My name is Jason Giroux, and I’m thrilled to share a little bit about myself as a software engineer and as a person! It’s been an exciting journey to reach where I am today, and it all started during my time as a high schooler at a computer summer camp.

Background

In high school I had the opportunity to teach graphic design, photoshop, and video game design classes at a computer themed summer camp to classes of about 30 students ranging in age from elementary school to high school. Initially, I thought I might pursue a college degree in either graphic design or video game design and surrounded myself in 3D modeling software and website mock ups for family friends.

However, fate had other plans for me. One of my fellow counselors, who happened to be studying cryptography in college used to leave encoded messages and set up thrilling scavenger hunts for us. This is where I learned what Base64 and Hex was. I was instantly captivated by these challenges and found myself bombarding him with questions about his coursework.

This experience was the turning point that made me realize my true passion for problem-solving. I enrolled at Roger Williams University anxious to study everything computers. After some years and two major changes (Cyber security, computer engineering and finally computer science) I graduated with a BS in computer science, accompanied by two AS degrees in mathematics and cyber security, specializing in cryptography.

After graduating, I embarked on an exciting journey as a computer engineer + research and development scientist working as a DoD contractor. In this role, I had the chance to work on diverse projects, including government contracts, research and development initiatives, and customer-facing products including “BEAM” a double encrypted E2E VPN where I introduced BEAM’s only UI that clients can interact with and “Secure View” a cross domain solution allowing users to access classified and unclassified information on the same network and device. One particular interesting area of focus was conducting research on visual cryptography for detecting deep fakes and image/video manipulation, which resulted in the company being granted two patents.

Following my time as a DoD contractor, I transitioned to a Boston-based fintech startup, where I currently serve as a Software Engineer. This role allows me to work on both customer-facing software and our internal portal, providing me with a holistic understanding of the product development process. It’s an exciting environment that challenges me to think creatively and leverage my skills to drive innovation in the fintech industry.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I have a diverse range of hobbies that keep me engaged and fulfilled

• Photography: I enjoy capturing moments from unique perspectives through drone photography and experimenting with photogrammetry. This is how I begin home renovation projects; I will make a 3D scan of the room/area and use 3D modeling software to build out the area then use VR the walk the space to make sure I am happy before I start building.
• Snowboarding: When the snow falls, you’ll find me carving through fresh powder (or Ice) in New England.
• Home Networking: I’m passionate about creating a seamless and secure network infrastructure, hosting Docker containers for smart home automation, home firewall, custom NAS solution and more!
• Dog Owner: I find joy in being a proud owner of two Australian Shepherds who bring companionship and endless entertainment into my life. Along with keeping my Zoom meetings entertaining as they beg for attention.
• Racing and Mechanics: I love working on and racing motorcycles and cars, immersing myself in the world of speed and intricate mechanics.
• DIY Projects: Whether it’s renovating my home office, pantry, or indulging in woodworking and metalworking, I enjoy transforming raw materials into functional and aesthetically pleasing creations.
• Coding Personal Projects: I actively pursue personal coding projects that utilize new innovations, enabling me to explore emerging technologies and expand my knowledge.