What colleagues, leaders, and partners are saying

Walker is one of the most driven, talented, and curious developers that I had the opportunity to work alongside. He was continually engaged in solving the problem and hungry to make the application better. He always followed the boy scout rule “make the place better than you found it.” What really thrilled me about working with Walker is how he challenged me to grow, to explore new technologies, and persuasively argued for those technologies from a place of reason.

Walker is a great software engineer and would be an asset to any team, to any organization, and to any leader who wants to grow.

I had the pleasure of working with Walker Smith on two critical initiatives for my team, and his contributions were exceptional in both.

First, Walker joined my team part-time over three months to help upskill the team in UI development and support a rearchitecture project already in motion. He not only brought deep technical expertise but also a thoughtful, collaborative approach to mentoring. His guidance accelerated our progress and left the team more confident and capable in front-end development.

Second, when I inherited a website without any UI developers on staff, Walker generously offered his time to investigate the codebase. He delivered a clear, thorough, and actionable report outlining the current state, investment recommendations, and prioritization guidance. His insights gave me the clarity I needed to make informed decisions and plan next steps effectively.

Walker is a rare blend of technical depth, communication clarity, and team-first mindset. Any team would be lucky to have him.

Walker is a fantastic and well-spoken person first and foremost. Let's just start there. He was one of the first engineers that I had the opportunity to directly mentor during my early years at Microsoft.

He was the core contributor of one of the first major projects that I helped to lead as an IC, before I stepped back into management. I often find many engineers tend to sort of follow "what everyone else is doing" or just sort of fit into the puzzle or general flow of "what has been done in the past", and Walker Smith is the antithesis of that.

He is the engineer who literally thinks outside the box, but also is one who points out the most simple and obvious solution to any complex problem. He is methodically one of the most sound and thorough engineers that I have worked with and he leads by example. He embodies extreme ownership and helps to level up anyone else around him who would dare to think otherwise.

He owns up to the challenge, and accepts blame when it's someone else's code that breaks. He is a chief documenter, one who ensures an application or system is left in a better state than it was, and ensures it is understood with a high aptitude for ensuring easy consumption and reliability of code, all the way down to the variable naming convention.

His engineering precision is unmatched, but again going back to my beginning statement, when you hire Walker, you'll quickly realize that he's the "person", not just the engineer that you want on your team.

I had the pleasure of working with Walker and can confidently say he's one of the most technically skilled software engineers I've ever worked with. He has a deep understanding of web development, particularly with React and Typescript, and consistently delivered high-quality, maintainable code that set a standard for the team.

Walker's dedication to usability, code quality, and developer experience truly stood out. He proactively improved internal tooling and workflows, making life easier for everyone around him. His efforts often went beyond his immediate responsibilities, showing a strong sense of ownership and commitment to excellence.

I especially appreciated his thoughtful pull request comments — always constructive, insightful, and grounded in best practices. I can honestly say I learned a thing or two from Walker, and his feedback helped make me a better engineer.

He combines technical depth with a collaborative mindset, and any team would be lucky to have him on board.

I had the pleasure of working with Walker Smith during my time at Microsoft, where we collaborated for approximately five years. In a word, Walker is a visionary technical leader. He embodies the ideal combination of deep technical expertise, strong communication skills, and outstanding leadership qualities.

His attention to detail consistently impressed me—there were many instances where I found myself wondering how he managed to execute so flawlessly. Walker has the rare ability to independently drive a project from inception to completion with exceptional precision. I often found myself in awe while reviewing his pull requests, which showcased not only technical excellence but also an extraordinary level of customer empathy and craftsmanship.

Walker is a true leader in every sense. He has a natural ability to align the team toward a common goal, inspiring and guiding others with clarity and purpose. He fosters a collaborative environment by being genuinely open to ideas from across the team and consistently makes an effort to understand and incorporate diverse perspectives. He is a great team player!

Any team would be fortunate to have Walker as a member. I have no doubt he will go on to achieve great things and leave a lasting mark on the software industry. What makes him truly exceptional is that he brings others along on the journey—uplifting the team as he drives toward success.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Walker Smith for several years at VersionOne, where he consistently raised the bar for technical excellence and team collaboration. Walker's deep expertise in software engineering and Agile methodologies was evident not only in his own work but also in the way he empowered others to grow and succeed.

