Hi, I'm Stepan Manookian

Creative & passionate project manager delivering software projects end-to-end with agile leadership and engineering mentorship.

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About

Results-driven IT Project Manager with a robust background in software development and over 12+ years of driving complex projects to successful completion. Demonstrates exceptional analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, coupled with a proven ability to lead and inspire multinational teams. Adept at leveraging Agile methodologies to optimize project workflows and deliver high-quality solutions that align with client objectives. Committed to continuous performance improvement, fostering strong client relationships, and exceeding project goals within and budget constraints

Services

Project Management

Plan, lead, and deliver software projects with agile practices.

Technical Consulting

Advise on technical solutions and optimize business processes.

Application Development

Ship high-quality web, desktop and mobile apps end-to-end.

Experience

IT MANAGEMENT, CONSULTING & FULL-STACK DEVELOPMENT

@ Manookian LLC, Dubai, UAE 01/22 — present

MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of both the business and technical requirements of clients by working closely with stakeholders to define project objectives, requirements, and success criteria.
  • Lead the planning, execution, monitoring and delivery of project development, including scope definition, resource allocation, and timeline management.
  • Identify and mitigate project risks, issues, and dependencies, and develop contingency plans as needed.Prepare Risk log report.
  • Project Delivery processes set up from scratch; guidance and coaching of the teams in adoption of PM methodologies practices and values.
  • Development and consolidation of delivery/progress status reports across projects with corrective actions if necessary.
  • Establish and communicate documented escalation procedures to clients, consultants, and managers.
  • Resources coordination/acquisition for the flawless execution of the project.
  • Manage issues, road-blockers and facilitate their resolution while ensuring all affected parties are informed.
  • Identify and manage project changes via change control board processes (CCB).
  • Development of delivery/progress status reports of product teams to the management accompanies with corrective actions if necessary.

FULL-STACK DEVELOPER / TECHNICAL LEAD

  • Architect and develop a specialized job portal web application using Node.js, Vue.js, Directus (headless CMS), MySQL, Docker, and n8n for workflow automation, enabling efficient employer-employee matching.
  • Lead full-stack development implementing modern frontend technologies (Vue.js, Tailwind CSS, JavaScript) and backend services (Node.js, RESTful APIs), ensuring responsive design and optimal user experience.
  • Establish DevOps practices including containerization with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and automated workflows via n8n for seamless deployment and operational efficiency.
  • Drive performance optimization and scalability improvements, ensuring the application handles concurrent users and maintains fast response times under load.
  • Oversee integration of third-party services and APIs, implementing secure authentication, data synchronization, and real-time notifications for enhanced functionality.

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

@ Freelancer, Germany 12/2020 — 01/2022
  • Facilitate the adoption of Scrum framework in three cross-functional teams.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to identify process bottlenecks and implemented automation tools.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to project managers and team members to help them understand and adhere to Agile methodologies and best practices.
  • Complete projects on-time and on-budget while maintaining a customer satisfaction rating of at least 90%.
  • Monitor and report on project progress to stakeholders, including identifying and managing project risks, issues, and dependencies.

PROJECT MANAGER & SOFTWARE ENGINEER

@ Harman International, Garching, Germany 02/2016 — 02/2020
  • Windows App development in C# (.NET), XAML (WPF) and SQL
  • Use concepts such as: MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel), Clean Code, Unit Testing
  • Use INCA (Integrated Calibration and Application Tool) to link my software with the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) in cars to calibrate, acquire data, diagnose.
  • Work closely with the acoustic Engineers to Test and Integrate Software in the car
  • Use Scrum framework to create the software (acted as Scrum Master and Product Owner)
  • Facilitate bi-weekly meetings with Stakeholders to demo new functionalities and plan the next sprint
  • Lead an international team of 8-14 People
  • Act as a consultant and an advisor to stakeholders for new function implementations

HARDWARE & SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

@ Ferchau Engineering, Schrobenhausen, Germany 11/2013 — 12/2015
  • Design circuit boards with Eagle
  • Build prototypes (soldered all the components) and tested them until a finished product was created
  • Connect all previously created hardware together using different connectors (RS-232, CAN, RJ-45, 50-pin headers
  • Create test cases and implemented them
  • Develop a connection points with the hardware to program them HMI (Human Machine Interface) - C/C++
  • Create a Desktop Software to control the test environment (LabView)

Education

Skills

Project Management

Strategic planning & project schedulingProject delivery setup & governanceStakeholder and resource managementRisk management & mitigation (CCB/change control)Data managementConflict resolutionStatus reporting & escalation proceduresPerformance & quality managementCommunication & decision-making

Software Engineering

JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, Tailwind CSSReact, Next.js, Vue, AstroNode.js, ExpressNextAuth, StripeVite, ESLint/PrettierJest/Vitest, PlaywrightPostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB, PrismaVercel, GitHub Actions (CI/CD), Continuous integration and deliveryFlutter/Dart, C/C++, Python, LabVIEWC# (.NET), WPF (XAML), SQLMVVM, Unit Testing, Clean Code

AI & ML

Prompt engineering & system designRetrieval-augmented generation (RAG)Function/tool calling & structured outputsEvaluation & guardrails/safety policiesModels/APIs: OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure OpenAI, embeddings

Hardware Engineering

PCB design & prototyping (EAGLE, soldering, bring-up)HMI & test automation (LabVIEW)Embedded C/C++; interfaces: CAN, RS-232, RJ-45ECU integration with INCA (calibration/data/diagnostics)

Consulting

Agile and Scrum methodologies (Scrum Master/PO)Agile coaching & team mentoringProcess analysis & automation toolingRequirements definition & success criteria

Other

Operating systems: macOS, Windows, Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)Version control: Git, GitHub/GitLab flow, Conventional CommitsContainers: Docker, Docker ComposeDev tooling: npm, pnpm, nvm, HomebrewDocumentation: Markdown, MS Office, architecture diagrams (draw.io)Collaboration: Slack/Teams, Notion, MiroJira/Atlassian, Asana, Azure

Languages

Certificates

Volunteering

Contact

Send a message

or email me at stepan@manookian.de