Cole Propach

Computer Science & Engineering | Santa Clara University

Resume

Education

Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA   Graduated June 2025

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering   GPA: 3.81

Minor in Music (Harmonica, Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Ukulele)

Professional Experience

Blossom Hill Crafts Intern, Pottery Studio

June 2024 - September 2024, San Jose, CA

  • Designed a website to store and easily look up information for over 200 members using PHP: butsimple.com/bhc/bhc.html
  • Used Python and AppleScript to automate data entry into spreadsheets and calculate costs

House Fish Balloon Intern, Board Game Company

July 2023 - August 2023, San Jose, CA

  • Developed a C++ program to calculate and solve game states for their game Counting Chickens
  • Created a full-stack JavaScript server and user interface to host the calculator

FRT Metrology Intern, Division of FormFactor Inc.

June 2020 - August 2020, San Jose, CA

  • Regularly operated precision measurement machines to accurately measure up to 50 objects per day
  • Created HTML-based PDF templates for machine outputs that are still in rotation today

Computer Science Projects

Oreblood Peak, Independent Game

July 2025 - Present

  • Developing a dungeon-crawler game without an engine using C++ and SDL2 to compile across multiple platforms
  • Managing all aspects of design, including artwork, architectural design, and performance optimizations

Cole’s Cellular Automaton, Independent Project

November 2025 - Present

  • Created a cellular automaton similar to Conway’s Game of Life using C++ and compiled to WebAssembly
  • Directed all phases of development, encompassing system architecture and performance tuning
  • Analyzed emergent behaviors and documented preset configurations: colepropach.com/cca

Cephalopod Software Co-Founder, Independent Startup Company

January 2023 - Present

  • Co-founded an independent video game studio creating adventure games in Unity using C#
  • Drove major decision-making on game mechanics, storyline direction, and project management strategies

Natural Language Parser, SCU Senior Design Project

September 2024 - June 2025

  • Implemented a natural language parser in Python to translate English text into a fictional language
  • Used spaCy and WordNet with NLTK to analyze words, find synonyms, and identify hypernyms

Snake Game Recreation, Independent Project

January 2025 - February 2025

  • Recreated the classic Snake game in C++ with WinAPI, building a custom engine for rendering, input, and logic
  • Managed all aspects of development, including architecture design and performance optimization

Technical Skills

C/C++, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, PHP, Java, Python, C#, Verilog

Relevant Coursework

Compilers, Programming Languages, Computer Networks, Embedded Systems, Advanced Logic Design, Data Structures and Algorithms, Operating Systems, Calculus IV, Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations

Academic Activities and Leadership

Eagle Scout Rank, Boy Scouts of America

May 2021

  • Designed and led a team of 15 scouts for over 100 hours to construct and install 3 tree planter boxes
  • Planted fruit trees at City Team San Jose’s House of Grace, a temporary home for homeless mothers