Tom Scanlan

Engineer & Product Leader

About Me

Hi, I'm an engineer with a love for creating beautiful, functional, and user-friendly applications. I have an extensive background in software development and have worked on a variety of projects ranging from mobile apps, web applications, data science, gaming, and more.

Craic Studio

Special projects, built with speed and craft.

Craic Studio is where I take on distinctive product work that blends modern engineering, fast execution, and thoughtful design.

Modern product buildsFast executionDistinctive client work

Featured Projects

A curated set of product, platform, and mobile builds. Browse horizontally to move through the work without adding more page height.

Project showcase

The Playbook

The Playbook helps student athletes and families navigate the recruiting journey with structured guidance, performance benchmarks, weekly check-ins, college profiles, and a coach dashboard that keeps development visible over time.

01 / 11

Featured build

The Playbook

View details

A practical guide for student athletes and families navigating the new era of college recruiting.

React NativeMobile ProductRecruitingCoaching

Featured build

Sandbox

View details

A guided platform for healthier one-on-one political conversations.

Consumer AppCivic TechMobile ProductConversation Design

Featured build

InCommon

View details

A Native mobile app for social networking and community building for companies.

React NativeTypeScriptNode.js

Featured build

Cooler

View details

A third space for work. It's not a meeting, it's Cooler.

Next.jsTypeScriptWebSockets

Featured build

The Commons

View details

A platform for bringing people together at work.

Next.jsTypeScriptPostgreSQL

Featured build

Bench Fi

View details

An app for comparing your finances.

React NativeTypeScriptNode.jsOpenAI API

Featured build

Young Irish

View details

A community for the Young Irish Fellowship of Chicago.

React NativeTypeScriptNode.jsPostgreSQL

Featured build

850 DMG

View details

A real estate agent's ultimate tool.

React NativeNode.jsTypeScriptData Science

Featured build

Dr. Right

View details

A healthcare provider matching platform.

ReactTypeScriptHealthcare

Featured build

Stratasphere

View details

A comprehensive healthcare analytics and benchmarking platform.

ReactPython.NET CoreData Visualization

Featured build

AR/VR/3D Projects

View details

Collection of augmented reality, virtual reality, and 3D development projects.

PlayCanvasThree.jsWeb AR/VR3D Modeling

Swipe on touch devices, use the arrow controls, or tap a slide to open the full project gallery.

Work Experience

A compressed timeline of leadership, product, and engineering roles. Scroll across the path to move through the journey.

Career path

Scroll horizontally

July 2025 - Present

RLDatix

Director of Engineering: AI & Analytics

Head of Engineering for the new AI & Analytics Innovation Lab.

Chicago, IL & London, UK

November 2022 - May 2025

InCommon

Head of Product and Engineering

Lead an engineering team in building multiple applications in Next.js and React Native. Made product decisions on design, marketing, and development. Managed client relationships. Sold software. Planned the roadmap and successfully completed SOC 2 Type I audit.

Chicago, IL

September 2021 - November 2022

850 DMG

Head of Engineering

Hired and built a team to develop a new mobile platform for a seed funded stealth startup. Built an advanced statistical real estate platform for realtors using React Native and Node.js. The product was acquired and relaunched at a major real estate technology company.

Chicago, IL

April 2021 - November 2022

Rally Health / Optum

Senior Software Engineer

Worked on key applications in React. Helped convert older UI written in Angular to React. Implemented features and fixed bugs on the UHC React Native Mobile app. Worked in JavaScript and TypeScript. Lead developer on Dr. Right project. Architected and lead Jr engineers to build the new face of the Rally Health Application. Rewrote existing Angular code to modern React TypeScript.

Chicago, IL

January 2020 - April 2021

Strata Decision

Data Science Developer

Lead developer of StrataSphereTM Benchmarking. Responsible for building the new suite of applications for the data science division of the company including KPI, Labor, Cost, and Overhead applications. Data visualization specialist using Tableau to generate COVID data and hospital volume trackers. Transpiled a calculation engine for Benchmarking from Python to .NET Core. Conducted training sessions for other developers from React to Python.

Chicago, IL

September 2018 - January 2020

Strata Decision

UI Developer

Created and maintained the entire company React component library. Consulted senior and lead developers on front end technology from core javascript to React Native.

Chicago, IL

November 2017 - August 2018

TinkRworks

Developer and Course Maker

Developed cutting edge web and mobile applications for our supporting educational technology projects. Developer on a number of projects including an online python programming system using React/Native.

Hinsdale, IL

August 2015 - June 2017

Mount Carmel HS

Computer Science and Digital Media Arts Teacher

Taught new Computer Science and Digital Media classes to juniors and seniors. Revolutionized tech classes. Moderated STEM and Coding clubs.

Chicago, IL

The Story Behind the Code

A glimpse into who I really am.

Gridiron Memories

My football journey took me from the fields of Mount Carmel to playing at Northern Illinois University. Those years taught me invaluable lessons about discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that continue to shape my approach to challenges.

The camaraderie of a team working toward a common goal, the dedication required for daily practice, and the resilience needed to overcome setbacks, these experiences have become foundational to my work ethic.

Tata the Elf

Every Christmas, I transform into one of Santa's helpers, donning a full elf costume to bring joy to children. Dressing up and giving my cousins gifts is a tradition I look forward to every year.

This tradition has become an important part of my life. Check out this AI generated music video I made for the character.

YIFC

I am on the board of the Young Irish Fellowship Club, a non-profit organization inviting all to explore the Irish culture, meet new friends in the community, and help support Chicagoland charities.

I was elected VP of PR and later moved into VP of Sponsorship on the executive board. If you see our happenings, please join us!

Visit YIFC

Virtual Battlegrounds

When I'm not coding or working on projects, I'm probably playing Halo. I am a huge fan of the series and have been playing since 2003.

Gaming has always been important to me. It's a great way to connect and relax with friends.

Nerd Fest 2012

There She Goes

It started the way most great relationships do: matching on Hinge. Our first date was fried pickles and Moscow mules. I was there because her profile said she was an electrical engineer and I thought that was so cool. She was there because she thought I was hot. She had no idea what I did for work.

What Anna eventually discovered is that we are both engineers. She is an electrical engineer, and I build software. Two people who are brilliant, who love solving hard problems, and who happen to be attractive, athletic nerds. I love her deeply. She is endlessly supportive of everything I pursue, and she makes all the long hours and hard work feel worthwhile. I cannot wait to marry her.

I am so grateful to have met her. My fiancée Anna (Banana) ♥