Brian McCullough
Senior Software Engineer, Consultant & Systems Administrator
With over 20 years of experience building and scaling robust web applications, I help businesses turn complex technical challenges into secure, revenue-driving products. Specializing in the PHP/Laravel ecosystem, full-stack JavaScript, and secure Linux server administration.
About Me
Versatile computer consultant, systems architect, and software engineer.
For over two decades, I have assisted a diverse range of clients—from solopreneurs and small startups to major government agencies and multinational corporations. My goal is always to deliver tailored technical solutions that enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable business growth.
My work spans the entire software lifecycle. Whether resolving complex PHP code conflicts for migration projects (like upgrading St. Jude Children's Research Hospital systems), designing scalable e-commerce systems powering over 1,500 sites globally, or implementing secure role-based systems for government intranet networks.
In addition to writing code, I have managed robust IT infrastructures. This includes server installation, DNS management, email server configurations, cybersecurity reinforcement, and network performance optimizations.
Full-Stack Development
Expertise in building scalable systems using PHP (Laravel, Yii2), JavaScript/TypeScript (VueJS, Node), and modern web frameworks.
Systems & Cloud Admin
Deep knowledge in Linux System Administration, AWS cloud architecture, server maintenance, Docker, and DNS management.
Security & QA Standards
Implementing cybersecurity measures, performing FDA-compliant failure investigations, and building robust automated testing suites.
Leadership & Mentoring
Experience acting as an Interim CTO, supervising developer teams, mentoring junior engineers, and writing technical manuals.
Technical Skills
A comprehensive overview of the programming languages, database technologies, systems, and leadership abilities I have honed throughout my career.
Programming & Development
Database Management
Tools & System Infrastructure
E-Commerce & Payment Systems
Leadership & Professional Skills
Featured Projects
A selection of major enterprise architectures, database migrations, and systems engineering projects I have led.
Corporate Infrastructure Modernization
Designed and implemented a ground-up redesign and replacement of a 15-year-old legacy infrastructure. Rebuilt using Laravel and Vue.js to unify inventory, sales, customer management, vendor tracking, expenses, and service staff activity into a single, high-performance platform.
Decision Support Environment (DSE)
Co-designed the logical and physical architecture of the DSE client-server application. Supervised programming teams in developing complex systems to analyze healthcare statistics, regional planning, and key policy decisions for the provincial health department.
E-Commerce Scaling & Payment Systems
Managed the technical architecture, development, and scaling of a large e-commerce platform powering over 1,500 sites globally. Integrated Braintree Payments, Square, and PayPal while enhancing mobile responsiveness and database query speed.
Government Intranet & Access Control
Architected and secured a high-traffic internal intranet platform supporting several hundred users. Engineered role-based database access control systems and implemented automated PDF report generation from dynamic MySQL and MS SQL Server data.
Professional Experience
A chronological history of my consulting engagements, CTO leadership, and engineering roles.
President, Senior Consultant & Software Engineer
- Advise and consult clients on technical solutions aligned with business goals, leveraging Drupal, Laravel, VueJS, and Wordpress for full-stack development.
- Direct full-cycle development of web applications with a strong focus on enterprise architecture and API integrations.
- Manage the maintenance and updates of mission-critical applications using PHP 7/8, Laravel, and NodeJS.
- Optimize performance and user experience with responsive design using HTML, CSS, jQuery, VueJS, and TypeScript.
- Integrate payment systems including Square, Paypal, Braintree, and Drupal e-commerce.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and engineering teams to streamline project management and deployment.
Senior Software Engineer (Consulting)
- Enhanced and streamlined a legacy YII2 PHP framework application, improving performance and maintainability through code refactoring and automated testing with PHPUnit.
- Planned and executed the upgrade strategy for an on-premises OpenVMS system, coordinating cross-functional efforts to identify and address technical challenges.
- Collaborated with business stakeholders and engineering teams to modernize critical infrastructure, ensuring minimal downtime and a seamless transition.
