Built MCPBinder alongside MarketStand, Confidaint, Accelerated Viewer, and the Sensipets Public betaAn early version people can try while its creators gather feedback and continue improving it.public beta (An early version people can try while its creators gather feedback and continue improving it.)
  • Built products across agent collaboration, marketing operations, AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) education, entertainment learning, and community gaming

Leadership

  • Owns product strategy, architecture, implementation, and operations across the portfolio
  • Balances automation with human review, measured evidence, and responsible AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) disclosures

AI systems

  • Built AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.)-assisted research and drafting workflows that require human approval before action
  • Developed AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.)-powered learning, quiz, and creative systems with transparent product boundaries
scale
5 products
Context
4 live + public beta
Focus
Independent Software
AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) Product Architecture
Full-Stack Development
Human-in-the-loopA person stays involved in a software or AI workflow to review, decide, or approve what happens next.Human-in-the-Loop AI (A person stays involved in a software or AI workflow to review, decide, or approve what happens next.)
Product Operations

MagicSchool

Staff Engineer

Jan 2025 - Jun 2026

Highlights

  • Introduced the application's first AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) tool-calling architecture
  • Built ETL · Extract, transform, loadA process for moving data between systems: collect it, clean or reshape it, then put it where it will be used.Read more about ETL · Extract, transform, loadETL (A process for moving data between systems: collect it, clean or reshape it, then put it where it will be used.) pipelines for educational standards and institutional data
  • Helped shape and deliver a new AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.)-powered quiz experience

Leadership

  • Managed engineers and led the student squad
  • Led AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) knowledge sharing through documentation, examples, and a cross-team working group
  • Presented company-wide on AI agentSoftware that uses AI to work toward a goal, choose steps, and use tools to carry them out. For example, an agent can look up project context and draft a task plan.Read more about AI agentagentic AI (Software that uses AI to work toward a goal, choose steps, and use tools to carry them out. For example, an agent can look up project context and draft a task plan.) systems and responsible applications in education

AI systems

  • Enabled reliable, multi-step, context-aware AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) workflows
  • Accelerated collective learning around AI agentSoftware that uses AI to work toward a goal, choose steps, and use tools to carry them out. For example, an agent can look up project context and draft a task plan.Read more about AI agentagentic AI (Software that uses AI to work toward a goal, choose steps, and use tools to carry them out. For example, an agent can look up project context and draft a task plan.) patterns

Education

  • Enabled scalable ingestion and normalization of educational standards
  • Improved classroom usability through close product and design collaboration
scale
Company-wide AI
Context
Student squad
Focus
K-12 Education
AI agentSoftware that uses AI to work toward a goal, choose steps, and use tools to carry them out. For example, an agent can look up project context and draft a task plan.Read more about AI agentAgentic AI (Software that uses AI to work toward a goal, choose steps, and use tools to carry them out. For example, an agent can look up project context and draft a task plan.)
AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) Tool Calling
VoltAgent
ETL · Extract, transform, loadA process for moving data between systems: collect it, clean or reshape it, then put it where it will be used.Read more about ETL · Extract, transform, loadETL (A process for moving data between systems: collect it, clean or reshape it, then put it where it will be used.) Pipelines
Educational Data

Soundry Health

Founding / Staff Engineer

Nov 2021 - Nov 2024

Highlights

  • Built HIPAAA U.S. law whose rules include protections for certain health information. In this portfolio, the term refers to health-data privacy and security requirements.Read more about HIPAAHIPAA (A U.S. law whose rules include protections for certain health information. In this portfolio, the term refers to health-data privacy and security requirements.)-compliant EHR · Electronic health recordA digital patient health record maintained by healthcare providers, such as medical history, medicines, test results, and clinical notes.Read more about EHR · Electronic health recordEHR (A digital patient health record maintained by healthcare providers, such as medical history, medicines, test results, and clinical notes.) platform with practice management tools
  • Engineered automated insurance claims processing worth $200k+
  • Created tools for financial tracking and practice administration
  • Migrated sites to Next.js, improving SEO · Search engine optimizationWork that helps search engines understand a website and helps people find it through search.Read more about SEO · Search engine optimizationSEO (Work that helps search engines understand a website and helps people find it through search.) by 90%

Leadership

  • Transitioned from contractor to Founding Engineer
  • Conducted evaluations of team bottlenecks and implemented solutions
  • Managed hiring and firing decisions
  • Partnered with CEO to iterate on business strategies

AI systems

  • Built AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.)-powered SOAP note generation using OpenAI
  • Developed voice dictation tools with AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.) transcription
  • Created OCR · Optical character recognitionTechnology that turns text in a scan or image into text software can search and process. For example, it can read the words on a photographed receipt.Read more about OCR · Optical character recognitionOCR (Technology that turns text in a scan or image into text software can search and process. For example, it can read the words on a photographed receipt.)-driven EOB parsers for insurance workflows
  • Implemented AI · Artificial intelligenceSoftware that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.Read more about AI · Artificial intelligenceAI (Software that performs tasks such as recognizing patterns, generating content, or making predictions. The projects here use it for research, learning, and creation.)-assisted provider-patient matching
scale
75+ practices
Context
$200k+ claims
Focus
Healthcare
React
Next.js
TailwindCSS
Turborepo
Refine
Apollo
Postgres
Hasura
NextAuth
AWS Lambda
SQS
SES
EC2
DynamoDB
OpenAI
Stripe
Earlier experience

Kiddom, Udemy, Disney, WePay, and more.

