Rose Howell
Software Engineer

About Rose Howell

Rose Howell smiling outdoors with long dark hair, wearing glasses, a black shirt, and a necklace, with a softly blurred green background

Software engineer specializing in Python, backend development, and ML, with 7+ years of remote experience. I'm currently consulting on climate tech and property management projects; previously I helped launch the first ML-powered ad blocker at eyeo (Adblock Plus).

My recent work has focused on Django and PostgreSQL, building pluggable AI model architectures and automated data pipelines. I care about code quality, and I do my best work in async, remote-first environments with a collaborative team and thoughtful code review.

I hold a Master of Science in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of Michigan, where I worked with J. Alex Halderman on security research, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Assurance from Eastern Michigan University.

Resume

Experience

1/2025 - Present Software Engineer
Independent Contractor
Remote
  • Contributing to software projects for climate tech, property management, and other various clients, implementing features and enhancing existing codebases using Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Docker, and other technologies as needed
  • Refactored climate tech VC investment platform's data enrichment system from hardcoded model calls to pluggable architecture, enabling flexible integration of 25+ AI models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google) for analyzing 8,900+ startups
  • Designed and implemented benchmarking dashboard to evaluate and compare performance metrics across AI models, enabling data-driven model selection for investment research
  • Built automated data synchronization pipeline using Django webhooks and Airtable API to export PostgreSQL data, streamlining client reporting workflows
  • Working autonomously in fully-remote, asynchronous environment with minimal oversight, submitting code through pull requests and participating in code reviews
4/2019 - 4/2024 Software Engineer - Machine Learning Team
eyeo GmbH (Adblock Plus)
Remote
  • Founding member of the ML Team; helped define structure and initiatives to launch the first ML-powered ad blocker
  • Developed and maintained browser extension to scrape data from websites, convert to graph nodes and edges, and monitor model performance in real-time (JavaScript, HTML/CSS, TensorFlow.js)
  • Maintained backend server to accept, sort, and store incoming data, then sync with GCP cloud storage (Python, Flask, Docker, Redis, GDPR compliance)
  • Created ML pipelines to collect, convert, and extract features from datasets, balance and enhance training data, and train/deploy new models (PyTorch, Spektral, Google Cloud AI Platform)
  • Built comprehensive Pythonic test suites for new and existing code using Pytest, tox, Poetry, achieving 85%+ code coverage and implementing GitLab CI pipelines
  • Developed and maintained Ways of Working and Code Quality standards, automating code quality checks
  • Led ML Community of Practice, conducted literature survey of ML in ad blocking, and shared latest research findings company-wide
  • Wrote and reviewed code as part of a 9 person, fully-remote, cross-functional team spanning 8 time zones
5/2017 - 4/2019 Software Engineer - Backend Team
eyeo GmbH (Adblock Plus)
Remote
  • Developed tools and processes for generation and publication of filter lists for Adblock Plus and website maintenance
  • Maintained Python version of Adblock Plus, keeping feature parity with JavaScript version across multiple releases
  • Maintained content management system (CMS) using Python and Jinja2 templates
  • Maintained build scripts, site scripts, and other backend infrastructure code
9/2016 - 4/2018 Graduate Student Instructor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
  • Taught undergraduate computer science courses, leading weekly hands-on lab sections and holding office hours to help students with concepts and projects
  • EECS 388 (Introduction to Computer Security): Taught cryptography, web security, network security, application security, and digital forensics
  • EECS 280 (Programming and Intro Data Structures): Taught data structures and algorithms in C++ and Python
  • EECS 183 (Elementary Programming Concepts): Taught C++ and Python fundamentals
5/2016 - 4/2018 Graduate Student Research Assistant
University of Michigan - Security and Privacy Research Group
Ann Arbor, MI
  • Computer security research with J. Alex Halderman
  • Researched email security in foreign countries, testing which mail servers were disallowing encryption (STARTTLS) country-wide
  • Tested security and privacy of RFID systems with various readers
  • Helped automate security tests in medical networks by creating virtual hospitals for use as sandboxes, honeypots, and testbeds
2/2014 - 8/2015 Technical Support Representative
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
Ann Arbor, MI
  • Deployed, configured, and maintained firewalls in a variety of network environments for enterprise clients
  • Provided technical support for firewall and email spam filter products via phone, email, and IM
  • Troubleshot complex network issues including routing, VPN, and security configurations

Education

9/2015 - 5/2018 Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
3.55/4.0

1/2014 - 4/2015 Bachelor of Science in Information Assurance
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
Summa Cum Laude

9/2010 - 12/2013 Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems - Cybersecurity
Oakland Community College
Royal Oak, MI
Summa Cum Laude


Technical Skills

Primary Language Python (7+ years professional experience)
Additional Languages JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Shell/Bash, C/C++
Frameworks & Libraries Django, PyTorch, Flask, TensorFlow.js
DevOps & Tools Docker, Linux, Git, GitLab CI, Google Cloud Platform
Testing & Development Pytest, tox, Poetry, Vim, VSCode
Databases PostgreSQL, Redis

Certifications

  • Certified ScrumMaster®
    Scrum Alliance® certified, March 2020

Volunteer Work and Community Engagement

  • Block Club President
    Co-founder and President, Detroit Block Club Program, May 2023 - Present
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
    Member, Phi Kappa Phi #154, Eastern Michigan University, 2014-2015
  • Information Assurance Student Association
    Secretary, IASA, Eastern Michigan University, 2014-2015
  • Michigan Collegiate Cyber Defense Network
    Competitor, Michigan CCDN, Davenport University, March 2015
  • Cyberspace Security for Everyone
    Panelist, 35th Annual Southeast Michigan Mensa Regional Gathering (SEMMantics35), May 2014
  • Oakland Community College IT Club
    Member, Information Technologies Club, Oakland Community College, Royal Oak, 2010-2013

Contact Rose Howell

Rose Howell smiling outdoors with long dark hair, glasses, a black shirt, and a necklace, with greenery in the background and a city skyline visible in the distance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosehowell

GitHub: https://github.com/rhowell7

Email: howell.rose7@gmail.com

Public Key: https://keybase.io/rhowell

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