
J Scott Smith
Engineering Manager
Nike Virtual Studios in Los Angeles 🌴
Who
Technical Engineering Manager leading teams to build modern, performant web applications. Focused on creating exceptional user experiences through collaborative leadership, hands-on technical contributions, and fostering environments of continuous learning and innovation
Experience Highlights
Hands-on Engineering Manager building modern web products
- 9+ years of software engineering experience building modern web products with React frameworks (NextJS, Gatsby, Vite), TypeScript, REST APIs, and GraphQL, including comprehensive server-client interactions
- 3+ years of engineering management leading a diverse frontend engineering team of 4+ engineers with varied skill levels through regular 1-on-1s, providing technical support, career coaching, and conflict resolution
- Led frontend development from 0-to-1 for a new digital product at Nike called dotSWOOSH, contributing to over $50 million in enterprise revenue
- Managed direct reports with responsibility for performance reviews, compensation conversations, and individual career development planning through goal setting and support
- Cross-functional collaboration with product, design, data, and senior leadership teams to develop and implement technical strategies that achieve business objectives and drive innovation
- Demonstrated experience building technical organizations through creating interview processes, conducting interviews, and structuring teams into squad models
- Created and maintained high-performing team culture through leading with empathy, running bi-weekly meetings, providing technical mentorship, and establishing knowledge sharing initiatives
- Utilized AI agentic workflows to accelerate prototyping of 3D experience and research for discovering and pitching new business opportunities to senior leadership
- Influenced senior leadership to adopt a content component system, accelerating content delivery for new launches by 40% on the swoosh.nike web experience
- Delivered high-quality products and solutions during high-traffic events while maintaining hands-on code contributions and architectural oversight
Engineer with a creative edge
- Bridged design and engineering teams through technical translation, collaborative workflows, and cross-functional communication
- Built rich interactive experiences using Canvas, SVG, and WebGL APIs to create engaging user interfaces and animations
- Applied comprehensive CSS expertise across vanilla CSS, SCSS modules, and modern token-based solutions like Tailwind CSS
- Leveraged design and motion graphics expertise in typography, 3D workflows, and animation to enhance user experiences
- Delivered comprehensive design assets including wireframes, user flows, prototypes, brand identities, and style guides
- Focused on the user by taking features beyond the requirements to create surprise, delight, and memorable user experiences
Work History
Big Storm Creative Studio
Designer and Web Developer
2014 – 2012
CSU Chancellor’s Office
Graphic Designer
2012
California State University Summer Arts
Graphic Designer
2012 – 2011
Visual Purple
3D Artist and Animator
2006 – 2008
Technologies
A non-exhaustive list of technologies or software I've worked with:
TypeScript
JavaScript ES6+
React JS
Optimizely
Contentful
Redux/MobX
Node JS
Vitest/Jest
REST
GraphQL
SQL/Sequelize
Webpack/Rollup
Babel
Git/GitFlow
Agile/Scrum
Docker
Canvas
GreenSock
Lottie
SCSS/SASS
Tailwind
HTML5/CSS3
Backbone MVC
PHP
Figma
Sketch
Adobe Creative Suite
Interests
Leadership
Management
Mentorship
Product Strategy
Product Development
UI Design Systems
Animation
WebGL
User Experience
Open source
Web accessibility: A11y/ARIA
Functional programming
Rapid prototyping
React Native
Unit testing
Education
Memorisely
Product Design UI/UX Bootcamp
2022
California State University, Long Beach
BFA Graphic Design
2008 – 2012
Book Shop Ads: Creative Advertising School
2009
CSU Summer Arts
2009
Long Beach City College
2007
Allan Hancock College
2004 – 2007
Awards & Honors
Young Ones Advertising Competition Finalists in Client Pitch
2012
Magna Cum Laude
2012
Fine Arts Affiliates Scholarship
2010
Mary Stephens, V.P. Administration and Finance Purchase Award
2008, 2010, 2012
CSULB President’s List of Honors
2008 – 2012
Santa Maria Arts Council Grant
2007