Talk with a Rōnin: Drawing Outside the Lines With Senior Software Developer Wayne Cater

One of my favorite things about Rōnin: it was founded by developers, and developers still run it. These folks aren’t removed from the work. They still code. They still architect solutions. They are actively pushing themselves and the technology to solve future problems. – Wayne Cater

At Rōnin Consulting, we believe our strength lies in our people, from the developers, creatives, and thinkers who bring their unique stories, perspectives, and talents to every project. In this month’s Talk to a Rōnin, I connected with Wayne Cater, a Senior Software Developer who’s been with Rōnin for nearly two years. With decades of experience in tech, a background in creative production, and a sense of humor that brings energy to any team, Wayne shares what drew him to Rōnin and why he’s still here.

Meet Wayne Cater

Julie: What’s your name, your position, and how long have you been at Rōnin?

Wayne: I’m Wayne Cater, a Senior Software Developer. I joined Rōnin in May of 2023, so I’m coming up on two years. Wow, I can’t believe it’s already been two years.

Finding His Way to Rōnin

Julie: How did you first hear about Rōnin?

Wayne: I worked alongside a group of Rōnins at a previous healthcare company. There were probably a dozen or more of them in and out at any time. While I wasn’t a Rōnin yet, I tried to keep things fun at the time. I’d show up with my bad hair and goofy drawings and sketch people on the team to lighten things up. We were deep in Angular and .NET, and I did my best, stayed consistent, and did my work. I must have earned a little respect because when they were looking to hire a full-time Rōnin, they reached out to me, and I accepted. 

Life as a Rōnin

Julie: What felt different about joining Rōnin?

Wayne: I already knew some of the people. I trusted them I respected them. That caring for one another part led me here. It also keeps me here. I have heard the term open door policy over the years, but I seldom saw that it was more than HR speak. I see that differently at Rōnin.

The Work and the Challenge

Julie: What kind of projects are you working on now?

Wayne: Before joining Rōnin, I had worked in the fintech space, and that’s where I am now: working on fraud-related technology. It’s hard. It moves fast. I always describe it like a Lazy Susan spinning out of control—you’re trying to grab the mayonnaise, and it keeps whipping past.

You don’t get comfy, but I’m learning all the time. I started my career writing C code, and I’ve worked in more than nine languages since then. If you’re not learning in this field, you’re either out of the game or falling behind. That’s why I stick with it—it’s always changing.

Thoughts on AI & Staying Current 

Julie: What’s your take on Rōnin’s push into AI?

Wayne: I have to be honest—I’m a little old school. But I’ve got respect for what we’re doing, and I use tools like CoPilot because our leadership team has encouraged us. I recently bought a .NET and Python book on generative AI to understand it better. So, I’m keeping up, even if I grumble a little. You can teach old dogs new tricks; it just takes a little longer!

Creativity Beyond Code

Julie: You’re also a musician and artist—how does that fit into your life now?

Wayne: Before returning to work full-time in tech, I worked in the music industry. I did creative work in the Nashville Area, but one day, I realized it wasn’t my forever job, so I needed to leave it behind. But that creative side is still a huge part of who I am. I have a home studio. I still write and record. I post some stuff to YouTube and have new music coming out soon. It’s not something you can hang up.