Aidan Gallagher
About
I'm a software engineer who enjoys learning new things and tackling exciting problems. I have over 10 years of experience working on complex, mission-critical systems. Most recently I've been building Linux-based network operating systems and the supporting tooling — work that spans software, networking, and cloud computing. That experience of seeing what good software looks like, and where things tend to go wrong, has shaped my thinking on software design and development processes. At the same time, I think the best engineers stay open to new ideas, so I'm always happy to have my thinking challenged.
Experience
Cloudflare
- Develop and support Cloudflare's custom SONiC images (Linux-based network operating system).
- Designed the SONiC build infrastructure — patch management, CI pipeline, automated backporting, and an AI build-failure analyzer.
- Introduced Containerlab-based virtual testbeds to validate images and reproduce issues on demand.
- Created net-lab-tooling, a suite of composable CLIs and AI-agent skills that automate lab operations (installation, debugging, validation).
AT&T Labs / Ciena
Vyatta Division
Ciena acquired AT&T's Vyatta division during my tenure.
- Developed Vyatta (Linux-based network operating system) using Python, Go & C.
- Conducted technical hiring interviews.
- Delivered technical training sessions to customer support and to graduate engineers.
- Created debpic, a containerised build tool for developers & CI systems. Compared to the previous tool it is 4x faster, requires 3x less lines of code in every Jenkinsfile, 2x more reliable, and more intuitive.
- Enhanced modularity by refactoring the quality of service (QoS) module within the data plane.
Leonardo
- Developed mission-critical software for a next-generation radar system. From the project's inception, I played a key role in defining the architecture, deciding on the technologies, and forming processes.
- Held reviews and made high-level decisions covering all stages of the development life cycle (requirements, design, implementation & test).
- Helped the company's first agile transformation project as a certified SAFe Advanced Scrum Master.
- Responsible for breaking down, estimating and prioritising tasks as part of the project's agile workflow.
- Utilised my strong understanding of C++ to develop new components, port legacy code and review pull requests.
- Architected the template for the component white box design which is now used across multiple teams.
- Wrote and maintained the build system (CMake) and CI pipeline (Jenkins & Python).
- Identified repetitive tasks and implemented Python scripts to automate them to improve team performance.
- Mentored engineers in multiple technical areas (C++, CMake, Jenkins, software design).
- Discussed strategic technical decisions as a member of the company architecture forum.
Army Reserves
4th Battalion Parachute Regiment
- Developed a wide range of transferable soft skills including leadership, management, teamwork, and communication.
- Achieved level 5 certificate in management and leadership from the Chartered Management Institute.
Skills
Programming
Build Systems
Linux
Networking
CI Systems
AI Tooling
Education
Heriot-Watt University
Sep 2012 - Jul 2017MEng Computing and Electronics
Distinction