Mark LaCore
After 25 years in IT, I've learned that the best technology solves real problems — and I love building things that do exactly that. My sweet spot is automating the boring stuff so teams can focus on what matters. I've spent my career diving deep into cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and system architecture, always looking for that elegant solution that makes everyone's life easier.
I'm fully embracing this new wave of AI coding tools, and honestly, it's the most excited I've been about development in years. I use Roo Code in enterprise environments for its robust security controls, while Claude Code powers my personal projects with its exceptional code reasoning. The Playwright MCP integration has been a game-changer for dialing in web templates and resolving accessibility issues. These AI assistants help me write cleaner code faster and catch security vulnerabilities before they ship.
As a hacker at heart, I participate in Capture the Flag competitions and maintain a home lab with robots, LED matrices, and enough Raspberry Pis to start a compute cluster. It's part mad scientist workshop, part cybersecurity testing ground — and it keeps my skills razor-sharp.
Professional Experience
Sr. Software Engineer at Apple Cupertino, 2017 - PresentDevelops and maintains security tooling and microservices that automate the onboarding and lifecycle management of Windows systems within internal security platforms, including building and managing SCCM environments. Creates PowerShell-based telemetry solutions to enforce minimum security requirements and implements Python-based automations for ServiceNow ticket and work order workflows. Designs web services for cryptographic operations, including software signing of PE binaries and MSI files using Microsoft Authenticode certificates stored in HSMs.
Applies red team methodologies and offensive security expertise to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen defensive postures across enterprise systems. Leverages AI-assisted development tools such as Roo Code, Claude Code, and Playwright MCP to enhance code quality, automate security audits, improve accessibility compliance, and accelerate development cycles across both legacy systems and new security initiatives.
Sr. Systems Administrator at Theranos Palo Alto, 2012 - 2016Managed Configuration Manager environments for ongoing configuration management, reporting, patch management, and compliance enforcement across the organization. Developed zero-touch provisioning task sequences for the Desktop team and designed IT support infrastructure for Retail and Wellness Center locations. Implemented System Center Orchestrator to automate IT processes such as new hire onboarding and termination workflows.
Theranos was a health technology company that claimed to revolutionize blood testing. It became one of Silicon Valley's most notorious fraud cases, inspiring the book Bad Blood, the HBO documentary The Inventor, and the Hulu series The Dropout.
Systems Engineer at ZAG Technical Services San Jose, CA, 2007 - 2012Provided customer support for Windows Client/Server environments. Worked with System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft Exchange, Linux, Active Directory, and Citrix. Developed and maintained custom tools for internal use.
A genuinely enjoyable experience working with a talented team. ZAG has since been acquired by Harbor IT.
Sr. Systems Administrator at Edge Group Las Vegas, 2005 - 2007Designed entire network infrastructure based on Active Directory, Exchange, and BlackBerry. Provided comprehensive IT support for all users.
Edge Group was a real estate and property development company that was developing the W Las Vegas Hotel/Casino on the Harmon corridor of Las Vegas.
Windows Systems and Helpdesk Administrator at Brocade San Jose, 2002 - 2005Provided IT support across the organization and maintained McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator for endpoint security management. Performed server rack and stack operations for both IT infrastructure and user systems.
Brocade Communications Systems was a pioneer in Fibre Channel SAN switching technology, revolutionizing enterprise storage networking in the early 2000s. The company was later acquired by Broadcom in 2017.
Desktop Support Technician at Yahoo! Sunnyvale, 2000 - 2001Provided second-tier desktop support to local users and assisted in the deployment of Windows 2000 across the organization.
At the turn of the millennium, Yahoo! was the gateway to the internet for hundreds of millions of people — the most visited website in the world, a cultural force that defined how a generation discovered email, news, chat, and the web itself.
Technical Proficiencies
- Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS (DynamoDB, EC2, S3, Elastic Beanstalk), Azure, GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM
- Programming & Development: Python (Flask, Pillow/PIL, OpenCV, hardware control), C++ (YOLO post-processing, xtensor), JavaScript/ES6 (computer vision, React), MicroPython, CircuitPython, PowerShell
- AI & Machine Learning: Google Gemini AI integration, Hailo AI processor, Computer Vision (OpenCV), Stable Diffusion, LLM integration
- Robotics & Motion Control: 6-wheel mecanum drive systems, Adafruit Motor HAT, stepper motor controllers (HRB8825), servo control (PCA9685), PID tuning, pan-tilt mechanisms
- Microcontrollers & SBCs: Raspberry Pi 5 (Hailo AI, dual cameras), Raspberry Pi Pico W (RP2040) (LED matrix, overclocking), GPIO programming, I2C/UART communication
- Sensors & Electronics: MPU9250 (9-axis IMU), compass calibration, infrared cameras (Pi NoIR), INA219 battery monitoring, power management (3.3V/5V/12V domains)
- Display Technologies: WS2812B NeoPixel LED programming (324 LED matrix), SSD1306 OLED displays, real-time graphics rendering (50+ FPS), LCD display systems
- Computer Vision & Image Processing: Real-time object detection, motion tracking, pose estimation, image stacking, dual-camera synchronization, MJPEG streaming
- Hardware Input & Control: Zero-latency controller-to-robot interfaces, input event handling (100Hz), joystick service integration, keyboard mapping
- Performance Optimization: 2.8x performance boost achieving 50+ FPS on 324 LED matrix, C programming optimization, vectorized operations, real-time processing
- Mathematical & Physics: Mandelbrot/Julia fractals, Conway's Game of Life, trajectory calculations, optimization algorithms, audio synthesis
- Cybersecurity: Penetration testing, red/blue team operations, CTF competitions, vulnerability assessment, Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, Burp Suite
- Networking & Protocols: WiFi router management, RESTful APIs, AT Protocol (Bluesky), rate limiting, WebSocket real-time communication, ADSB flight tracking, satellite trajectory calculations
- Web Application & Data: NoSQL data modeling (DynamoDB, TTL-based expiry), public safety data aggregation, geocoding & reverse geocoding, Web Push notifications, IndexNow SEO submission, location-aware AI responses
- System Administration: Linux systemd services, network management, Windows/Linux/macOS administration, Active Directory, Exchange
Certifications
- CISSP - ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- CC - ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity
- MCSE - Microsoft Certified System Engineer
- MCSA - Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
- MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional
- RHCSA - RedHat Certified Systems Administrator
- RHCT - RedHat Certified Systems Technician
Additional Skills
- 3D Modeling & Printing (STL design for custom robot enclosures, household parts, costumes, props)
- Electronics & Prototyping (Circuit design, transistors, resistors, capacitors, piezo buzzers)
- Home Automation & IoT Device Development
- Maker Technologies (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, MicroPython/CircuitPython)
- Creative Coding & Graphics Programming (Generative art, real-time visual effects, canvas animations)
- Astronomy & Astrophotography (Long exposure techniques, image stacking, satellite tracking)
- Audio Systems (DarkIce streaming, mood-based music engines)
- Microdrone Building & Flying (Custom flight controllers, FPV systems)
Professional Preferences
- Prefer flexible or hybrid working arrangements
- Seeking a mutually supportive team environment
- Interested in companies valuing diversity and inclusion
Currently interested in technical lead, creative coding, AI research, or principal computer scientist roles in the San Jose / Silicon Valley area. Open to discussing arrangements.