Finlay Cooper
Software Engineering Student
Building practical software solutions with a focus on user experience and reliability. Passionate about full-stack development, cloud technologies, and creating tools that make a difference.
Tech Stack
About Me
I'm a software engineering student at Western University on the Dean's Honour List. Most recently, I worked as a Software Developer Intern at BroadGrain Commodities, where I led an end-to-end rebuild of their plant operations system.
That internship reinforced what I care most about in software development: understanding user needs and iterating based on real feedback. Working directly with plant operators taught me that the best tools fit naturally into existing workflows rather than forcing people to adapt to technology.
I've built my technical foundation through coursework in Data Structures & Algorithms, Operating Systems, Databases, and Web Technologies. From cross-platform tools like CloudCopier to full-stack web applications and Unity games, I take projects through the full lifecycle; concept, development, and deployment; with a focus on shipping software people actually want to use.
My Life
Doing what I love most
Key Highlights
- Software Engineering student at Western University (Dean's Honour List)
- Experience in full-stack development, cross-platform apps, and cloud deployment
- Proficient in TypeScript, React, Node.js, C#, Swift, and multiple databases
- Passionate about hockey, football, chess, weightlifting, and game development
Education
Academic qualifications and achievements
Western University
Bachelor of Engineering, Software Engineering
Dean's Honour List
Sept 2022 - June 2026
London, ON
Relevant Courses
Work Experience
My professional journey and contributions
Software Developer Intern
BroadGrain Commodities
•Toronto, ON
Summer 2025
- Sole developer for end-to-end rebuild—assessed the legacy prototype and paper workflows, met with operators/managers, prioritized a backlog, and shipped iterative releases from feedback
- Built for plant operations: inspection forms, certificates, and reporting with tablet-first data entry, PDF output, and SharePoint delivery
- TypeScript React/React Native (Expo) frontends for tablets and web; streamlined flows and improved UX
- Node.js/Express, MySQL, LLMs (MCP): backend (auth, PDF generation, SharePoint), schema design, and automated legacy migration
- Deployed on BroadGrain's data centre (pm2/IIS deployment on remote desktop); wrote maintenance scripts/runbooks and trained the new owner for handoff
- Impact: 15% faster (refactored); 75% faster (digitized)
Floater Counsellor
YMCA of the GTA
•Toronto, ON
Summer 2024
- Collaborated with diverse teams to deliver engaging activities and ensure smooth operations
- Adapted quickly to new teams and resolved challenges effectively in dynamic environments
- Mentored groups of 8-12 children, fostering teamwork and creating a supportive environment
- Spoke French to ESL campers
Detailing and Maintenance Specialist
Three Lakes Concierge (Formerly Dockside Detailing)
•Muskoka, ON
Summer 2023
- Detailed boats, cars, and property interiors; pressure washed decks, furniture, and exteriors; polished windows and screens ensuring top-quality finishes and customer satisfaction
- Assisted with marketing efforts by creating and distributing promitional material to expand client reach
- Trained new employees on detailing techniques and operational procedues
Featured Projects
Some of my recent work
CloudCopier - Cross-Device Clipboard Sync
2024 - 2025
- Cross-platform clipboard sync (Windows–iOS): C# Windows client, Node.js server (API keys, Docker), and Swift/SwiftUI iOS app
- Supports all common file formats (text, images, docs, media, etc.), offline queuing, and secure self-hosting
- Format normalization, deduplication, and rate-limited polling with retries for reliable cross-platform sync
- Set up CI/CD for auto-builds and redeploys to a cloud platform on push
Quizzly - Online Multiplayer Trivia Game
Jan-April 2025
- Real-time multiplayer trivia game using WebSockets for low-latency synchronous gameplay
- C++ backend with concurrent thread management for handling multiple game sessions and player connections simultaneously
- Implemented custom networking protocol for reliable message passing and game state synchronization across clients
- Collaborative project with 5 contributors managing concurrent development workflows and version control
Travel Planner - Full-Stack Web App
Fall 2024
- JWT-secured React + Node.js (Firestore) for collaborative planning and scalable storage
- Deployed on AWS EC2; tuned for responsiveness and reliability
- Implemented modular components and server-side validation, with robust error handling and pagination for core views
Against the Machines - 3D Unity Game
Fall 2023
- Built a three-level Unity/C# action game; implemented player controls, enemy AI, and physics-driven interactions
- Delivered in three Agile sprints with weekly stand-ups, demos, and retrospectives
Get in Touch
Let's talk!