Jesse Clark

Engineering Leader and Technical Lead

Engineering leader building high-trust, high-autonomy teams across distributed, multicultural environments.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Rootstock Labs (Core contributors to the Rootstock Blockchain), Remote

Engineering Manager, January 2025 - Current

  • Lead two cross-functional squads (~10 engineers) delivering DAO and DeFi infrastructure; scaled processes for ownership, delegation, and performance.
  • Developed senior developer into Deputy Tech Lead (2024–2025), now leading DAO squad frontend and task delegation.
  • Manage Tokenomics squad following unexpected Tech Lead departure, mentoring senior engineer into leadership role while maintaining delivery momentum.
  • Lead performance management for ICs including 1:1s, career development, and coaching underperformers to successful contribution.
  • Navigate complex stakeholder relationships across Product, Design, Security, and executive leadership.
  • Partner with Product and Design to define features and manage backlog in absence of clear ownership, ensuring delivery continuity and scope alignment.

Senior Technical Lead, DAO Squad, March 2022 - January 2024

  • Led DAO squad (5 developers) responsible for technical direction, cross-squad and stakeholder communication, and people management
  • Managed team performance, conducted 1:1s, provided career development and feedback
  • Responsible for the architecture and delivering the RootstockCollective DAO (Next.js, TypeScript, Solidity), securing over $1M TVL.
  • Served as Product Owner proxy for RIF Wallet (React Native), defining features, managing backlog, and setting priorities in absence of effective product leadership.

Senior Software Engineer, November 2021 - March 2022

  • Created rLogin, a react developer tool that simplifies wallet connections for Rootstock blockchain integration.
  • Developed and published TypeScript libraries for React Native crypto wallet via NPM and GitHub Packages.
  • Integrated hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor) into DApps and built React/Solidity applications enhancing DeFi adoption.

Software Engineer, December 2019 - November 2021

  • Developed Self-Sovereign Identity mobile application and redesigned RIF Name Service Manager, improving blockchain domain management UX.

PracticeSightReading

Side Project, 2008 - Present

  • Built and maintain SaaS platform for musicians to generate randomized sheet music and MP3 audio for sight reading practice.
  • Migrated legacy PHP codebase to modern stack (Next.js, Node.js, Supabase), handling full product lifecycle from development to marketing.

University of Northern Colorado, USA

Manager of Web Communications, June 2017 - January 2019

  • Led team of 3 supporting 400+ web authors after progressing from Webmaster
  • Developed C# web applications with SQL databases using test-driven development

Webmaster, October 2009 - June 2017

  • Managed enterprise CMS templates and university-wide web development workflows

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

  • Web3/Blockchain: EVM, Rootstock, Smart Contracts (Solidity), DeFi protocols
  • Engineering Stack: TypeScript/JavaScript, React/Next.js, Node.js, React Native
  • Development Tools: Hardhat, Foundry, Web3.js, ethers.js, GitHub Actions, Docker

EDUCATION

University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Master of Science in Digital Currencies | 2018
Specialized in blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized systems.

University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
Bachelor of Music in Performance