One standout example was when Walker led a critical performance enhancement for a major product feature. Rather than simply addressing the technical challenge, he actively engaged in the discovery process and asked thoughtful questions to understand our customers' real-world usage and pain points. This holistic approach enabled us to deliver a solution that not only met our technical goals but also significantly improved customer satisfaction—all within our original timeline.

Walker's attention to detail, pragmatic problem-solving, and calm, thoughtful communication made him a trusted partner across cross-functional teams. He is always willing to share knowledge, mentor colleagues, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Any organization would be fortunate to have Walker on their team—he combines deep technical skills, a strategic mindset, and a genuine passion for creating customer value.

I had the pleasure of working with Walker, and he consistently impressed me with his drive, creativity, and deep technical skill. He brought innovative thinking to every challenge and was a true partner to UX—thoughtful, open, and always focused on building the best experience for users. A standout collaborator and someone I'd gladly work with again.

Walker is one of the senior engineers I look up to and aspire to be. Walker demonstrates strength in 1. Deeply Caring about the Customer experience, 2. Constantly evolving and improving the engineering experience and best practices, 3. Fostering a culture of growth and learning within every team and project he is a part of. 4. Engineering Excellence overall

I worked with Walker for a few months as a junior engineer. I think I did a whole lot of learning during our time working together, and it was directly tied to Walker's influence on me as a fellow engineer, and his influence over the team.

My team was in the middle of transitioning our service into a more modern tech stack — where most of the concepts were new to me personally, as well as a new space for the team. Walker shared his knowledge of web development fundamentals, best practices on how to implement telemetry and other aspects of our service more efficiently, and he took the time to mentor me through basics of React, JavaScript, using Webpack and improving performance of our rendering, as well as improving accessibility and also test coverage with tools like Lighthouse, Cypress, among others. He also demonstrated impact in our team very well, and very quickly. He always focuses on doing things well and right for the customer — and I genuinely hope I get to work with Walker again in another project — he is an asset to the Software Engineering space, and in any new role he takes on.

Calling Walker a standout engineer only begins to capture the depth of his impact. During our time working together at Microsoft, I was consistently impressed by his ability to balance long-term engineering strategy with near-term execution. His strong technical vision enabled him to drive system-level improvements that raised the bar on our group's architecture as a whole, while simultaneously keeping feature delivery on track, sprint after sprint.

But Walker's strengths go well beyond the technical. He leads with an intuitive grasp of team dynamics, fostering an environment where others can do their best work. Collaborating with him wasn't just productive – it was genuinely inspiring, and a highlight of my time at Microsoft.

Walker is the kind of developer whose presence consistently elevates any team he's a part of. It was a privilege to work with him, and I wouldn't hesitate to do so again if given the opportunity.

Walker delivers scalable software solutions at breakneck speed. It seemed that at every standup, he had built 10 new features overnight. He has an extremely strong instinct for the customer journey and UX design, making even the first, proof-of-concept version of anything he built not only rich with functionality but also beautiful. His leadership skills also inspired me as PM, bringing clarity and empathy to decision making surrounding tradeoffs given tight resource constraints. Any team would be lucky to have Walker as a contributor.

Walker has always been a force-multiplying addition to any team; he's passionate about software development as a craft, with a continuous improvement (growth) mindset – and broadcasts a high-energy creative vibe that's super infectious.

Aside from epic architecture, design & coding talent, Walker's a natural, persuasive leader, and an excellent coach and driver of the adoption of new technology and practices.

And importantly, he gets a ton of sh** done, while continuously seeking better ways to get far better sh** done, in better time.

I am so grateful for the years we worked together – I feel that we learned a great deal from each other.

I worked with Walker some years back at VersionOne (Digital.ai) on several projects within the same team. Walker in my mind is a visionary in many ways in that he is looking at not only the big picture but the future as well, cognizant of both where the company strategy stands and what efficiencies and improves his contributions can make down the road. THIS is the type of developer you want not only coding but also leading other developers in your company.

In addition, Walker is both engaging and proactive in team building, activities and practices. He pushes those around him to excel more and brings the quality of work up overall. I do not hesitate to recommend Walker as a valuable addition to any software team he pursues.

Walker is one of the most outstanding engineers I've come across. He combines deep technical expertise with clear leadership and a strong sense of direction in agile development environments.

Walker builds scalable, resilient systems that are thoughtfully designed for long-term maintenance. He's always looking to improve developer efficiency—whether by optimizing build pipelines or designing modular architectures that enable faster, smarter collaboration.

