About Me
I'm Bryan McNeil, a full-stack software engineer with 8+years of experience building web applications. It has been a unique journey over the years, with ups and downs, but I've learned a lot and grown as a developer. Here you can learn more about me outside of work, my philosophy degree, travel experiences, and the crew at home.
How I Work
I'm the type who wants to know all the details of a system or project. I want to understand the details so I can answer any questions with total accuracy. When a completely new technology lands on my desk, I jump straight in. I read the docs, follow the tutorials, and spin up local test environments, so whatever I build I have confidence in it working right. I'll admit I can be a bit of a lone wolf when programming. That independence just comes from wanting full working knowledge, so when it comes time to fix or build something, I can do it confidently and quickly. I've learned over the years that every company operates differently and brings its own weird quirks. My true core skill isn't just writing software. It's adapting to those unique environments and stepping into whatever role the team needs most.
Off the Clock
Outside of programming, I'm an avid learner. Right now that means a post-baccalaureate degree in philosophy. I've always loved the big questions: who we are as people, what are the fundamentals of reality, how to face the existential weight we all carry, and what it means to live a good life. I'll follow any idea, openly and freely, if it gets me closer to capital "T" Truth.
Beyond the books, I love traveling to experience different cultures. I've been to Germany, Brazil, and Japan. Japan has turned into a habit. My wife and I have been on three trips there now over the last 8 years, and we still find something new every time we go. We're probably addicted. We've decided not to fight it.
The Crew at Home
I'm married to my lovely wife, Kaitlin, and we share the house with Moose and Mochi. Moose is our corgi, a small bundle of energy and anxiety who keeps us active. He always wants to play, and he expects nightly cuddles or he gets huffy. Mochi is our black cat and the most loving cat I know. He demands cuddles so often it borders on annoying, and boy, does he meow loudly for attention.
Sadly, we lost our other corgi Marty in 2025. He was one of the smartest, sweetest dogs I've ever known. We keep him close in our hearts everyday and remember him fondly. We try to honor his memory daily by dedicating a section of the house for him with his toys and photos of him, so we can drop by to say hi.
Snapshots
A few favorites from the camera roll.
