There is always more beneath the surface, but a progression of surfaces is sometimes all we have. Through reasoning and the intuition of experience I can understand the movements of complex systems from observing and manipulationg their surface manifestations. There are many "interfaces" between ourselves and software systems, not all obvious. I consider interfaces all the way from the user down to the bare metal in order to ensure a system works towards a purpose rather than a problem.
Software is for people in the end. My background in human computer interaction grounds me in the understanding that the needs of users and stakeholders are what drives development in a commercial enterprise. A company ceases to exist when it ceases to deliver, and I make sure my contributions keep a team and company delivering.
The number one thing I want from any job is the people and the team. I have learned from many people in the course of my career and I want to continue working with people who will challenge me to grow while supporting me as a team member, just as I do the same in kind.
Lasting value requires lasting solutions. I build systems and I build for quality. Quality includes making it to market in time to be useful, valuable, and profitable. The long term ability of a company to pivot, innovate, and simply beat the competition is built on a foundation of today's choices. I make choices that make today's development a solid foundation for the future.