Chris Shinnimin
Hello 👋
I'm Chris Shinnimin
Senior Software Developer → Development Team Lead → Engineering Manager
Hello, I'm Chris. I've been involved in professional software delivery ever since I completed my undergraduate degree in 2009, but in truth my passion for development began when my mother bought me my first computer at around age ten. I've held roles as a Senior Software Developer, Development Team Lead, and am currently an Engineering Manager with Vidyard. I also spent 6.5 years in the Salesforce ecosystem and have Salesforce knowledge as a multiplier. I started this portfolio site in September of 2025 to document my ongoing personal projects, professional development, and to post about topics I've been thinking about. I will continue to add more content over time.
In 2025 I built an AI agent application as a fun personal project, with the goal of learning more about LLMs and brushing up on React at the same time. I also took the Large Language Models and Prompt Engineering course at McGill University School of Continuing Studies in the fall. Now in 2026, I've started an exciting new chapter in my career as an Engineering Manager at Vidyard. In my spare time I'm continuing to level up by reading books and with a new vibe coding project to build a "Mission Control" dashboard I can integrate into Jira.
My career has taken me down many roads, starting at the internal IT department of a freight and logistics company, through a period of independent contract work, and eventually into the Salesforce world as a Development Team Lead of a consulting company and later a related product company. I've learned a lot along the way, but the biggest lesson I've learned is how much more there still is to learn. I've got a lot left to give, and I'm always excited to discover what I'll learn next!
Personal Projects
Final Fantasy Bot Project
A fun personal project to learn LLMs and React, and rekindle my love of a favourite childhood game.
Mission Control Project
A vibe coding project to build a "Mission Control" dashboard for an Engineering Manager.
Professional Skills
Project Planning
Careful planning beginning with project kickoff, scoping, effort estimation, setting and tracking of milestones.
Scalable Architecture and Design
Focused on scalability by using established OOP patterns and doing appropriate load testing both manual and automated.
Data Driven Decision Making
Always propose and document multiple approaches with pros and cons, backed with data.
Process Improvement
Ongoing retrospectives leading to real action items the team can implement.
Collaborative Mindset
Always involve all stakeholders at every step, employing a "Shift Left" mentality on quality and security.
Effective Communicator
Very detailed communication approach both orally and written.
Meticulous Documentation
Producer of technical and non-technical documentation at all project phases to capture and retain decision contexts.
Agile Project Management
Experienced leader of teams using both Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
Respected Leader
Well liked and consistent recipient of votes from peers in company recognition programs.
Values Driven
Truly care about my teams and my work. Lead all conversations with empathy and curiosity.
Life Long Learner
Always welcome constructive feedback and action on it to grow.