Available for Opportunities

Joshua Hegstad

Computer Science @ Columbia University

Technical Expertise

Building with modern technologies across the full stack

Languages

PythonRSQLJavaC#CTypeScriptJavaScriptHTML/CSS

Frameworks/Libraries

ReactNode.jsExpressFlaskPandasNumPy

Developer Tools

GitDockerAWSUnityLens StudioUnix

Methodologies

Agile/ScrumCI/CDREST APIsUI/UX Design (Figma)

Featured Work

AR/AI

NASA SUITS Leadership

Led the SUITS club to develop an augmented reality astronaut guidance system. Scaled team to 20 engineers and successfully tested at Johnson Space Center.

UnityC#HoloLens 2
Full-Stack

Pure Poker Internship

Re-designed vital UI components and implemented revenue-generating features including private games and AI avatar generation.

TypeScriptReactAWS Lambda

Experience Timeline

Software Engineer/Product Manager

Research Assistant, Columbia University

Jun 2025 - Present
New York, NY

Independently developing AI tools using TypeScript, React, Next.js, and Vercel AI SDK.

TypeScriptReactNext.jsVercel AI SDK

Software Engineer

Pure Poker

May 2025 - Aug 2025
New York, NY

  • Re-designed dozens of vital UI components using TypeScript, React, and Next.js to improve user experience
  • Set up the fees system and deposit/withdrawal UIs, earning first revenue; implemented private games feature
TypeScriptReactNext.jsAWS Lambda

Software Engineer Intern

AMLAH - Real Estate Startup

Jan 2025 - Aug 2025
New York, NY

  • Designed the platform with React, Javascript, and MongoDB, shipping the website & user waitlist ahead of schedule
  • Managed the application on AWS (EC2, S3, Cognito, CloudWatch); fixed 10+ critical bugs and security vulnerabilities
ReactJavaScriptMongoDBAWS EC2

Software Engineer Contractor

Standard Partners Fund LP

Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
New York, NY

  • Created Investor Goggles, a web and AR platform providing market insights using LLMs and financial APIs
  • Deployed and tested platform in the field with hedge fund investors, gathering feedback to refine product features
LLMsFinancial APIsARWeb Development

Cybersecurity and Field Automation Intern

Hess Corporation

May 2024 - Aug 2024
Minot, ND

  • Developed secure LLM tools to automate cybersecurity analysis workflows within stringent data security constraints
  • Identified and documented 100+ vulnerabilities by analyzing cybersecurity policies, network traffic, and device data
PythonLLMsCybersecurityNetwork Analysis

Columbia University

School of Engineering

Sep 2023 - Dec 2026
New York, NY

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Statistics Minor

C.P. Davis Scholar • National Merit Scholar

AI/MLDatabasesData StructuresVR/ARUI/3DUI

Leadership

Co-Leader, Developer

Columbia Space Initiative - NASA SUITS Challenge

Jan 2024 - May 2025
New York, NY

Leading AR astronaut guidance system development

  • Scaled software team 2x (to 20 engineers) and directed development of augmented reality astronaut guidance system
  • Implemented Agile development workflows; secured funding by co-authoring successful NASA & NY Space Grant proposals
  • Successfully tested AR system at Johnson Space Center; collaborated with NASA engineers and Wichita State University
UnityC#TypeScriptHoloLens 2Snap Spectacles

Founder

Homebrew Computer Club

Feb 2025 - Present
New York, NY

Columbia's tech project hub

  • Co-founded Columbia's tech project hub, securing funding & growing membership to 20+ students
  • Built website under time pressure to launch on 50th Anniversary of Silicon Valley Homebrew Computer Club

Projects

Don't Fret! - AR Guitar Trainer

Evolved from web app to AR guitar trainer for Snap Spectacles

  • Initiated as web app (Flask, SQL, Python) with song database & dynamically generated ASCII jazz chord diagrams
  • Evolved into augmented reality guitar trainer for Snap Spectacles displaying live chord overlays & feedback
SQLFlaskPythonTypeScriptLens StudioSnap Spectacles

Hackathon Projects

Columbia, Cornell Hackathons

PythonFlaskFigmaOpenAIAnthropicCrewAISpotify APIs

Web Server from Scratch

Built custom web server in C

C