Reed Stories

Co-Founder & CTO

Jan 2021 - Nov 2021

Highlights

  • Built virtual pet system and forum with item/pet/user linking
  • Developed mini-games using Construct 3
  • Created animated gardening feature with React
  • Designed virtual economy with restocking and scarcity mechanics

Leadership

  • Led creation of the Sensipets educational platform
  • Designed pitch deck securing initial funding interest
  • Led technical architecture and development strategy
  • Made ethical decision to close before completing funding round

Education

  • Founded platform to reinvent education through storytelling
  • Designed plugin to integrate progress from learning platforms
  • Created educational incentives through gamification
scale
797k target users
Context
$4M TAM
Focus
EdTech Gaming
React
Next.js
Material-UI
Draft.js
CakePHP
Stripe
AWS
Heroku
GraphQL
urql

Kiddom

Engineering Manager

Jul 2019 - Jul 2021

Highlights

  • Evolved curriculum ingestion into key revenue stream
  • Led backend transition to Cassandra for curriculum storage
  • Designed multi-step plugin system for curriculum parsing
  • Enhanced remote learning capabilities during COVID-19

Leadership

  • Led backend teams of 8 engineers across locations
  • Organized company's first virtual hackathon
  • Created team-building initiatives like "Drawing and Donuts"
  • Mentored engineers through career development and promotions

Education

  • Automated curriculum processing from PDF to structured data
  • Implemented scalable content delivery system
  • Created curriculum provider partnership tools
scale
Enterprise platform
Context
8 engineer team
Focus
K-12 Education
Go
Ruby on Rails
Cassandra
MariaDB
Node.js
React
Next.js
AWS
Docker
Terraform

Udemy

Software Engineer

Dec 2018 - Jul 2019

Highlights

  • Updated instructor management system
  • Optimized course landing pages for global conversion
  • Explored success metrics for instructors
  • Led UI optimizations for marketing performance

Education

  • Developed instructor success tracking system
  • Enhanced course engagement metrics
scale
Global platform
Context
Millions of users
Focus
Online Learning
React
Python
Django
Flask
AWS
Handlebars.js
Datadog

Disney Parks

Senior Software Engineer

Jun 2014 - Jan 2017

Highlights

  • Developed Disney Cruise Line mobile apps
  • Created ship-to-guest communication system
  • Expanded resort websites globally
  • Coordinated with ship IT for real-time support

Leadership

  • Led team of 8 engineers across iOS and Android
  • Managed distributed teams across US and Argentina
  • Organized "Treasure Seekers" team-building initiative
  • Created onboarding programs for new developers
scale
Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruise Ships
Context
8 engineer team
Focus
Travel Technology
iOS
Objective-C
PHP
Zend
jQuery
CSS
Openfire XMPP

WePay

Senior Software Engineer

Sep 2012 - May 2014

Highlights

  • Maintained iOS payment application
  • Built flexible discount code system
  • Created an asynchronous reporting system with Gearman and S3
  • Improved user onboarding experience

Leadership

  • Founded "WeTeach" knowledge-sharing initiative
  • Organized engineering team's first team building
  • Led collaboration with design and product teams
  • Managed project updates for user onboarding
scale
Early Stage Startup
Context
Startup growth
Focus
Payment Processing
PHP
Zend
iOS
Objective-C
JavaScript
Gearman
AWS S3
MySQL

Disney Parks Online

Web Developer

Oct 2011 - Aug 2012

Highlights

  • Built resort reservation platform
  • Implemented Cars Land ticketing system
  • Created mobile ticket sales with QR code entry
  • Ensured ADA/PCI compliance for deliverables
scale
Disney Parks and Resorts
Context
Mobile-first deployment
Focus
Theme Park Tech
PHP
Zend
CSS
jQuery
PHPUnit
QUnit
JMeter
JBehave

How Stuff Works International

Web Developer

May 2010 - Sep 2011

Highlights

  • Built multi-layered applications with Zend
  • Designed search indexing systems with Lucene
  • Developed custom Joomla systems
  • Launched Sharecare platform
scale
Global reach
Context
New Vertical
Focus
Digital Publishing
PHP
Zend
Lucene
Joomla
HTML
CSS
JavaScript

AutoTrader Latino

Software Engineer

May 2008 - May 2010

Highlights

  • Built WAP mobile platforms for vehicle listings
  • Created SMS vehicle inquiry system
  • Developed dealer response platform
  • Optimized image processing reducing CPU usage by 50%
scale
3 datacenters
Context
99% uptime
Focus
Vehicle Marketplace
PHP
Oracle
JavaScript
Prototype.js
MooTools
GD Library
SOAP

Automercado

Web Developer

Jul 2007 - May 2008

Highlights

  • Maintained vehicle listings site
  • Developed web services for data integration
  • Processed dealer data files via SFTP
  • Optimized search queries with Oracle team
scale
Regional platform
Context
Acquisition target
Focus
Vehicle Marketplace
PHP
Oracle
Prototype.js
MooTools
SOAP
SFTP

Technology expertise

Frontend & UI

React/Next.js
8+ years
TailwindCSS
3+ years
Material-UI
4+ years
TypeScript
5+ years
jQuery
10+ years

Backend & APIs

Node.js
7+ years
Go
3+ years
Python
5+ years
PHP
15+ years
Ruby/Rails
3+ years

Cloud & DevOps

AWS Suite
7+ years
Docker
5+ years
Terraform
3+ years
CI/CD
6+ years
Monitoring
8+ years

Database & Storage

PostgreSQL
6+ years
MongoDB
4+ years
Cassandra
2+ years
DynamoDB
3+ years
MySQL / MariaDB
10+ years

Selected products

Explore all products