Travis DeShazo
Engineer. Coder. Problem Solver.
Software engineer building API-driven services and ETL pipelines for laboratory and pilot-plant workflows, with 10+ years of domain expertise in high-consequence operational environments.
About Me
Hi, I’m Travis DeShazo, a software engineer building API-driven services and ETL pipelines for laboratory and pilot-plant workflows. I combine software engineering with 10+ years of domain experience in lab and process operations to deliver reliable systems in regulated, high-consequence environments.
Quick Facts
Current Role
Technical Software Engineer at ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company (May 2024 - Present)
Industry Background
10+ years in laboratory and pilot-plant operations with software delivery in regulated environments.
Education
Boot.dev: Back-end Developer Path Certificate (Feb 2026)
Rowan University: B.S. Chemistry with Minor in Physics (Dec 2012)
Recent Achievement
Developed Python inventory and ETL workflows that supported compliant disposal of 475K gallons of research samples and delivered $696K/year savings.
Core Technologies
Technical Interests
Skills
Backend software engineer focused on API services, ETL pipelines, and laboratory data integrations that deliver measurable operational impact.
Backend Engineering
Designing and shipping backend systems in Python and .NET with a focus on reliability, maintainability, and production readiness.
Data Engineering and ETL
Building ETL pipelines and operational data flows that improve traceability, reporting, and decision speed across laboratory workflows.
Laboratory Informatics
Integrating LIMS and process historian systems (OPC-HDA) into purpose-built applications and dashboards for research and pilot-plant teams.
Performance Modernization
Modernizing legacy platforms into API-driven architectures, including work that improved response times by 65%.
Process Operations Domain Expertise
10+ years in pilot-plant and laboratory operations, enabling practical software delivery in regulated, high-consequence environments.
Leadership and Collaboration
Led teams of technicians and partnered with researchers, managers, and engineers to drive adoption of automation and data solutions.
Testing and Quality
Built validation and test frameworks for API integrations, including Python-based tooling to verify mission-critical LIMS connections.
Applied AI Prototyping
Working with OpenAI and Gemini APIs, sentence transformers, and RAG patterns to extend backend systems with practical AI capabilities.
Experience
Building production software and data integrations for laboratory and pilot-plant operations, with measurable impact in cost, cycle time, and platform reliability.
Boot.dev
Back-end Developer Path Certificate
Completed structured backend training focused on practical software engineering fundamentals.
Key Achievements
- Earned the Back-end Developer Path Certificate in February 2026.
- Covered Python, Go, SQL, HTTP APIs, Docker, and AWS fundamentals.
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Technical Software Engineer
Embedded in pilot plant and laboratory engineering as one of two software engineers supporting research applications and data integrations.
Key Achievements
- Developed Python chemical inventory tools and ETL pipelines enabling compliant disposal of 475K gallons of research samples, delivering $696K/year savings.
- Modernized a legacy data platform into an API-driven ASP.NET Core and SQL Server stack, reducing response time by 65%.
- Integrated LIMS and OPC-HDA historian data into purpose-built applications and dashboards for real-time metrics.
- Led development and maintenance of a lab and pilot-plant data platform supporting 20 hydroprocessing pilot units and 30 users across the U.S. and Malaysia.
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Distillation Lead
Led global crude assay distillation operations while driving automation and software-enabled process improvements.
Key Achievements
- Developed a Python SDK and test framework validating 100% of new in-house LIMS API connections.
- Reduced raw-material processing time by 50% by designing metrics models and streamlining workflows.
- Increased distillation throughput by 30% through automated solutions and custom operating routines.
- Led a team of 5 technicians and coordinated with cross-functional technical teams to improve assay turnaround and consistency.
- Expanded scope in November 2023 to a split role across distillation leadership and software engineering.
Independent Project
Creator, GPT-2 Religion A.I. (Personal Project)
Built and released a generative NLP project exploring long-form pseudo-biblical text generation from curated religious and philosophical corpora.
Key Achievements
- Learned Python and trained a GPT-2 language model on a large corpus of English translations of ancient and modern religious texts.
- Released the GPT-2 Religion A.I. bot on Twitter to generate pseudo-biblical verses and philosophical-style outputs.
- Developed practical experience in data preparation, model training workflows, and prompt/output evaluation for generative AI systems.
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Senior Research Technician
Promoted to Senior Research Technician in 2018; led advanced process research and automation-focused improvements.
Key Achievements
- Established expertise in basestock refining research, including solvent extraction, dewaxing, de-asphalting, and support for global crude and lube assays.
- Accelerated pilot-plant feedback from 24+ hours to near real-time and cut processing time by 25% via automation upgrades and equipment repurposing.
- Co-invented and patented a solvent extraction process for vacuum residue (US Patent 11,801,454).
- Used Visual Basic data scripts and ETL pipelines to automate data workup and improve downstream decision quality.
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Research Technician
Officially hired by ExxonMobil in May 2014 as a Research Technician.
Key Achievements
- Supported laboratory and pilot-plant operations while building domain expertise in refining process development.
- Contributed to assay execution, data collection, and operational continuity for research programs.
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company (Contractor)
Contractor
Began working as a contractor for ExxonMobil in 2013 prior to full-time hire.
Key Achievements
- Supported pilot-plant and laboratory teams during early operational assignments.
- Built foundational process and systems knowledge that enabled transition into full-time research roles.
Henkel
Process Development Intern
Completed a Process Development Internship in 2012.
Key Achievements
- Completed a process development internship at Henkel.
- Graduated from Rowan University in December 2012 with a B.S. in Chemistry and a Minor in Physics.
Tech Stack
Technologies used to build backend services, laboratory data integrations, and operational tooling.
Programming Languages
Web and API Frameworks
Data and Persistence
Integration and Cloud
Tooling and Platforms
AI and NLP
Let's Connect
Send me a message
Contact Information
Open to software engineering opportunities and collaborations in backend systems, laboratory informatics, and data integration. Reach out to discuss how I can help deliver reliable, high-impact technical solutions.
GitHub
github.com/tdeshazoLocation
New Jersey, USA