Hello, I'm Todd Zhang

I’m a Principal Software Engineer at Stryker AI, with over a decade of research and engineering experience in real-time computer graphics, machine learning, and computer vision. In my work, I define and implement the architecture of efficient, easy-to-use graphics libraries that run directly on devices used in surgical and clinical diagnostics.

My Journey

My journey in technology has been driven by passion and curiosity. It began as a Ph.D. student in New York, where I explored the fascinating intersection of computer graphics and computer vision, specializing in human emotion analysis. In 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at DreamWorks Animation, bringing research to life in the world of animated storytelling. After earning my Ph.D., I embraced the startup world, pioneering computer graphics applications on mobile systems. Since 2017, I've been at Amazon, where I continue to push boundaries in AR solutions. Each step of this journey reflects my unwavering dedication to technology and innovation—and I'm excited about what comes next. In 2026, I switched to explore to contribute my knowledge to surgical domains in Stryker AI.

Key Experiences

Principle Engineer - Stryker AI (2026-present)

Create proof of concept for a cross-platform rendering interface and shader for Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) operation
Define Interfaces for internal graphics library

Senior Engineer - Amazon (2017-2026)

Led innovative 3D solutions that drive billions in revenue improvement annually
Developed the rendering system for Amazon's mobile app, enabling customers to visualize products in their own environment
Designed and developed virtual try-on features for eyewear and makeup
Built robust rendering infrastructure to accelerate content generation, including rendering farms and automated 3D asset creation

Software Engineer - Mage Inc./Apollo Inc. (2015-2017)

Contributed to native rendering engine development for iOS/Android using OpenGL
Developed AR shopping features for e-commerce platforms, boosting revenue by 50%
Designed and deployed scalable asset creation workflows for 3D content

Ph.D. in Spontaneous Facial Expression Analysis - SUNY-Binghamton (2010-2015)

Led the setup and capture of the world's first 4D spontaneous expression dataset
Conducted cutting-edge research and published findings in top-tier conferences

Philosophy & Approach

I believe that great technology is built by great teams. My approach to leadership focuses on:

Empowering People: Creating environments where engineers can do their best work
Technical Excellence: Maintaining high standards while moving fast
Strategic Thinking: Aligning technical decisions with business objectives
Continuous Learning: Staying current with emerging technologies and practices

Beyond Technology

When I'm not immersed in code or strategy sessions, you'll find me:

Mentoring the next generation of engineers
Reading books to learn from others experiences
Writing about technology exploarations to help me/others to build thing easily
Exploring new technologies and their potential applications in my daily life

I'm passionate about realistic image creation, human computer interaction. I do believe that , and I'm always excited to connect with fellow technologists, entrepreneurs, and innovators who share this passion.

Let's Connect