Desmond Brand

Desmond Brand has a diverse range of work experience spanning different roles and companies. Desmond started their career in 2005 as a Software Engineer Praktikant at KUKA Robotics, where they worked on augmented reality-based training software for industrial robot operators. Desmond then worked as a Project Engineer intern at Controlsoft, developing the Citect SCADA system for Toyota's bumper spraying facility. In 2007, they interned at Microsoft as a Software Development Engineer in Test, focusing on test automation tooling for HD-DVD. Desmond then joined Microsoft as a Software Development Engineer in 2009, where they contributed to projects such as machine learned models for instant answers and spelling corrector scalability. In 2011, they joined Khan Academy as a Software Engineer, working on full-stack web engineering using Python, JavaScript, React, and Google App Engine. Desmond then moved on to Flexport in 2015, initially working as a Software Engineer and later becoming the Director of Engineering, leading frontend infrastructure and design systems. In 2020, they joined On Deck as a Fellow ODF4. Most recently, Desmond worked at Synthesis as the CTO, where they conducted extracurricular classes to develop critical thinking and collaboration skills in children.

Desmond Brand attended Swinburne University of Technology and obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics & Mechatronics in 2008. Desmond also pursued a Bachelor of Computer Science at the same university, completing it in the same year. Prior to this, their educational background includes attending Parkdale Secondary College, although specific details such as dates or degree programs are not provided.