John Dunning
Lead Software Engineer / Project Manager
Security Clearance: SC (Active)
Engineering secure, practical AI systems that move from research to deployment.
Research-focused software engineering leader with a track record of delivering advanced AI, automation, and cloud platforms in high-assurance environments. Known for rescuing complex projects and translating emerging technology into reliable, stakeholder-ready solutions.
Primary Stack:
Skills and Experience
Management, innovation, business and technical skills and experience developed supporting customers and projects.
Recent AI & Emerging Tech
Led AI research initiatives focused on secure, offline LLM deployment and explainable decision-making layers for mission-critical workflows. Provided training and presentations to tech leads and key staff.
- Local LLM fine-tuning, orchestration and hybrid local/cloud deployment architectures
- Multi-agent systems design (development agents + runtime agents) with guardrails and compliance layers
- LangChain / LangChain4j integration with Drools (LLM + rules-based decision augmentation)
- Advanced RAG architectures including GraphRAG, hierarchical document indexing and query synthesis
- Vector database design, local embeddings, and token-efficient retrieval optimisation
- LLM swarm architectures with dynamic model selection per task
- Prompt engineering, structured output control and agent workflow design
- AI governance, safety controls and executive-level ethical AI briefings
- Built controlled-autonomy AI systems integrating LangChain/LangChain4j with Drools to enforce deterministic rule validation, compliance constraints, and explainable decision workflows over LLM reasoning
- Cross-language AI systems development (Java, Python, Go, Rust)
- Experience with OpenAI (Codex), Anthropic (Claude), Google AI Studio & Antigravity tooling
Key Skills
RAG, embeddings, PyTorch, transformer models, vector databases, agentic workflows, prompt engineering, MLOps, model evaluation, data pipelines
Drools, JRules, BPMN2, DRL, decision tables, KIE Server, forward chaining, backward chaining, knowledge bases, agenda optimisation, fact modelling, inheritance, salience, complex event processing (CEP), Neuro-symbolic AI
Spring Boot 3, Drools, Maven, microservices, Kafka
AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, SAM, Docker, CI/CD, CloudFlare
React, React Native, Redux, JavaScript
REST APIs, event-driven systems, distributed pipelines
R&D delivery, mentoring, stakeholder engagement
Selected Experience
Hands-on leadership across defence, government, and enterprise environments.
Northrop Grumman UK Ltd · Mission Systems
Lead Software Engineer / Project Manager · 2023 – Present
Leading R&D initiatives combining AI, cyber, and cloud technologies. Directed secure DevSecOps delivery, mentored engineers, and delivered IRAD projects showcased to the Deputy Defence Minister.
Skills421 Training & Consultancy
Full Stack Developer · Sep 2021 – Mar 2023
Built handheld and office applications with React Native, React, and Redux. Delivered Spring Boot, Kafka, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch backends for logistics clients.
Corporate & Private Training
Technical Trainer · Aug 2019 – Sep 2021
Developed and delivered Java, JavaScript, and Python courses. Produced AWS and AI training content, and built client applications with React and Redux.
Level Global / Swinton Insurance / Enterprise Architects
Drools Architect · 2016 – 2019
Designed rules-driven systems, automated migrations to Drools-based frameworks, and delivered tooling across insurance, government, and enterprise engagements.
Government & Defence Consulting
Consultant · 2014 and earlier
Delivered secure software systems for MOD, HMRC, and RAF programs. Led requirements workshops, developed billing and order handling platforms, and supported OS security work.
Clients & Sectors
Defence, government, insurance, logistics, and enterprise software delivery.
Feedback
Customer Feedback
What clients and teammates say about working together.
"John worked on the same team as me at MBNA. Working with John has been enjoyable and I found John to be knowledgeable, professional and someone who both works well to deliver under high pressure and adapts quickly to changing requirements. I would be more then happy to work with John in the future."
"I attended one of the T++ weekend courses in Java technologies. Absolutely excellent! Covered all the topics needed prior to the certification tests and as I was contracting at the time, it didn't eat into my company's revenue stream to attend. John was a knowledgeable and interesting presenter, able to involve all the attendees and allowed everyone to get the utmost from the experience."
"John provided \"Java Workshop\", \"Java Certified\" and \"Java and XML\" onsite training courses. John has an excellent teaching style, his courses are well thought out, and everyone that took the courses was extremely satisfied. I highly recommend John."
"I used T++ when I started out wanting to train in Java and gain accreditation. Their courses provided me a good basis from which to go onto using Java and J2EE/JSP/Servlets as part of web development work when I left contracting 4 years later to do a permanent position. Their courses provided in depth cover of the language with easy steps which enabled a non OO programmer to quickly learn!"
"I was very pleased with the quality of the course, the level of knowledge demonstrated and the willingness to follow through with candidates queries. We were able to apply the course as time allowed to our own problems and projects."
"John provided a two-day Java training workshop, on a one-to-one basis. I was very happy with the format, content and delivery. Especially pleasing was the way that John extended the content to match the pace we were able to set. The course provided an invaluable foundation for my Java skills - I went on to attain Sun Java accreditation."
"I was very satisfied with having John on my team, especially because of his positive attitude, creativity, eagerness to learn, dedication and professionalism."
"John has very strong Java knowledge and delivered what was required from him to a high quality standard. Further John exceeded expectations in providing mentoring and help to less experienced developers."
"John has an extensive knowledge of many programming languages. This encompasses the range of \"C\" languages and more especially Java. Being a quick learner if John found a problem he would apply himself to researching an answer and I have never known him beaten. One other attribute is the speed at which John can create a program which is functional and efficient."
"John and I worked on a project for 6 months. He's very dedicated, and works well under pressure."
"Even though John joined the project at a difficult point, he showed great expertise and contributed with a raft of innovative ideas to help the team. He was a very popular and valued member of the team."