Dear Sir or Madam,
I am excited to apply at your company. I have worked for over a decade as a software engineer in the FibreChannel and Ethernet industry. My primary focus during this time has been writing applications that interface with the hardware used in development, testing, and manufacturing of Host Bus Adapters (HBAs). More recently I was the lead developer for the Hardware Diagnostics for Security Appliances at Symantec. These positions allowed me to work cross-functionally with Hardware, Driver, and Software teams and enabled a broad knowledge over the products I worked with. In addition I've had a strong focus on automating workflows in the build and test portions of our software development.
Thank you for your consideration,
Michael Caldwell
Lead developer for Diagnostic Software for Security Appliances used to validate products during development and manufacturing. Delivered Diagnostic Software in time for rollout of new appliances in manufacturing.
C/C++
Python
Linux
Coordinate with ODMs when triaging and diagnosing hardware issues encountered during product development.
Designed and created diagnostic applications for hardware analysis. Wrote application frontend (GUI) in Python and WxWidgets while utilizing C code to interface with hardware through driver layer
C
Python
WxWidgets
Developed automation pipeline for building and packaging for Linux driver RPM installers
Python
Bash
RPM
Developed packaging and build automation for Docker based application
John Chamberlain, VP Engineering at Broadcom
VP over Michael's organization, 2011—2022
Michael is a quick learner and always gets the job done. He continuously acquired new skills and his role expanded accordingly. He was an asset on teams and helped the team focus on what was important and smoothed ruffled feathers on occasion. Michael was a high performing contributor and is very conscientious. I would highly recommend him.
Nandkishor Rane, Senior Principal HW Engineer at Broadcom
Michael's Manager 2022—2025
I had the opportunity to work with Michael Caldwell at Broadcom Inc., and I’m happy to recommend him based on my direct experience working with him as a Hardware Engineer. Michael worked with me as a Software Diagnostics Engineer and played a key role in developing and improving manufacturing diagnostics for our security appliances. He demonstrated solid technical skills in both hardware and software, as well as a strong work ethic.
One of Michael’s strengths is his ability to quickly adapt to new challenges. When tasked with working on legacy Symantec products, he took the time to thoroughly understand the systems and made meaningful contributions despite the complexity of the codebase. His ability to navigate and improve legacy systems was a valuable asset to the team.
Michael also demonstrated strong initiative by proposing a new diagnostic codebase using PHP for our security server platforms. This innovative approach aimed to reduce development time for diagnostics and accelerate time-to-market for the product, showcasing his forward-thinking mindset and technical expertise.
On a personal level, Michael is a collaborative team member who communicates technical concepts clearly and works well with others. He is always willing to take on challenges and consistently puts in the effort to deliver results.
I consider Michael to be a reliable and skilled engineer who brings technical expertise and a practical approach to his work. I’d recommend him to any team looking for someone who can quickly get up to speed and contribute effectively.
Mike Goodman, Senior Development Manager at Amazon
Michael's Manager at Emulex 2011—2015
I am writing to provide a strong recommendation for Michael Caldwell, an exceptional software engineer whom I had the privilege of managing for several years. During our time working together, Michael consistently demonstrated strong technical skills, leadership potential, and a commitment to excellence.
I witnessed his progression from a talented engineer to a Senior Software Engineer, where he made significant contributions to our organization's technological capabilities. One of his most notable achievements was leading the development of a comprehensive manufacturing validation application that successfully addressed multiple product variations, showcasing his ability to tackle complex technical challenges with precision and innovation.
A key strength is his ability to modernize and improve existing systems. He played a crucial role in migrating legacy software tools to work with a modern validation framework, demonstrating both technical expertise and strategic thinking. He excelled at discussing requirements and carefully coordinating version rollouts with our offshore manufacturing team.
He is detail-oriented, combining meticulous attention to specifics with a remarkable bias for action and delivery. Michael has the ability to see the big picture while consistently making sound decisions. His strategic thinking allows him to understand complex systems and develop effective solutions.
Perhaps most importantly, Michael is an exceptional team player who builds trust through complete transparency. His communication skills and collaborative approach make him a valuable asset to any team. Colleagues and stakeholders alike appreciate his openness, reliability, and commitment to shared success.
I confidently recommend Michael Caldwell for any software development or technical leadership role. His combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills make him an outstanding professional who will add significant value to any organization.