Dónal Mac Carthy

Dónal Mac Carthy has a diverse background in the technology industry. Dónal currently serves as the Lead Backend Engineer at Lightforge Games since January 2022. Prior to that, they worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Epic Games from January 2018 to February 2021. During their time at Epic Games, they contributed to the development of replays in Fortnite and delivered a keynote demo at UnrealFest 2018.

Before joining Epic Games, Dónal worked at Cloudgine as a Software Engineer from September 2014 to April 2018. Dónal played a crucial role in the development and optimization of the distributed destruction and physics simulations showcased at Gamescom 2015. Dónal also helped develop a procedural destruction pipeline for city-scale destruction.

Additionally, Dónal has experience as a Lead Software Engineer at Trinity Robotics Group from October 2011 to August 2014. In this role, they were responsible for the architecture of the software and hardware of the robot. Dónal collaborated with other team leaders to ensure their vision aligned with project constraints.

Dónal's work experience also includes a role as a Retail Assistant at Right-Click from October 2010 to August 2014. Dónal has demonstrated their teaching abilities as an Instructor at CTYI, where they taught courses on structural engineering and computer gaming to gifted students aged 8 to 17.

Furthermore, Dónal has contributed to research as a Research Assistant at Trinity College Dublin in August and September 2013. Dónal gained practical experience as a Software Engineering Intern at Havok in June to September 2012.

Early in their career, Dónal worked as a Web Designer/Developer (Intern) at Distilled Media from June to September 2011. Dónal also served as the Technical Officer for Trinity Hall JCR from September 2010 to June 2011, where they were responsible for troubleshooting networking and computer issues, operating lighting and audio equipment for events, and acting as a liaison between the college's Information Systems Services and residents.

Dónal Mac Carthy completed their education with a Master of Science (MSc) in Interactive Entertainment Technology from Trinity College Dublin in 2014. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (BAI) in Computer & Electronic Engineering from the same institution in 2013. Dónal'seducation journey began at De La Salle College, Waterford, where they completed their Leaving Certificate in 2009. No field of study was specified for the Leaving Certificate.