Finlay Cooper
Software Engineer
Software Engineering graduate from Western University with a focus on full-stack development, systems programming, and shipping software that sees real use. From a deployed capstone managing 100+ TAs to freelance client work to a completed roguelike.
Tech Stack
About Me
I'm a software engineering graduate from Western University (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 Algorithms, Operating Systems, Databases, and Web Technologies. From a capstone platform deployed department-wide to freelance client work to a full roguelike built from scratch, I take projects through the full lifecycle (concept, development, and deployment) with a focus on shipping software people actually use.
My Life
With my capstone team on Design Day
Key Highlights
- Software Engineering graduate from 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
Extracurricular Activities
- Western Engineering Auto Pilot (WEAP) — C++/ROS2 contributions to the autonomous vehicle path planning pipeline
Work Experience
My professional journey and contributions
Software Engineering Capstone — GTA Management System
Western University
•London, ON
2025 - 2026
- Built and deployed a full-stack platform (Next.js / TypeScript front end, Node.js / Express REST back end, MySQL) replacing spreadsheet-based GTA hiring at Western Engineering — in active department-wide use across 100+ TAs, professors, and committee members
- Built the React / TypeScript front end with a reusable, fully-typed layout system (a generic dropdown shared across 6+ views) and a drag-and-drop interface for manual TA reassignment
- Developed 78+ RESTful API endpoints with role-based access control (student/professor/committee), Zod validation, and ownership enforcement — covered by an automated test suite
- Designed a configurable matching algorithm combining skill match, preferences, course history, and review data with adjustable weights, executing assignments across 4 priority waves
- Implemented a dry-run assignment system enabling preview, weight tuning, and manual overrides before any assignments are committed
Software Developer Intern
BroadGrain Commodities
•Toronto, ON
Summer 2025
- Rebuilt the company's multi-tenant compliance platform as sole developer, consolidating a legacy .NET web app and MAUI mobile app into a unified cross-platform React Native / TypeScript interface across 3 plant locations
- Engineered a schema-driven backend factory (Node.js) that auto-generates CRUD controllers, RESTful routes, and validation from a single config — reducing 100+ files to 3
- Integrated Microsoft Graph API + Azure AD (OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect) to automate SharePoint document delivery with token caching, refresh, retries, and exponential backoff
- Migrated all production data to a redesigned normalized relational schema after resolving structural mismatches from the original denormalized database
- Built 10 PDF reporting services (JSReport, Handlebars, digital signatures, multi-photo support) to replace paper-based compliance workflows across 8 categories
- Reduced processing time by 15% through refactoring and 75% through digitization across all reporting workflows
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
Soi Ram - Freelance Restaurant Website
2025 - 2026
- Production-grade Next.js / TypeScript / Tailwind site with dynamic theming, fluid clamp() typography, and data-driven menu rendering — managed full client lifecycle and deployment
- Integrated Toast POS ordering alongside UberEats and DoorDash — enabling commission-free direct orders with a unified receipt-style UI
- Retro 80s brand identity with custom typography, mobile-first layout, and SEO optimization
Fracture Protocol - Roguelike Arena Shooter
2025 - 2026
- Top-down roguelike arena shooter in Unity/C# — 3 boss encounters, 12 elite enemy types, and a 32-modifier progression system with rarity tiers and diminishing returns
- Coroutine-driven boss AI with concurrent behaviors (fire patterns, drone phases, respawn timers), phase transitions at 66%/33% HP, and 0.8s visual telegraphing
- Modifier dispatch system using string IDs queried at runtime — dynamic effect composition across 5 rarity tiers without hardcoded branches
- Serialized run state across 4 boss scenes (11 fields) for full power allocation persistence; managed Git version control in a 2-person Unity project
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 - Networked Trivia Game
2025
- Multiplayer trivia game built in C++ with a Qt desktop GUI
- Client–server architecture over sockets for real-time multiplayer quiz sessions and synchronized game state
- Object-oriented design covering question rounds, player connections, and scoring
Get in Touch
Open to new grad roles and freelance work. Feel free to reach out.