Donte Burney
Software Engineer · Full-Stack JS/TS
A live, competitive music battle game for iPhone — teams race to identify real songs from authentic iTunes previews. Pick your genres, set round limits, and find out who actually knows their music. Free. No sign-up. Pure competition.
Engineer · Educator · Veteran
I'm a Software Engineer with 8+ years of experience building high-impact digital products for companies people actually care about — from LinkedIn to TMZ (Fox Corporation). My expertise is rooted in JavaScript and TypeScript, with a focus on performant React frontends and scalable Node.js backends.
I'm also a technical educator who has taught hundreds of engineers at UCLA, UT Austin, Amazon Apprentices, and non-profits across the Bay Area — writing curriculum, mentoring career-changers, and expanding access to the industry.
My background is uniquely multidimensional: I hold a B.A. in Multimedia Communications & Media Technology from the Academy of Art University, and my career spans commercial production, video editing, sound engineering, executive producing, and marketing — giving me a rare creative-technical edge most engineers don't have.
Skills & Expertise
Work Experience
Full-stack engineering at one of the world's most recognizable entertainment news brands, operating under Fox Corporation. Shipped and maintained production systems that serve a massive global audience, working across frontend interfaces and backend services with a focus on performance and reliability.
Led all technology for a youth-focused non-profit dedicated to improving lives through fitness and technology. Designed and built the organization's apps, implemented web infrastructure, and developed the full technical curriculum. As Technical Instructor, taught JavaScript fundamentals on the Open Processing platform, guiding students from zero to coding confidence.
Hybrid engineering and analytics role at a sports and media technology company. Built UI components and conducted data analysis to inform product decisions, bridging the gap between technical development and business intelligence.
Led full-stack web development curriculum for 2U's highly regarded bootcamp programs at the University of Texas at Austin and UCLA. Taught the complete modern web stack, mentored career-changers, and drove student outcomes from zero experience to job-ready engineers.
Built JavaScript-powered front-end UIs on the LinkedIn Learning team. Debugged, tested, and shipped features across cross-functional teams in a large-scale production codebase.
Taught underrepresented youth web design, algorithmic thinking, and JavaScript fundamentals. Organized Silicon Valley company tours to expose students to tech careers and cultures, fostering real pathways into the industry.
Served 8 years, managing pay accuracy for 20,000+ soldiers across domestic and overseas deployments — coordinating with the Federal Reserve Bank to reach troops in areas where cash access was restricted, and transporting funds to local overseas banks. Recipient of the Fort Bliss Army Leadership Award.
Also served as a Combatives Instructor during deployment — training enlisted soldiers, Rangers, Officers, and Special Forces in close-quarters and hand-to-hand combat, drawing on 15+ years of Greco-Roman wrestling, karate, kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai.
Featured Projects
Full restaurant website for Honolulu's Nashville-style hot chicken brand — menu showcase, dual-location info, and online ordering integration for pickup and delivery.
Professional portfolio for LA-based wardrobe stylist Chris Aysta — showcasing work with Apple, Honda, Lucid Motors, and major film and TV productions in a high-impact visual gallery.
Youth breakdancing organization website based in Honolulu, HI — built with p5.js particle animations, an iTunes-powered music player, Instagram reels embed, and a dynamic class schedule for Coach Tom Solo's program.
Lead actor in the feature film Inhumane — now streaming free on Tubi. A creative pursuit beyond the keyboard that proves the range doesn't stop at the terminal.
Education & Certifications
Let's Build Something Great
Open to senior engineering roles, technical leadership opportunities, and advisory positions. I bring a rare blend of product engineering, creative production, and team-building experience.