He's also a passionate innovator, constantly exploring emerging technologies and integrating cutting-edge solutions like AI to solve complex challenges.

Beyond his technical skills, Walker is well-spoken, highly aspirational, and inspires those around him. His ability to communicate clearly and lead with purpose makes him a natural influencer and a valued teammate.

I recommend him without hesitation—any company would be fortunate to have him on their team.

I've had the pleasure of working with Walker Smith across multiple chapters of our careers; first at VersionOne and more recently at Microsoft. In every setting, Walker has stood out as a remarkable software engineer and colleague.

Walker brings a thoughtful, deliberate approach to engineering that consistently leads to high-impact outcomes. His work goes far beyond writing code—he architects resilient systems, leads cross-functional initiatives, and builds the infrastructure that accelerates progress for entire teams.

At Microsoft, his leadership in reducing content latency by over 99% and enabling scalable, AI-driven authoring tools has reshaped key parts of the platform. But what truly distinguishes Walker is how he elevates those around him. He fosters a culture of quality and continuous improvement, not through pressure or perfectionism, but through patience, mentorship, and a genuine willingness to share his knowledge.

Working with him feels like an invitation to grow, to learn, and to build better systems together. He's the kind of engineer whose presence raises the bar for the entire team in a quiet, consistent way. Walker is a principled engineer who cares deeply about his craft, his teammates, and the outcomes we deliver. He communicates complex ideas with clarity, takes ownership across boundaries, and builds trust through action.

Any team would be fortunate to work with Walker, but if you're in a position to hire him, don't hesitate. He's the kind of engineer who transforms teams and delivers lasting impact.

I had the pleasure of working with Walker during my time at VersionOne, and I always appreciated the thoughtfulness he brought to every conversation. He has a rare ability to challenge assumptions in a way that feels constructive rather than critical. His questions felt like like guideposts helping us make better, more intentional and informed decisions.

What stood out most to me was his energy and presence. He brings a kind of enthusiasm that lifts the people around him and makes collaboration easier and more enjoyable. He's also incredibly authentic and always makes time to talk through ideas or offer support to his teammates.

If you're looking for someone who brings both critical thinking and genuine care for his peers, Walker is someone you want on your team.

I've worked with Walker at various companies, and he is one of the most knowledgeable, well-rounded engineers I've ever had the privilege of working with. He is articulate, precise, and a master of his craft. He not only builds high-quality software but also raises the bar for those around him.

Walker has a strong sense of ownership. He takes initiative, follows through, and consistently delivers. He is dependable, driven, and genuinely passionate about software and building things that matter. When he is part of a team, you feel it. His presence elevates the energy, discipline, and overall quality of the work.

What sets him apart is his ability to bridge the gap between technical execution and product thinking. He has a sharp instinct for what users truly need and knows how to translate that into thoughtfully scoped, iterative units of work. He ships real value early and often, and he uses feedback to refine and improve outcomes.

Walker also shines as a communicator and mentor. When he teaches, he breaks down complex topics into digestible pieces and tailors his approach to the audience. Whether he is helping a junior engineer ramp up or aligning stakeholders on a tough decision, he does it with clarity and intent.

Finally, he is a deep thinker. He asks the hard questions, challenges assumptions, and consistently thinks outside the box. He brings fresh ideas to the table, and his impact is often unmatched.

If you are lucky enough to work with Walker, you will not only get a world-class engineer. You will get someone who pushes your product, your team, and your thinking to a whole new level.

I've had the privilege of working alongside Walker for over 4 years, and I can confidently say they are one of the most forward thinking and technically adept engineers I've encountered. Their ability to drive innovation while maintaining engineering excellence is truly exceptional. Whether tackling complex architectural challenges or mentoring others, they consistently elevate the entire team.

Walker isn't just an expert in software engineering — they're a thought leader who pushes boundaries and inspires those around them. Their deep knowledge of system design, scalability, and emerging AI technologies has shaped critical technical decisions and propelled projects to success. Beyond their technical acumen, they foster a culture of continuous learning and excellence, ensuring teams work cohesively toward impactful solutions.

If you're looking for someone who combines strategic vision, deep technical mastery, and a relentless drive for innovation, I wholeheartedly recommend Walker. They are a game changer in every sense of the word.

I had the pleasure of working with Walker Smith at VersionOne (now Digital.ai). While I was in sales and he was a software engineer, we collaborated regularly to bring customer feedback into the product development process. Walker was always open to listening and was quick to turn real-world input into real improvements.

