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Hi šŸ‘‹ My name is Alex and I'm A Developer

šŸ§ Currently focusing on Typescript, Rust and AWS.
Currently focusing on TypeScript and AWS, I have always had a deep interest in computing, which over time has grown into a genuine passion. For me, the core of any project lies in solving meaningful problems, and that philosophy drives the work I undertake.
I would describe myself as curious, open to new ideas, and eager to learn. When Iā€™m not at work building or fixing something, youā€™ll often find me reading about how to create better software or working on personal projects to further develop my skills.
Iā€™ve been fortunate to gain experience across every level of application development and delivery throughout my career. This exposure has given me what I consider to be an edge over must over candidates, as I realised early on that programming is just one piece of a projectā€™s puzzle. Good communication and coordination are key to transforming a good project into something truly great.

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Experience

Photobox

Senior Engineering Manager (Core platform)

022022 - Present

  • Led the research, evaluation, and adoption of a new SaaS eCommerce platform, Commercetools.
  • Collaborated with product teams and senior leadership to establish long-term platform goals aligned with broader organisational objectives.
  • Championed the implementation of advanced monitoring solutions using Dynatrace to enhance system performance and reliability.
  • Initiated and organised cross-team hackathons to foster innovation and collaboration.
  • Advocated for and drove the full adoption of serverless technologies, specifically AWS Lambda, across the organisation.
  • Partnered with senior leadership to define team structures and improve workflows for better efficiency and alignment.

Photobox

Engineering Manager

042019 - 022022

When I joined Photobox I was tasked with leading a team dedicated to customer feature development and experiment rollouts, However I quickly transitioned the team into a core platform team after identifying a number of more critical issues with the platform that would provide more value to both end customers and all other teams woking on the platform.
  • Lead the migration of the companies new React based web app
  • Regular 1-2-1 session with team members
  • Javascript, Typescript
  • Worked with product to plan quarterly and yearly OKR's
  • Worked with junior engineers to define paths of progression and yearly goals
  • Defined and implemented new integration of core orchestration service (Graphql) to new Typescript service
  • Owned migration of the new company wide orchestration service (Graphql) across all clients (web and app)
  • Assisted with the adoption of RFC's for new feature rollouts
  • Pushed for full adoption of Serverless technologies (AWS Lamdba)
  • Pushed for full adoption of Typescript across all backend applications
  • Worked with all Javascript tech teams to adopt common design patterns and ways of working
  • Implemented efficient working practises with non technical teams (trading, marketing) leading to scalable processes
  • Created company wide developer guild to effectively collate know issues and work towards better cross team collaboration
  • Implemented cross team secondments to better share knowledge

Kingfisher Digital

Lead developer / Full Stack Developer

082017 - 042019

Over my two year tenure I was 1 of 5 lead developerā€™s within Kingfisher Digitalā€™s digital Hub, managing up to 50 developerā€™s across a shared hierarchy.
The projects were varied; my primary focus was expanding the React/Typescript & Express/Typescript oriented stackā€™s we had deployed across our various front and backend estates. The most interesting project was when my team was tasked with implementing Augmented reality using ARKIT within the core B&Q IOS app.
I was also been involved in all levels of conversation across the digital platform; Solution design, Systems architecture, Staffing, Tooling, Vendor sign offs & System operationā€™s.
  • Implemented AR enable products within the IOS application
  • Created internal model management system for aforementioned AR enabled products
  • Spearheaded adoption of new React front end from Angular 2
  • Created a number of Typescript API's and React apps.
  • Worked alongside external 3rd parties (Accenture, Equal experts) to ensure consistency across teams.
  • Javascript, Typescript, Swift

SecureData Europe

Full Stack Software Engineer

062013 - 082017

This was a broad role, Initially the team was small with only three members; but over the course of 4 years it expanded to seven developers. My team was focused on software to secure customerā€™s estates along side internal system. Unofficially I undertook a hybrid development & Devops role.
For the first year in the role I was the lead for our entire technology stack and allocation of team projects before a dedicated development manage was brought it to assist with the teamā€™s continued expansion

Gaming Media Group

Web developer

112012 - 062013

During my tenure at Gaming media group I was tasked with integrating with their third party platform provider. This was mainly a frontend role but I was also tasked with building and maintaining a number of PHP services and also implemented a custom podcast CMS which was used to create feeds that could be consumed by various 3rd party podcast platforms.