Summary
Principal Software Engineer with 18 years of Windows platform expertise, specializing in developer tools, CLI applications, and system-level infrastructure.
Deep experience shipping developer experiences to hundreds of millions of users — from File Explorer to Windows UI frameworks.
Passionate about making tools that work reliably in real-world Windows environments, not just controlled demos.
Experience
Microsoft, Redmond WA
- Architecting platform capabilities that enable AI coding tools to discover and invoke Windows functionality
- Designing integration points for VS Code extensions, CLI tools, and developer workflows
- Building developer tooling infrastructure — protocol design, system APIs, and cross-tool compatibility
- Collaborating on specifications for tool discovery and orchestration patterns
- Writing about developer tools and platform architecture at asklar.dev
Microsoft, Redmond WA
- Architect on Windows UI frameworks: XAML, WinUI 3, Windows App SDK — shipped to millions of developers
- Technical lead for lifting XAML out of the OS, enabling faster iteration for developer tooling
- Built tooling and libraries improving developer inner loop while retaining native performance
- Open source advocate: drove modern practices and improved cross-platform developer experience
Microsoft, Redmond WA
- Technical lead for Windows File Explorer — shipped to hundreds of millions of users
- Built developer productivity tooling, debugging infrastructure, and telemetry systems adopted org-wide
- Led XAML UI framework development — cross-team architecture spanning platform and developer tools
- Identified gaps in internal developer experience and built tools to address them
Microsoft, Redmond WA
- Led User Experience team for security updates across Windows XP through Windows 8
- Shipped updates with stringent safety and compatibility requirements to hundreds of millions of users
- Deep experience with Windows internals, installer edge cases, and enterprise deployment challenges
Skills
Languages
TypeScript, C#, C++, Python, PowerShell
Windows
Win32, WinRT, XAML, WinUI, Windows App SDK, PowerShell, Package Managers (winget, scoop, Chocolatey)
Tools
CLI Development, VS Code Extensions, Node.js/Bun, React, Git, Debugging (WinDbg, CDB)
AI/Agents
Claude, GitHub Copilot, Prompt Engineering, Tool Integration, Agent Workflows
Education
M.S. Electrical & Computer Engineering — GPA 4.0/4.0
Dual B.S. in Electrical Engineering + Computer Science (simultaneous)
First student in university history to complete both 5-year programs simultaneously