Daniel Gawthorpe

Software Engineer

Location: Reading, Berkshire
Email: gorp900@googlemail.com
GitHub: https://github.com/Gorp900
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gawthorpe-834a44a2/

About Me

Software engineer with 10 years of professional development experience, specialising in C++ and Java with strong exposure to scripting, networking, and security-focused systems.

Spent a decade working on enterprise-grade middleware at Micro Focus, followed by a period of independent development focused on game development, open-source contribution, and web technologies.

🔹Comfortable working independently or as part of a collaborative team
🔸Strong analytical and debugging skills across large and complex codebases
🔹Experience spanning enterprise systems, open-source development, and creative projects

Skills

Languages:
C++, Java, Bash, gdb, Python, Perl, Lua

Tools & Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Suse, VXWorks, OpenSSL, Git, CI/CD pipelines

Systems:
Network programming, distributed systems, security-conscious development

Game Development:
Godot Engine (GDScript), gameplay systems, game jams

Other:
Web development, automation, debugging complex legacy systems

Experience

Micro Focus, Newbury — Software Engineer (Visibroker)

September 2014 – January 2024

🔸Developed and maintained large-scale production codebases primarily in C++ and Java
🔹Implemented and supported network-related functionality, including communication layers and protocol-level logic
🔸Worked on security-sensitive components, ensuring robustness and reliability in enterprise deployments
🔹Created and maintained tooling and automation using Bash, Perl, and Python
🔸Debugged, refactored, and modernised legacy code while preserving stability and backward compatibility
🔹Collaborated with cross-functional teams to diagnose and resolve complex customer and production issues

Independent Development

2024 – Present

🔸Developed multiple small video games, focusing on gameplay mechanics, polish, and rapid iteration
🔹Created a Discord bot, implementing automation and interactive features
🔸Designed and built a personal website, handling both frontend and backend concerns
🔹Contributed to open source projects, reporting and fixing bugs and documenting findings
🔸Member of a development team maintaining a private MMORPG server emulator

Education

Southampton Solent University

2011 – 2014

BSc (Hons) – Computer Game Development
Second Class Upper Division (2:1)

🔹Used Unreal and Unity for projects
🔸Final project: tool to edit data in Pokémon Red/Blue

Awards

Game Jam Achievements

🔹Participated in multiple Godot Wild Jams

🔸1st Place – Theme Category (167 entries)

▸ Theme: Metamorphosis
▸ Created a turn-based tactics game

🔹1st Place – Originality, 6th Place – Fun (164 entries)

▸ Theme: Expedition
▸ Created a short RPG using microphone input