Richard Pillaca

Career Journey

The timeline of my professional experience across engineering, data, and consulting.

Jan 2026 – Present

work

Web Content & UX Lead

BrainTrainr Toronto, ON · Remote

  • Lead web content strategy and UX design using Webflow
  • Improved user experience through interaction design and content optimization
WebflowUX DesignContent StrategyFigma

Sep 2025 – Dec 2025

work

Frontend Developer

Karac Switzerland · Remote

  • Reduced signup flow time from 2 minutes to 45 seconds through UX redesign
  • Built responsive UI components using Laravel, Alpine.js, and Tailwind CSS
  • Collaborated with Swiss team across time zones using Agile methodology
LaravelAlpine.jsTailwind CSSJavaScript

May 2025 – Aug 2025

work

Full-Stack Developer (Capstone)

UBC Faculty of Science Kelowna, BC

  • Built backend logic for randomized exam generation and statistical grading algorithms
  • Created analytics dashboard to visualize exam results and trends over time
  • Coordinated sprints as Scrum Master, managing client feedback and cross-team delivery
  • Reduced report load times from 4 minutes to 60 seconds via SQL optimizations
React.jsTailwind CSSDjangoPostgreSQLDockerGitHub Actions

Jan 2025 – May 2025

research

Research Assistant

University of British Columbia Kelowna, BC

  • Analyzed 5,000+ GitHub repositories using SonarQube and Python data pipelines
  • Applied Mann-Whitney U statistical tests to compare AI vs. human code quality
  • Won Best Presentation award out of 10 competing research cohorts
  • Earned MSR (Mining Software Repositories) conference nomination
PythonSonarQubeGitHub APISciPyData Mining

Sep 2024 – Apr 2025

volunteer

Vice-President Internal

Latin American Student Association Kelowna, BC

  • Managed social media and collaborated with student clubs to boost engagement and event participation
  • Optimized event planning under union regulations and streamlined budgets via sprint meetings, reducing costs
Event PlanningBudget ManagementSocial MediaLeadership

Aug 2023 – Sep 2025

work

Business Development Representative

UBC Okanagan Campus Kelowna, BC · On-site

  • Handled 80+ weekly inquiries and POS transactions, managed peak periods to cut wait times
  • Processed online orders with accurate inventory handoffs
  • Provided front-line IT support for account setup, troubleshooting, and basic diagnostics
  • Strengthened communication, organization, and problem-solving in a fast-paced student-facing environment
Customer ServiceIT SupportPOS SystemsInventory Management

Aug 2023 – Apr 2025

volunteer

Founder & President

Football Enthusiast Student Club Kelowna, BC

  • Managed $2,500 budget and coordinated event logistics for campus tournaments
  • Increased event attendance through strategic social media and campus outreach
  • Built and maintained a growing community of football enthusiasts at UBC
LeadershipEvent PlanningBudget ManagementCommunity Building
🔗 View Partner →

Nov 2023 – Feb 2024

volunteer

Cofounder & Project coordinator

Okanagan Tech Industry Night Kelowna, BC

  • Organized tech event for 200+ attendees, managing invites, sponsors, and logistics
  • Connected students with industry professionals from the Okanagan tech ecosystem
Event ManagementNetworkingSponsorship