Skills & Experience

Posted on 21st November 2018 - Takes 4 minutes to read

I am a passionate full-stack developer with over 13 years of industry experience. My main focus is LAMP web application development using backend frameworks, such as Laravel, but am able to adapt to a variety of tasks and languages, as needed. I am also knowledgeable in Linux desktop and server administration, including the installation and configuration of version control, automated deployment and web server software. I have experience working independently and as part of a team in an agile software development environment, in many cases leading sprints and related work units.

In my spare time I enjoy developing and contributing to open source projects, video game development and experimenting with technology. I’m also interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning and home automation.

Key Skills

Programming

  • PHP 5.6 – 7.3, including Laravel 4.5 – 7.0, Slim PHP and other backend frameworks
  • MySQL, including database schema design
  • HTML, CSS, including Bootstrap 3 & 4
  • JavaScript, including jQuery, Node, Vue & React
  • Mobile app development, using React Native, Cordova / Phone Gap
  • WordPress plugin and Drupal module development
  • Automated testing, including unit and browser tests using PHPUnit and Laravel Dusk
  • Other programming skills: Java, Python, Lua, C#, Visual Basic, C++

Systems

  • Linux server setup & administration, both production and development systems
  • LAMP stack (Apache, Litespeed, Nginx), dedicated database servers (MySQL) and AWS
  • Web Host Manager (WHM), cPanel usage
  • Jenkins, GitLab, Jira & other server software installation, configuration, and maintenance
  • Basic Windows server administration
  • Experience with bare metal and virtual servers, including VMware ESXi hypervisor software
  • IT support experience
  • Client hosting and email account support, configuration and troubleshooting
  • Troubleshooting experience of broad connectivity issues (firewalls, DNS etc.) on Windows, Mac & Linux systems and mobile devices
  • Generic end-user systems support and training experience
  • Significant Linux desktop experience, including Ubuntu, Debian and others

Other

  • Collaborative open source software development experience
  • Git and Subversion (SVN) version control software
  • Integration of third party web services, payment gateways and other APIs
  • Development of bespoke automation software to eliminate time consuming manual processes

Work Experience

Lead Developer (2019 - Present)

Langley Foxall

Responsibilities

  • Making key technical and implementation decisions
  • Scoping and determining project requirements
  • Performing code reviews
  • Handling continuous integration setup, deployments and server configuration
  • Tutoring other developers and providing goal orientated growth plans
  • Functionality demonstration meetings and other client and third-party vendor communications
  • Development and maintenance of enterprise web applications and APIs and business focused mobile applications
  • Providing support for new and existing projects

Senior Software Developer (2018 - 2019)

Langley Foxall

Responsibilities

  • Development and maintenance of enterprise web applications and APIs and business focused mobile applications
  • Providing support for new and existing projects

Senior Application Developer (2007 – 2018)

Rapid Web

Responsibilities

  • Dynamic website and web application development for both internal and client focused projects using various client-side and server-side programming languages
  • Development of standalone applications (primarily using Java) for various purposes, including repetitive task automation, one-time or scheduled database migrations, web application to hardware communications and third-party API integrations
  • Database schema design, implementation and administration
  • Linux server administration - server primarily utilise the LAMP stack on top of CentOS or Ubuntu, administrated via remote SSH or WHM/cPanel control panel

Secondary responsibilities

  • Installation and continued support/configuration of development and production Linux servers - both bare metal and virtual:
    • Web servers, primarily LAMP stack (Apache, LiteSpeed)
    • Dedicated database servers (MySQL)
  • Configuration of servers and general use systems on a virtualisation platform
  • Support of client hosting and email accounts including phone and remote sessions to assist users with access and any required configuration
  • Basic management and troubleshooting of Windows servers and Exchange

Achievements

  • Creation/support of bespoke application – e-commerce, booking systems, CRMs, CMSs, stock management, mobile applications and more
  • Integration of many 3rd party APIs, including payment gateways (Stripe, SagePay, WorldPay, HSBC ePayments, Heidelpay, BitPay) and courier services (FedEx, Royal Mail)

Supervisor (August 2013 – July 2014)

Rapid Web

A one year supervisory role of an employee assisting them with:

  • Deadline and time management
  • Improvement of programming and database management skills
  • Increasing familiarity with internally used systems, procedures and technologies

Education

BSc. Computer Science, 2.1

Staffordshire University, 2005 – 2008

skills experience