Peter Drew
Newcastle,Australia
Summary
Results-driven Engineering Manager with expertise in aligning cross-functional teams and managing development processes. Experienced in solution architecture and full-stack development, delivering high-quality solutions on time. Committed to fostering collaboration and mentoring teams, with strong decision-making and communication skills backed by program management experience.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Manager
Orica
Kurri Kurri, Australia
01.2025 - Current
- As Engineering Manager at Orica, I led ongoing development of the backend platform for BlastIQ, delivering scalable data collection solutions for the mining industry.
- Managed cross-functional engineering team, architecting reliable data storage and synchronization systems for offline and low-connectivity environments.
- Expanded platform's API capabilities, upgraded reporting system, and integrated new sensor data streams from mine sites to enhance monitoring of environmental and operational conditions.
Development Lead
Endava Asia Pacific
Newcastle, Australia
07.2024 - 02.2025
- In July 2024, Mudbath Digital became part of Endava Asia Pacific. My role continued, with my title transitioning to Development Lead.
- As a Development Lead at Endava, I play a pivotal role in steering project execution and fostering collaboration among design teams, business analysts, and clients.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to align development efforts with Endava's strategic objectives, ensuring projects meet and exceed client expectations.
- Developed project estimates, facilitated agile scrum meetings, and wrote high-quality code to ensure successful delivery of initiatives.
- With a strong background across various technologies, I guide my team through complex challenges while promoting best practices and innovative solutions.
- In my role, I prioritize team development and engagement, mentoring talented engineers to cultivate their skills and keep them motivated.
- Initiated Work Integrated Learning Initiative, integrating university students into the organization for project work.
Principal Engineer
Mudbath Digital
Newcastle, Australia
09.2020 - 06.2024
- Oversaw projects at Mudbath, collaborating with design and business analysts while engaging with clients to ensure alignment with project goals.
- I create estimates, attend and run scrum meetings and write code.
- I've worked on projects in a range of technologies.
- Planned and enacted company goals with strategy management team, aligning initiatives with overall business objectives.
- Collaborated with CTO on strategic initiatives.
- Oversaw a team of talented engineers, mentoring and motivating them to stay engaged with Mudbath.
- Established Mudbath's Work Integrated Learning Initiative, integrating university students into internal projects to foster talent development.
Application Development Lead
definiti
Hamilton, Australia
11.2019 - 09.2020
- I worked at definiti expecting to move back to working on Microsoft stack projects.
- Supported legacy applications using C#, VB6, ASP.NET, ASP Classic, and other .NET technologies to ensure continued functionality and user satisfaction.
- I developed new features for a NativeScript app.
- Learned about robotic automation and low code solutions during training sessions.
- Attended conference and training for power platform, contributing to two completed power automate projects.
- Developed tenders and quotes for proposed projects, ensuring projects remained within budget constraints.
Tech Lead
Liftango
Newcastle, Australia
05.2019 - 10.2019
- Applied scrum experience to enhance estimation and sizing practices, improving team planning accuracy.
- Expected to focus on high-level concepts but engaged deeply with coding, enhancing technical proficiency.
- Expanded tech skills by learning Java, React Native, and Python, broadening development capabilities.
- Focused on Microsoft stack technologies throughout career.
Senior Software Developer
BMT Tax Depreciation Quantity Surveyors
Broadmeadow, Australia
06.2016 - 05.2019
- Led team in acquiring real estate sales website written in C# for BMT, enhancing online presence.
- The app was significant in size and had to handle updates to around 125,000 properties per night.
- Transitioned front end to Angular, implementing new features to improve user experience.
- We upgraded the backend data import process to improve efficiency.
- Facilitated scrum roles, including standups, retrospectives, and sprint planning sessions, to ensure project alignment.
- Worked closely with my team, mentoring and working with them to resolve issues.
Solution Developer
CIBIS International Pty Limited
09.2008 - 05.2016
- Managed full development cycle of application software, from gathering specifications to deployment.
- Delivered tailored solutions for diverse clients, ranging from large educational institutions to small businesses.
- Collaborated with talented developers and infrastructure specialists to design and implement software solutions at CIBIS International.
IT Manager
Kip McGrath Education Centres
06.2007 - 09.2008
- Developed education software for Kip McGrath franchises and managed IT infrastructure to support operational needs.
- Kip McGrath Education Centres provides education for students aged 4 to 18 in English, Spelling, Reading, Maths, Grammar, Comprehension, Preschool, English as a second language, Essay Writing, Study Skills and Intelligence Development. All 700 centres worldwide use qualified teachers and facilitators to improve students' school performance and increase their study and language skills.
- Led IT infrastructure projects to enhance operational efficiency across educational centers.
- Managed vendor relationships to enhance technology procurement and support services.
- Implemented cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive student and staff information.
Developer
Castle Personnel Solutions
08.2004 - 06.2007
- Transitioned from consulting on small projects to leading a large project, leveraging diverse experiences to drive project success.
- Supported and maintained multiple product versions while collaborating with a development team to transition from Microsoft Access to ASP.NET using C# and a Microsoft SQL Server back end.
- The General Employment Management and Marketing Application (GEMMA) provides a means of managing all aspects of the operation of Disability Employment Agencies from monitoring the progress of clients to fine-tuning the company's marketing of a client to potential employers.
- GEMMA is used in Disability Employment Agencies throughout Australia and three international markets: New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
- Castle Personnel is the largest Disability Employment Agency in Australia.
Developer/Consultant
Firststrike Solutions
03.2002 - 08.2004
- Developed software applications to meet client specifications and enhance functionality.
- Liaised with clients to gather requirements and crafted tailored software solutions.
- Developed software solutions to enhance client systems and processes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and define project scope.
- Implemented coding standards and best practices for improved software quality.
Owner
Ideal databases
Tamworth, Australia
01.2000 - 03.2002
- Managed business operations, encompassing administration, marketing, and software application development for local businesses.
- Established Ideal Databases as a software development business in Tamworth.
- Developed innovative database solutions for diverse client needs.
- Managed project timelines and coordinated with cross-functional teams.
- Oversaw daily operations and ensured system reliability and performance.
Education
Diploma of IT (Business Systems) - 4GL Database Programming & Network Support
TAFE NSW
Tamworth01-2000
Bachelor of Arts - History, Archaeology
University of New England
Armidale, NSW01-1997
Skills
- Engineering leadership
- Team leadership
- Agile methodologies
- Strategic planning
- Software architecture and solutions
- Cloud computing
- Backend development
- Full stack development
- Data synchronization
- Cross-functional collaboration
Websites
Timeline
Engineering Manager
Orica
01.2025 - Current
Development Lead
Endava Asia Pacific
07.2024 - 02.2025
Principal Engineer
Mudbath Digital
09.2020 - 06.2024
Application Development Lead
definiti
11.2019 - 09.2020
Tech Lead
Liftango
05.2019 - 10.2019
Senior Software Developer
BMT Tax Depreciation Quantity Surveyors
06.2016 - 05.2019
Solution Developer
CIBIS International Pty Limited
09.2008 - 05.2016
IT Manager
Kip McGrath Education Centres
06.2007 - 09.2008
Developer
Castle Personnel Solutions
08.2004 - 06.2007
Developer/Consultant
Firststrike Solutions
03.2002 - 08.2004
Owner
Ideal databases
01.2000 - 03.2002
Diploma of IT (Business Systems) - 4GL Database Programming & Network Support
TAFE NSW
Bachelor of Arts - History, Archaeology
University of New England