I’m a hands-on Software Architect with over two decades of experience building resilient, scalable systems. I specialize in data platform engineering, distributed architectures, and agent-driven systems that solve real-world problems.
Currently, I’m architecting data pipelines for GoToMarket Sales Intelligence at ShiftUpAI.com. Before that, I spent a decade building systems at Salesforce. Here I share what I’m learning about modern architectures, AI integration patterns, and navigating the next phase of a software engineering career.
What I Do
I spend my days designing and building:
- Data Pipelines & Platforms - Scalable systems that turn raw data into actionable insights
- Distributed Systems - Backend architectures that handle complexity gracefully
- Agent-Driven Solutions - AI-integrated systems that enhance human capabilities
- Resilient Architectures - Systems that fail gracefully and recover quickly
Philosophy
After two decades in software engineering, I’ve learned that the best architectures are like good stories - they have clear structure, handle complexity gracefully, and actually solve real problems. I believe in building both systems and life intentionally.
Publications
I’ve written about data platform engineering and fault-tolerant system design:
- Building a Fault-Tolerant Data Pipeline for Chatbots - Salesforce Engineering Blog
- Building a Scalable Event Pipeline with Heroku and Salesforce - Salesforce Engineering Blog
Patents
- Signals and Measurement of Business Goals in a Chatbot Platform - US Patent 17/932,750, Filed Sep 16, 2022, Granted Oct 8, 2024
Connect With Me
I share insights about software architecture, career transitions, and lessons learned from the trenches of engineering.
linkedin.com/in/markholtonsoftware
This blog is where I document my journey through the evolving landscape of software engineering, data platforms, and the art of building systems that matter.