Eric Soto

Themed Entertainment & Technology Leader

Orlando, Florida USA

561.318.1610

Welcome to my world! I'm Eric Soto, a Partner and Senior Vice-President for Themed Entertainment at Gigantic Playground, nestled in the heart of Orlando, Florida's vibrant themed entertainment scene. My journey in software engineering and technology leadership spans over three decades, specializing in app development for, creating robust interactive theme park systems, developing backend systems and APIs, and deploying scalable cloud solutions on AWS and Azure.

At Gigantic Playground, I have the privilege of leading a team of exceptionally talented engineers and creatives. Together, we push the boundaries of imagination and innovation, creating interactive experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages, turning dreams into reality, and engineering moments that endure. Our work blends hardware and software seamlessly, resulting in magical and immersive experiences for high-profile clients such as Universal Studios Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney Imagineering, and GoPro.

Agile methodologies are at the core of my professional ethos. With over a decade of experience as a certified Scrum Master, I champion the power of iterative software delivery, consistently driving positive outcomes for the teams I've led and the projects we've undertaken. My technical proficiency is broad and deep, with a particular affinity for the Apple macOS and Linux ecosystems. I'm an adept user and advocate for macOS, Ubuntu, and various Linux distributions, seamlessly navigating the complexities of Azure and AWS.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I have a deep passion for photography, aviation, and drones. For 35 years, I've been capturing the world's beauty through my camera, utilizing Lightroom for my workflow. My love for aviation and unmanned aircraft systems (drones) complements my technical expertise, allowing me to explore new heights and perspectives.

Join me on this journey as we explore the intersection of technology, creativity, and innovation. Welcome to my world of endless possibilities and boundless imagination.

Welcome!

Welcome to my professional page! I'm Eric Soto, a seasoned Themed Entertainment and Technology Leader from sunny Orlando, Florida. I've been in the tech industry for over 30 years, focusing on app development, crafting robust backend systems and APIs, and deploying scalable cloud solutions on AWS and Azure.

I'm not confined to a desk in Florida, though. Over the past two decades, I've mastered the art of remote work, collaborating on projects across the United States. I started working remotely in 2001 when the concept was novel.

One of my key strengths lies in Agile methodologies. I'm a certified Scrum Master, and I've been championing Agile practices for over a decade. I firmly believe in the power of iterative software delivery, which has consistently yielded positive results for the teams I've led.

When I'm not immersed in the project realm, you'll often find me diving into the Apple macOS ecosystem. In 2012, I switched from Windows, and since then, I've been helping fellow developers and clients transition to macOS and Linux. These days, I'm equally at home on macOS, Ubuntu, and various Linux distributions, frequently navigating the vast landscapes of Azure and AWS.

I am currently SVP of Themed Entertainment and Technology at Gigantic Playground, an exhilarating experience. There, I lead a talented team in creating magical and immersive experiences, blending hardware and software for audiences of all ages. Some big names I've enjoyed working with include Universal Studios Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney Imagineering, and GoPro.

Beyond the professional realm, my passions extend to technology, photography, aviation, and unmanned aircraft systems (drones). For 35 years, I've been capturing the world's beauty through my camera, utilizing Lightroom for my workflow. Whether it's full-lifecycle system development, App team management, or backend systems and APIs, I bring a wealth of expertise.

My tech stack is as diverse as my experience, featuring, among many others, AWS, Azure, Terraform, Ansible, Swift, NodeJS, JavaScript, Python, Linux, Nginx, RabbitMQ, MongoDB, Docker, Bash, and, of course, macOS.

To learn more about my work, connect with me on LinkedIn, explore my open-source projects, or check out my photography page. I'm here to share my journey and insights into the world of technology, and I'm excited to connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for quality and innovation.

Software Engineer, Technology Leader, Pilot, Photographer, Dad, Husband, PITA.

Orlando, Florida