- Coordinated project management tasks using GitHub, Slack, and Jira, while integrating agile methodologies and test-driven strategies through PHPUnit.
Senior Software Engineer (Employee)
- Orchestrated a seamless data migration from legacy systems to modern software versions, minimizing disruptions for clinicians and educational institutions.
- Revamped the permission system and bolstered the automated testing suite, significantly enhancing software reliability and security in line with agile best practices.
- Maintained and optimized applications on a Debian Linux stack using PHP 8.x, Laravel, Docker, MySQL, and AWS services, utilizing BitBucket, Slack, and Jira.
Interim CTO, Lead PHP Developer, Senior Architect
- Assumed an interim CTO role to ensure seamless project continuity while providing technical leadership during a critical transition period.
- Implemented system analysis and established comprehensive documentation standards that improved team efficiency and streamlined onboarding processes.
- Architected and deployed a scalable email messaging feature and integrated robust version control practices, reinforcing code management and collaboration.
- Resolved critical issues within the payment processing system, restoring functionality and ensuring seamless service delivery.
PHP Developer & Senior Software Engineer (Consulting)
- Resolved complex PHP code conflicts during the migration from Red Hat Linux 7 to 8, ensuring system stability and accurate testing with Browserstack and PHPUnit.
- Refactored database interaction logic to align with upgraded infrastructure, improving performance and compatibility with PostgreSQL and MS SQL Server.
- Maintained version control integrity through regular validation and updates to Git repositories, enabling streamlined collaboration across development teams.
Education & Training
My academic credentials and technology training in computer science.
American Institute of Computer Sciences
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Computer Science
University of Alberta
Computer Science Studies
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Computer Science Technology
Community & Voluntarism
Active involvement in open-source projects, steering committees, and local user groups.
CAcert, Inc.
Contributing to the community-driven certificate authority, helping secure web communications.
Triangle Linux User Group
Supporting local Linux user communities, participating in technical meetups, and handling financial administration.
Xen Project
Contributing to virtual infrastructure development, primarily working on improving documentation and the official Wiki.
Cardinal Toastmasters
Honing public speaking, presentation skills, and constructive peer evaluation.
Recommendations
Kind words and professional endorsements from colleagues, clients, and industry peers over the course of my career.
“Brian is the kind of engineer who shows up every day ready to dig into the most complex, unglamorous work imaginable. I watched him methodically untangle a massive legacy data migration — the kind of problem that would make most people run — and he just kept at it. He always came prepared with data, queries, and questions that pushed us toward the right answer faster than I would've gotten there alone. What I appreciated most was his honesty. When he was stuck, he said so. When he made a mistake, he owned it immediately and got to work fixing it. That made him really easy to collaborate with, even on the gnarliest of problems. He's also just a genuinely good person to work with. Patient, funny, and always grateful — which goes a long way on a long project. Any team tackling serious data work would be lucky to have Brian.”
Jake Galbraith
Senior Software Engineer at eLuma | Online Therapy
“Brian and I have known each other for too many years to mention. I recently had the opportunity to reconnect and took advantage of his capabilities to help solve a problem within our organization. Brian has a broad skillset and years of experience dealing with smaller (and larger) software systems where you need a jack of all trades kind of understanding to solve the problems you encounter. I would happily recommend Brian to anyone looking for his skills and easy going personality.”
Rick Duff
Software Engineering Leader
“I have worked with Brian for 5 years in Triangle Aerial Surveys, where he was the backbone for the IT division. He managed the Network management, to server management, to database management, System installations and maintenance. Thereafter (15 years) I have consulted with Brian off and on multiple different geospatial projects. I can attest to his capabilities in understanding and problem solving skills in any Information technology related field. He is an asset where old technology meets new technology and building a bridge is required.”
Mohan Palleti
Spatial Analysis Consultant, NCDOT, Raleigh, North Carolina
Get In Touch
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Direct Contact
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