Open to Senior · Tech Lead · Eng Manager roles

Lucas Dahl

Principal Engineer · Saint Charles, IL

Building enterprise backend systems and leading engineering teams for 5+ years. Architected third-party API integrations adopted into a vendor's base product, drove a 50% reduction in core computation time, and grew a dev organization from near-zero to ~35 engineers. MS in Computer Science (3.83 GPA) earned while working full-time as a lead developer — and I keep the work hands-on.

lucas.m.dahl@gmail.com (715) 651-0954 Saint Charles, IL 60174
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Lucas Dahl
Principal Engineer
5+Years experience
~35Engineers grown
50%Faster core compute
3.83MS CompSci GPA
Selected Work

Projects

From a fully self-hosted home lab to apps and embedded escape-room electronics — a sample of what I build outside of work.

Featured Project

Home Network & Server Stack

Six Linux servers running 30+ self-hosted services (Home Assistant, NextCloud, Authentik SSO, Frigate NVR, GitLab, TrueNAS) — segmented across trusted / IoT / isolated VLANs behind an OPNsense firewall, with an automated 3-2-1 backup pipeline to on-site ZFS NAS and off-site Backblaze B2.

OPNsense VLAN segmentation Docker fleet WireGuard VPN ZFS · 3-2-1 backup
View Architecture
6Servers
30+Services
3+VPNVLANs
3-2-1Backups
In ProgressDahlFighter Game

DahlFighter Game

Unity · C#

A Unity remake of a fighting game I originally built for my wedding on a homemade Python arcade cabinet. I rebuilt in a modern engine to sharpen my game design. Playable in-browser via Unity WebGL.

Play
Meal Planner

Meal Planner

Python

A weekly recipe and meal-planning tool that assembles menus and generates consolidated shopping lists.

Code
Dish Discover

Dish Discover

Java · Android

An Android app for discovering and sharing recipes, built as a native mobile experience.

Code
Earlier Web · pre-2019

Simple frontend & full-stack hobby projects.

Virtual Stocks Calculator Etch-a-Sketch
Hardware · 2017–2019

Interactive escape-room props built with Arduino microcontrollers & custom electronics.

Briefcase Prop Double Diffuse Connect 4 Puzzle Comms Site
Infrastructure

Self-hosted home lab — network design, server fleet & automated backups.

Home Lab Architecture
Career

Experience

A decade spanning hands-on engineering, team leadership, embedded electronics, and field service.

Principal Engineer

Jan 2025 – Present
Producers National Corp.
  • Lead and grow a team of ~17 engineers and co-manage an equal QA organization; hired and onboarded 7 developers in a single year and promoted 3 senior developers into team-lead roles.
  • Designed 3rd-party API integration architecture for a 4TB+ enterprise platform; the framework was adopted into the vendor's base product and distributed to all clients, directly reducing external vendor dependency.
  • Drove a 50% reduction in core computation time through platform-vendor collaboration; deliver 800+ tickets and 350+ code reviews annually across C#, VB.NET, Python, and SQL.
  • Automated environment provisioning, build deployment, and SSL certificate management with PowerShell across 15+ dev and QA systems; led the on-premises to AWS infrastructure migration.
  • Established a SCRUM framework, developer training programs, and build-testing processes; grew developers from entry-level to production-capable in under one month.

Sr. Software Developer & Configurator

Jan 2022 – Jan 2025
Producers National Corp.
  • Built and maintained 15+ parallel development and QA environments from scratch; established a dev-server workflow to separate code changes from production.
  • Implemented third-party integrations (TransUnion, Lexis Nexis/RISK, DocuSign, PayTrace); led rate changes, multi-state policy migrations, and PCI compliance work (removed live card data from test systems).
  • Mentored junior developers and created training documentation; advanced through Lead Software Engineer via successive Exceeds Expectations reviews.

Software Analyst

Aug 2020 – Jan 2022
Producers National Corp.
  • Prepared premium rate-change specifications for development and implemented rate changes in VB.
  • Developed Python scripts for automated filtering and analysis of error logs, generating prioritized email alerts by critical severity to immediately notify relevant teams.
  • Designed, implemented, and maintained a comprehensive suite of test systems (dev, QA, staging) on AWS, enabling rapid instance scaling and agile delivery.

Lead Prop Engineer

Jan 2017 – Apr 2019
Tactical Escape 101
  • Used Arduino microcontrollers and C to design, build, and program interactive electronic props.
  • Led and mentored a team responsible for prop design, fabrication, and maintenance.
  • Maintained a responsive on-call schedule for troubleshooting and repairs, ensuring minimal downtime.

Web Developer

Aug 2017 – Apr 2019
Tactical Escape 101
  • Designed and implemented a responsive website interface (Linux, PHP, HTML, jQuery) tailored for display within an escape-room environment.
  • Built a remote management system enabling seamless updates and troubleshooting outside standard hours.

Chemical Detection System Repairer

Jun 2014 – Jun 2022
National Guard
  • Repaired and maintained night-vision goggles, chemical detectors, and military radios.
  • Kept detailed records of all repairs and equipment totaling over $350,000.

Appliance Technician

Apr 2019 – Aug 2020
Sears
  • Repaired and maintained home appliances — washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves.
  • Performed customer house calls using a company vehicle.
  • Used technical documents and wiring diagrams to diagnose issues.
Foundations

Education & Training

Graduate computer science, a dual math/physics undergraduate degree, and military technical schools.

University of Illinois Springfield

2021 – 2024
Master of Science — Computer Science
GPA 3.83
Completed while working full-time as a lead developer.
Net Security & Info Assurance Software Engineering Capstone 3D Game Development

University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

2013 – 2018
Bachelor of Science — Math & Physics
GPA 3.29 · Cum Laude · Minor in Japanese
Mathematics
Calculus IIIDifferential EquationsDigital Signal Processing Abstract AlgebraReal AnalysisDiscrete MathIntro to C++
Physics
ElectronicsQuantum PhysicsTheoretical Mechanics Electromagnetic FieldsIntro to Programming C++

National Guard AIT — Fort Gordon

Feb – Jun 2015
94F — Computer / Chemical Detection Equipment Repairer
GPA 3.99 · Distinguished Honor Graduate
10 wks Basic Combat Training 25 wks Advanced Individual Training Electronic principles Electronic test equipment

Fort McCoy NCO Academy

Aug 2018
Basic Leader Course
GPA 3.50
Public SpeakingTeam LeadingConflict Resolution & Resiliency
Toolbox

Skills

The languages, platforms, and practices I reach for across backend engineering and team leadership.

Languages

C# SQL / T-SQL VB.NET Python PowerShell JavaScript Java

Data & Infrastructure

MSSQL Server AWS Linux Docker Git

Platforms & Frameworks

.NET Framework REST APIs Flask Arduino / C

Practices

Scrum / Agile System Architecture API Design Technical Mentoring Code Review
Expert Proficient Familiar