What I do
RAG & AI system architecture
End-to-end design of retrieval-augmented generation systems: ingest pipelines, vector stores, multi-phase context assembly, LLM integration. Built in production, not as a proof of concept.
Fractional technical leadership
VP- or CTO-level ownership of your AI or software roadmap on a retainer basis — the thinking and accountability of a senior exec without the full-time headcount.
Architecture review & AI readiness
A structured assessment of your current system and a clear path toward AI integration — where it creates value, what it will take, and what to avoid.
Recent work
BluStream Inc. · VP Software Development, 2021–2026
Polly — Production RAG System
Built from scratch in Java, without a framework, as sole architect and developer. Multi-source ingest handling web crawl, uploaded documents, and text snippets — all converted to vector embeddings for semantic retrieval. Designed a multi-phase context assembly architecture where Phase 1 processors run in parallel gathering contextual signals, with subsequent phases dynamically constructed based on results — enabling responses that single-pass RAG cannot achieve. Automated output guards, including PII checks, run on every response, with pre-launch testing and ongoing drift monitoring. Live with customers.
Background
2026 – present
Founder & Principal Consultant
DEK Consulting Inc. · AI systems and fractional technical leadership
2021 – 2026
VP, Software Development
BluStream Inc. · Owned the technology function of a B2B SaaS company; production RAG platform
2020 – 2021
Director, Software Development
Kinduct · Health and performance data platform serving 550+ professional sports organizations
2015 – 2020
Director, Consulting / Solution Architect
CGI · Regulatory reporting and AML for a major Canadian bank’s capital markets unit; offender-tracking systems
2013 – 2015
Co-Founder & CEO
Fitify Technologies · International SaaS platform across four countries
2006 – 2013
Chief Technology Officer
immediaC Worldwide Inc.
2000 – 2006
Product Architect
VelQuest Corporation & Medusa Medical Technologies · FDA 21 CFR Part 11
Get in touch
A 30-minute conversation is the right starting point — no pitch, no deck. You describe the problem; I'll tell you honestly whether I can help and what that looks like.
Email
damien.steiger@gmail.com
Phone
(902) 452-9754