Joshua Harrison

I am a

About

Hello World.

Innovative and results-driven Software Engineer with a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Durham University. With over 2 years of hands-on experience at Amazon, I've led initiatives to overhaul and expand key features on Prime Video, significantly enhancing user retention globally. Between employment and side projects, I have 6+ years of experience in a diverse tech stack, including Java, AWS, Python, and more.

I've contributed to best-in-class research, with a publication in the 2023 IEEE European Symposium on Security and Privacy, expanding the literature in acoustic side channel attacks on keyboards and novel applications of Deep Learning. My projects, such as a Stock Headline Sentiment Accuracy Classifier and a Pegasus Image Generating DC-GAN, have both fostered an interest in, and showcased talent for, Machine Learning and Data Science.

I hold certifications in SQL for Data Science and have a track record of success in both individual and collaborative projects. Beyond my professional pursuits, I am a versatile individual with interests ranging from DJ-ing and fencing to obstacle course racing and public speaking.

  • Location: London, UK
  • Relocation: Possible
  • Employment: SDE at Amazon (1.5 years)
  • Email: josh@jbfh.com

Skills

Throughout my experience in tech, I have attained a number of skills at varying levels of proficiency. Please see below for an example of some of the technologies I have had the opportunity to use. This is a list I'm always excited and eager to add to!

Python 100%
Java 80%
PyTorch 80%
Amazon Web Services 60%
Pandas 60%
AWS CDK 60%
SQL 50%
SageMaker 40%

Resume

Below is a selection of my relevant work experience, please see my LinkedIn or Contact Me for further details.

Education

Durham University, UK

2018 - 2022

MEng Computer Science

Weighted Average: 74% (1st Class with Honours)
Modules studied include:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Recommender Systems
  • Software Engineering
  • Networks and Systems
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Virtual and Augmented reality
  • Multimedia and Game Development
  • Public Engagement in Computer Science
  • Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning
  • Advanced Computer Graphics and Visualization
  • Computer Vision & Advanced Computer Vision
  • Computational Modelling in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School

2016 - 2018

A-Levels: Computer Science, Mathematics & Physics
Grades: A*, A*, A respectively

AS-Level: History
Grade: A

Experience

Software Development Engineer

08/2022 - Present

Amazon

  • Retained over 504,000 subscriptions globally by overhauling and expanding the “Remind Me Later” feature on Prime Video
  • Increased marketplace availability of retention initiatives by 100% through implementation of scalable Java classes
  • Reduced team’s operational overhead by 49% by auditing AWS Cloudwatch Alarms using AWS CDK
  • Managed in-house CI/CD pipelines featuring automated unit and integration testing

Risk, finance & treasury technology intern

06/2021 - 08/2021

Barclays

  • Automated cloud resource usage reporting using VBA, reducing budgeting time overhead by 90%
  • Utilized Agile methodology to perform resource management and reallocation on an in-house Cloud Data Platform

Risk, finance & treasury technology intern

07/2020 - 08/2020

Barclays

  • Developed data quality checks for over 3,000,000+ records for reports to European Securities and Markets Authority
  • Improved DevOps usage and project management by migrating team from JIRA to Rally.

Bar Staff, Gym Staff & Assistant Events Officer

11/2021 - 07/2022

South College, Durham University

  • Worked within a diverse team to lead and support in-house events, create inclusive environments and regularly break bar revenue records while raising significant money for charity.

Young advisor & Youth lead champion

10/2015 - 06/2018

NHS & CYP-IAPT

  • Assisted in re-centering the Derby University CBT training course to centre on the patient as an end customer.
  • Presented at regional board meetings to update senior staff.
  • Enforced quality service across hospitals in the midlands through audits, interviews and board meetings with NHS trusts.

Actor

07/2008 - 07/2016

TrEAD Stage School

  • Performed within diverse casts to develop and perform musicals with professional west-end choreographers and directors.
  • Acquired leading roles in venues across the country, most notably the Manchester Palace Theatre.

A Practical Deep Learning-Based Acoustic Side Channel Attack on Keyboards

As part of my MEng at Durham University (2018 - 2022), I performed an experiment in which I wanted to see if a deep learning (DL) model built for image recognition could apply it's state-of-the-art architecture to the relatively underexplored problem of keystroke acoustic classification. This paper went on to get some international attention...

Portfolio

Below are a few of my past projects both from personal interest and as part of my degree, keep checking back or follow my GitHub to see progress!

  • All
  • Machine Learning
  • Web

Explore Beaurepaire

HTML/CSS, JS, MongoDB

Stock Headline Sentiment Accuracy Classifier

Python - SKLearn, Pandas, Requests

Restaurant Hybrid Recommender System

Python - SKLearn, Pandas, SciPy

Pegasus Image Generating GAN

Python - PyTorch

Just a Tool: Online Safety Course for Retired Persons

MS Sway

Gravitar-Playing ML

Python - PyTorch

Distributed Food Ordering System

Python - Pyro4