About

I'm Robert Tomlin. I work with experienced engineering teams who are carrying too much complexity—teams that aren't broken, just overloaded. My role is to help them slow down just enough to see clearly, then modernize in a way that's sustainable and aligned with how the organization actually works.

Who I Work With

Most teams I work with aren't inexperienced—they're under sustained delivery pressure. Years of growth, organizational change, and competing priorities create systems that become difficult to reason about. Technical debt accumulates not from poor decisions, but from reasonable tradeoffs made under constraint.

I help engineering leaders and their teams step back, diagnose where complexity is actually coming from, and create a modernization path that doesn't require heroics or a full rewrite. The goal is systems that are easier to evolve and teams that can move with more confidence.

Background

I've been building software for over 30 years—starting as a developer, then architect, then engineering leader. I've owned two software companies, led distributed teams of 20+ engineers, and worked across industries from financial services to IoT to enterprise SaaS.

What I've learned is that the hardest problems aren't usually technical—they're about clarity. When systems grow organically under pressure, it becomes difficult to see what's essential and what's accumulated weight. My work is about creating that clarity, then helping teams act on it in a way that's deliberate and sustainable.

I work with Azure and .NET ecosystems, modern architectural patterns (microservices, modular monoliths, event-driven systems), and cloud infrastructure automation. But the real value isn't the technology—it's knowing which patterns fit which problems, and how to implement them without disrupting what's already working.

How I Work

Assessment First

I start by understanding where complexity is coming from—not just technical debt, but organizational patterns, delivery pressure, and accumulated decisions. This creates a shared understanding of what needs to change and why.

Pragmatic Modernization

I help teams modernize incrementally—no big-bang rewrites, no heroic efforts. The path forward should be clear, achievable, and aligned with how your organization actually operates.

Leadership & Execution

I can work as a fractional technical leader, hands-on architect, or strategic advisor—whatever fits your needs. I've led distributed teams, managed engineering managers, and delivered everything from greenfield SaaS platforms to complex modernization projects.

Experience

Engineering Leadership

Recent Years

Leading distributed engineering teams on complex modernization projects—IoT edge computing, greenfield SaaS platforms, and enterprise system transformations. Managing engineering managers, architects, and teams across multiple time zones.

Software Company Owner

1991 - 2021

Founded and operated two successful software companies. Delivered custom solutions across industries—from startups finding product-market fit to established enterprises modernizing legacy systems. Learned what works (and what doesn't) by living with the consequences.

About NuSoftVA

NuSoftVA is a division of Nilmot Solutions LLC, based in Virginia Beach. I work with organizations across the US, primarily remote with occasional on-site engagements. If you're an engineering leader dealing with systems that have become difficult to reason about, let's talk.

Let's Talk

If this resonates with where your team is, reach out. We'll figure out if there's a fit.

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