Computer Science Alumna Scores Dream Job Working With NHL Team

Erika Ambrioso ’20 is a software developer with Vinik Sports Group, parent company to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Karly Horn February 18, 2022

Erika Ambrioso ’20 at a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game in Amalie Arena, where her office is also housed.

Erika Ambrioso ’20 describes her first post-graduation job as a “dream”—and also, a little chilly.

In June 2021, Ambrioso accepted a software developer position with Vinik Sports Group (VSG), parent company to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a National Hockey League (NHL) team and 2021 Stanley Cup champions.

Her office is housed in Amalie Arena, where the Lightning play, and part of her job is to attend home games to gather statistics.

“I get to go to the games and count it as working,” Ambrioso says. “Working in sports was really something I never thought I was going to be able to do—but here I am!”

A computer science alumna, Ambrioso evaluates Lightning game, team and player statistics, running performance models, writing code and conducting various tasks that team management and coaches request.

Employing software developers to run numbers is common practice for professional sports teams, but hockey is just breaking into the practice, Ambrioso says.

“It’s very much on the ground level in hockey, so it’s very cool to be getting into it now, while there is so much change that can come,” she says. “There’s a lot of freedom to do things the way I want to.”

Ambrioso credits her Florida Tech education, particularly her senior design experience, with preparing her for the extensive interview process and, ultimately, the duties of the job itself.

In her senior design project, Ambrioso worked with Embraer to create a sensor system for tracking aircraft production using software that she uses daily in her job at VSG.

“Plus, senior design was basically, ‘Here’s a big project; figure out how to do it.’ And that’s exactly what I do in my job now—figure out the best way to get things done.”

The youngest and only female software developer on her team, Ambrioso also recognizes the value of teamwork and not being afraid to ask for help.

“My professors taught me that people want to help. We all have the same goal here, so I have no fear reaching out when I need to.”