Stu Kabakoff

Work History

Founding Engineer @ Eraser Labs, Inc.

February 2022 - September 2024

Eraser is a tool for whiteboarding and documentation, the essence of it is a document editor next to a canvas, with integrations going both ways. It has diagram as code features similar to Mermaid. I played a part in nearly every part of the app.

Algorithms

• Created O(n) algorithmic guarantees for z-indexing, ensuring text and bound arrows are over their nodes, and that groups and figures are layered correctly.
• Implemented an O(n) algorithm to combine overlapping text markups (bold, color, etc.) to enable syntax highlighting.
• Devised an algorithm to divide the whitespace on the canvas into a graph, allowing arrow routing using Dijkstra's algorithm.
• Implemented canvas-based keyboard navigation with weights for distance and direction in O(n) time.
• Implemented an O(n) algorithm to consistently update pending changesets during collaborative edits to a document.
• Algorithmically straightened lines and reduced crossings in output from GraphViz.

Features and Code

• Developed advanced “diagram as code” features with sophisticated visual layouts for cloud architectures, databases, flowcharts, and sequence diagrams.
• Resolved complex issues related to memory usage, text rendering, and canvas performance, resulting in smoother, sharper user experiences.
• Created AI prompts, frameworks, and workflows for generating diagrams from text, streamlining development and user workflows.
• Developed a VSCode extension to render diagrams from code, putting our product where developers already are.
• Implemented a language server and architecture enabling GUI-based modifications to diagram as code, making edits much easier and more natural.

Ops and Tools

• Optimized high-level architecture to reduce costs and latency, bringing 50th percentile latency down 80%.
• Introduced end-to-end testing and visual snapshot testing.

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Principal Engineer in Provider Services @ Zocdoc, Inc

August 2021 - February 2022

I loved the culture and technology at Zocdoc, but left because of Eraser's innovative product vision.

• Mentored a dozen engineers through direct interaction, presentations, writing and reviewing tech docs.
• Led the migration from a microrepo to a monorepo architecture, improving code maintainability and deployment efficiency.
• Wrote git scripts to preserve GitHub PR links in commit messages to the monorepo.
• Created a streamlined onboarding process for doctors joining Zocdoc.

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Tech Lead / IC5 in 911 Dispatch Software @ Mark43, Inc

November 2018 - July 2021

Mark43 develops software for police departments worldwide, including real-time 911 dispatch applications used in dispatch centers and police vehicles.

Algorithms

• Improved speed and GC pauses by reimplementing many loops, going from O(n log n) to O(n).

Code and Team

• Mentored a team of 12 front-end developers, with a focus on professional growth and enhancing code quality.
• Championed, designed, and implemented a new data layer for real-time updates using WebSockets, Web Workers, IndexedDB, and Broadcast Channel, reducing network load by over 70% while maintaining backward compatibility.
• Developed new APIs for data access, ensuring data consistency and reliability in real-time operations.
• Authored comprehensive documentation, enabling other engineers to independently learn and modify the system.

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Front End Lead @ CompStak, Inc

September 2014 - October 2018

Algorithms

• Created and implemented an O(n) algorithm for determining the density of points visible on a map.
• Created an O(n) algorithm for bucketing data points on a graph.
• Created a data layer that would find and load chunks of uncached data for virtualized lists.

Code and Team

• Led the development of the flagship React/Redux application, overseeing architecture and feature implementation.
• Engineered systems capable of handling tens of thousands of data points on maps, tables, and graphs with smooth animations.
• Created embeddable widgets for third-party websites using shared components from flagship apps.
• Built front-end build processes, testing frameworks, and continuous integration systems.
• Reviewed all front-end code and frequently served as functional team lead for development projects.

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UI Engineer @ MLB Advanced Media

April 2012 - February 2014

• Rewrote the front page of MLB.com for 2013 using Knockout.js and other modern-at-the time tools.
• Developed a promise-based system for loading and utilizing game data, allowing multiple widgets to watch the same games consistently.
• Migrated the front end from a proprietary module system to CommonJS, standardizing and simplifying the codebase.
• Introduced package management to the front end.
• Started a large migration to git from CVS.
• Implemented push button deployments using Jenkins, reducing down time and errors.
• Introduced unit testing and other quality assurance methods.

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Applications Developer for the NOOK - Barnes & Noble

April 2010 - April 2012

• Developed the front-end interfaces for NOOK Study, NOOK for Windows, and NOOK for Mac using an pre-Electron WebKit shell and custom plugins to display DRM-protected book content.

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Digital Archivist @ Condé Nast Publications

October 2007 - March 2010

• I created websites to allow easy distribution of Condé Nast assets to domestic and international publications, improved the experience of The Condé Nast Store with a JavaScript interface, created workflows and tools for quality assurance on XML files containing Condé Nast's entire past catalog.

Education

2005 Syracuse University - Bachelors of Industrial Design