From what I saw and heard from others on the team, Walker made a huge impact on the engineering side. He helped modernize our tech stack, improved developer efficiency, and built features that truly mattered to our customers—like webhooks for enterprise integrations and automated testing that saved hundreds of hours per release.

He also stood out as a strong mentor and technical leader, helping teammates grow their skills and pushing for best practices across teams. Any organization would benefit from having Walker on their team.

Walker's engineering expertise is defined by a meticulous and strategic approach that drives high-impact results. He excels not only as a skilled coder but also as a visionary system architect, cross-functional leader, and infrastructure builder who propels teams forward. What's even more remarkable is his ability to elevate those around him, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement through patient guidance, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. Collaborating with Walker is a transformative experience, offering opportunities for growth, learning, and collective progress. He consistently raises the bar for his peers, and his presence is a valuable asset to any team.

Beyond his technical prowess, Walker is an exceptional team player - articulate, driven, intelligent, and inclusive. His presence would be a significant win for any organization. If you have the chance to bring him on board, don't hesitate - he's a game-changer who delivers outstanding results and leaves a lasting impact on the teams he works with.

Walker is so much more than an extremely talented engineer. I have had the privilege of seeing Walker display curiosity for and deep understanding of the customer journey, all while guiding and mentoring his colleagues on engineering best practices. I've worked with hundreds of engineers in my career and Walker is one of the very best.

I would jump at the chance to work with him again and I look forward to seeing the creative ways in which he'll solve future problems. Anyone who wants to hear more about Walker can message me directly, too.

I highly recommend Walker for any software engineering positions. He knows how to code in multiple platforms and cranks out new code very quickly. He is very adept at backend systems but also is detail orientated and talented to take on front end work. More importantly, he knows when to not code and ask key design, usability, and situational questions. These questions lead to better and more usable end products. Additionally, Walker is a tremendous team player who works well with other experienced engineers and can smoothly onboard new/junior engineers. Finally, Walker stepped in as our security/vulnerability leader and as such, he quickly ramped up on evolving guidance and drove integration of the work into quarterly plans and completion as part of regular sprint work. I would happily work with Walker again.

Walker is a great teammate to work with. I had the pleasure of working with Walker on multiple projects during our time together at Microsoft.

Walker came to our team already with a lot of knowledge and experience. I have learned a lot from both his work as well as his mentorship.

I've always valued Walker's knowledge and would often refer to him to create solutions that work at scale.

Walker would make a great addition to any Software Engineering team.

I had the privilege of working alongside Walker during my time at Microsoft, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity. His combination of technical depth, strong leadership, and genuine compassion made him someone I constantly looked up to and learned from.

Walker leads with integrity and empathy. Whether it was through thoughtful code reviews, architectural guidance, or just being a supportive leader, he created and fostered an environment where people felt heard and empowered. He consistently brought clarity to complex problems and put in the hard work needed to see things through, always with a calm, solution-oriented mindset.

Many of the lessons I carry with me today concerning engineering, collaboration, and leadership are thanks to my time working with Walker. Any team would be fortunate to have him.

Working with Walker on AI integration at Microsoft was one of the highlights of my time there. He’s incredibly talented technically, but what really stood out was how genuinely supportive and encouraging he was to work with.

Walker has an amazing ability to break down complex problems and guide the team through solutions without ever making anyone feel overwhelmed. His code reviews taught me so much, and he always took the time to explain his thinking.

He’s also incredibly organized with a sharp eye for catching things before they become major issues. His attention to detail and forward-thinking approach kept our entire team on track, even when we were dealing with multiple moving pieces and tight deadlines.

Walker inspired me to be a better engineer, and any team lucky enough to work with him will feel the same way.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Walker, and I can confidently say he exemplifies what it means to be an impactful engineering leader. Walker has a deep understanding of developer experience and a rare ability to balance technical excellence with people-first leadership.

He doesn't just lead teams—he empowers them to thrive by identifying high-leverage improvements in tooling, testing, and workflows that drive real efficiency and quality. Whether he's mentoring engineers, aligning stakeholders, or guiding devex strategy, Walker brings clarity, empathy, and relentless focus on outcomes.

Any team would be lucky to have him at the helm.

Walker is an outstanding engineer, team player, and leader. His natural curiosity for technology is just contagious.

I’ll miss working with you, Walker, but have no doubt some lucky team will bring you on to help make a dent in their part of the universe.

If anyone asks for a reference, send them my way!