Daniel Hofmann
Vancouver, Canada
eMail: daniel.hofmann[at]spoonio.com
Background

I am a software engineer who is passionate about designing and writing code that is easy to understand, maintain and extend. Putting in the extra effort to produce cleaner code is a an investment that reduces the amount of time (and nerves) needed for future tasks in the medium-term and avoids bugs.
Striving for cleaner code requires life-long learning regarding prioritization, planning, and problem-solving as there will always be limiting factors.

Dreaming of creating video games myself when I was a child lead me to learn programming. This is how I first got into modding popular games; learning other skills like modeling, animation, and level design in the process. After that, I wrote several iterations of my own 3D game engines including editing tools before I started my first job.

Skills
  • Over 20 years of experience with C++
  • Other languages: C#, Java, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python
  • Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox360, PS3
  • Concurrent / asynchronous programming
  • Deep 3D computer graphics and math knowledge
  • Wide experience with Direct3D 11 / hlsl and OpenGL / cg / glsl
  • Frameworks / APIs: Qt, MFC, WinForms, WinUI, WinRT, Havok Middleware
  • Over 7 years of experience in professional game engine development
  • Experience developing plugins for Maya and 3dsMax
    (Model-Exporter, Cloth-Simulation)
Career
since May 2019
Software Engineer at Microsoft Canada (Bigpark)
Windows Photos app developer in Vancouver
  • UI control design
  • Software architecture
  • App lifecycle
  • Performance benchmarks
  • OS security fixes
Dec 2015 – Apr 2019
Software Engineer at Microsoft Ireland (Havok)
Tools development for internal 3D game engine supporting Windows Mixed Reality & HoloLens in Dublin
  • User workflow
  • Visual scripting UI
  • Visual Studio project generation
  • Asset browser
  • Python integration
  • Head-mounted display support
Jan 2012 – Nov 2015
Software Engineer at Havok
Working on all parts of the Vision Engine in Eningen (Germany):

Game Runtime, 3D Graphics, Tools

Platforms:

PC, Android, iOS, PS3, Xbox360 (Direct3D 9/11, OpenGL ES)

Other Experiences
Aug 2010 – Sept 2010
Six-week internship at the DFKI
in Saarbrücken
(German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence)
Integration of the Bullet physics engine
into a browser plugin extending XML3D.
2007 – 2010
Student Assistant at the GRIS in Tübingen
(Department of Graphical Interactive Systems, University of Tübingen)
  • Implementation of a texture synthesis algorithm
  • Implementation of an algorithm detecting symmetries in point clouds
  • Development of an application controlling a multi camera system
Education
Oct 2004 – Aug 2011
University of Tübingen (Germany)

Subject: Computer Science
Minor subject: Media Science

Thesis: 'Hi-Res video stream creation using a Multi-Camera Setup'
(computer vision, stiching, networking)

Degree: German 'Diplom-Informatiker'
(equivalent to MSc. in Computer Science)

Sept 2003 – June 2004
Alternative civilian service
KBF Mössingen: Kindergarten for
children with speech defects
Sept 1994 – July 2003
Secondary School
Eugen-Bolz-Gymnasium Rottenburg
Specialised courses: Math, Physics
Qualification: University entrance qualification
Sept 1990 – July 1994
Primary School
Grundschule Hirrlingen