SAM B.

Design + Development Mentor

Finding balance between art and science.

Talent

Research

UI-UX Design

Development

Leadership

Hello! I'm Samantha, User Experience Designer & Front-End Developer.

In 2006, I dove into coding and web development by creating custom MySpace themes, sparking a passion that has shaped my career ever since. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to build software for two data-tech startups, collaborate with two digital product studios, and engage in long-term freelance work for small businesses.

Currently, I'm focused on developing accessible user interfaces at Acryl. My favorite projects are those that blend design and engineering seamlessly—where aesthetics meet solid, well-crafted code. In my free time, I like to experiment with small, self-contained apps.

When I'm not coding, you'll find me exploring National Parks with my kids, spending time with my four dogs, or indulging in painting.

Work

History

October 2024 ― Present

Staff Software Engineer, Product · QA Wolf
  • Leading UI-UX development with a focus on creating cohesive and scalable design systems and component libraries.

January 2024 ― October 2024

Software Engineer, Product + OSS · Acryl Data
  • Prioritized high-quality code, continuous integration, and frequent revisions to ensure exceptional user experience.
  • Contributed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture, supporting innovation and continuous improvement.

May 2019 ― December 2023

Principal Software Engineer, DevEx + OSS · Astronomer, Inc.
— Software Engineering Manager, Product
— Senior Software Engineer, Product
  • Early team member driving foundational initiatives Pre-Series A through Series C.
  • Spearheaded key technological advancements, including rebuilding the Cloud UI and enhancing the GraphQL API.
  • Contributed to shaping the company's core values, fostering innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity.
  • Promoted to Engineering Manager for contributions to technical architecture and leadership.
  • Managed a team of 8, with 6 direct reports, demonstrating effective management and mentorship. Mentored 2 interns.
  • Transitioned to Principal Software Engineer post-restructure, leading Open Source initiatives and Developer Experience projects.

May 2016 ― May 2019

Senior Front-End Engineer · Planetary, Co.
  • Specialized in building digital products using Node stacks, excelling in technical expertise and leadership.
  • Prioritized top-notch code quality, continuous integration, and frequent revisions.
  • Delivered products that exceeded expectations and provided an exceptional user experience.

January 2009 ― May 2016

Lead Front-End Engineer · RNDPXL
— Junior Web Developer
  • Began career as a Junior Web Developer, transforming designs into websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Developed and deployed PHP and WordPress platforms, including themes and plugins.
  • Developed and deployed Shopify platforms, including themes and plugins.
  • Developed strong communication skills, client relations, and leadership abilities.

Active

Clients

est. 2018

Candlespice Co.retail

est. 2024

Orion Electric + Contracting

Past

Contracts

Loosely designed in Figma and coded in Visual Studio Code by yours truly. Built with React.js and Chakra UI, deployed with Netlify. Poppins & Source Code Pro typeface.

Built with in Georgetown, Ohio USA · Samantha Black 2025