In my role at Twinkl as a Senior Software Engineer, I work on developing innovative web applications using ReactJS, Redux, and Node.js to enhance educational experiences globally. I contribute to the design and development of applications, leveraging AWS services like API Gateway and Lambda.

I contributed to the transition from AngularJS to React, enhancing the UX and DX along the way. Unlike other teams that develop new features for our energy industry clients, our team is dedicated solely to front-end modernization.Role and Responsibilities:- React & Typescript: Leveraging React and Typescript/JavaScript, I develop dynamic and high-performing applications that are crucial to the UI transformation.- Modern Web Technologies: Utilising HTML5, CSS3, and Tailwind to build responsive and visually appealing web interfaces, ensuring an excellent user experience.- API Integration: integrating REST APIs, ensuring our front-end communicates effectively with back-end systems.- State Management: Implementing state management solutions using libraries like Redux, React Context, and Zustand, ensuring our applications are scalable and maintainable.- Component Development: Building reusable components and front-end libraries, promoting efficient and consistent development practices.- Micro-Frontends: Applying micro-frontend principles, we create modular and scalable applications in frameworks like single-spa.- Testing & Documentation: Using Jest and Cypress for comprehensive testing, we ensure our code is robust and reliable. We also use Storybook for component documentation, enhancing collaboration and development efficiency.

After a decade away from my home town, I had decided to take some time to reconnect with family and friends.Key skills: Hiking, dog walking, wild camping, playing board games, drinking coffee, hanging out, dinner parties, half-marathon running, workout warrior

Working as part of a results-driven Software Engineer team specialising in React and Typescript, I applied a track record of proven successful deliveries into my role.Demonstrating an effective approach to mentoring and coaching the more junior team members on various projects, I’ve assisted them in leading projects whilst helping to guide their technical decision-making.My commitment has been to to foster a collaborative and learning-oriented environment which I believe has been instrumental in raising the confidence of team members to become more autonomous in their decision making.In addition to project leadership, I've played a pivotal role in shaping coding standards within the team, contributing to a more efficient and reliable software development process.By integrating better practices and methodologies, we have streamlined the testing pipeline which resulted in a substantially improved code quality and noticeably reduced QA cycles and feedback by 50%.

Working as part of the Component Library team, I worked on the kind of work I love most - creating highly robust, reusable components to make the overall development process faster and more stable.Within the projects, I built on my commercial experience with technologies such as:- React- Typescript- NextJs- Tailwind CSS and Styled components- Design systems- a11y driven development- Unit and integration testing with Jest- Visual regression with Storybook + Loki, and BackstopJS - E2E with Cucmber and CypressI also working hard inmy role to: - update our coding standards and practices- pivoted some team focus from features to tackle the ever-mounting tech debt - implemented Developer Experience solutions to our code base to speed up feature turnaround time- Actively engaged in improving our project management practices to use everything that Scrum has to offer to its full benefit.There was also a host of other things I'd done outside of my role within the company:- reinstated the company a11y guild- push of a11y and a11y best practices across teams- mentored devs in other teams across the company introducing them to debugging, Docker, GitLab pipelines, a11y, automated testing approaches- take part in activities and networks to make sure people in the company know they can bring their whole selves to work (Pride and the Disability, Neurodiversity and Mental Health networks)

Working primarily with React, NextJS and Ruby the team was focused on creating highly reusable, dumb components to be used across our web and desktop applications.Sticking with the industry-standard Agile sprints, we also integrated heavily into GitLab, using it as our project hub and not just a repo.Within the projects, I built on my commercial experience with technologies such as:- React- Typescript- NextJS- Tailwind CSS- Ruby- GraphQL- ReactQuery- Jest (specifically lambda functions)- a11y focussed development- Jest- StorybookFor most of my personal experience, there was the driver for the components library we were building assuring the quality of the work and making sure each component was as single-focused as possible.Jest testing was a huge part of the stack and making sure we tested the components as close to the users' experiences as possible, not looking for selectors but the actual content and actions they would be taking to assure if a test failed it was because a user path was broken.A big part of that for me was working on our guidelines for writing test suites; anydeveloper who was not involved in the development of the component would be able to see what actions the user would take much more clearer and this allowed those developers to notice when a test may have been skipped, and not just focus on simply setting the bar at just code coverage.

Working as a part of the Front-end development team, I bring the interaction layer to life based on the UX designers great work.With a focus on automating highly repetitive and highly demanding tasks, we focus on cutting down development time in the long run by creating amazing robust tool sets that can survive any re-design of the application.

Building fully customised web apps, custom responsive themes and additional core functionality in to any WordPress site and helping agencies make their creative solution a reality for their clients.Within the projects, I built on my commercial experience with technologies such as:- PHP- WordPress- Symfony- Laravel- Bootstrap/Foundation- ACF/CarbonFields- WordPress plugins API- WordPress theme API- GitMy main mission was to make sure agencies have the technical support and knowledge available whilst off-setting the cost of having someone in full-time.Working with award-winning agencies and teams across England, I rapidly grew the diversity of projects which I found a joy to be a part of.

A role specifically targeted at helping deliver the correct information to all people in the constituency, in relation to their public services. Within the apps, I built on my commercial experience with technologies such as:- WordPress- Zurb Foundation- jQuery- SCSS- BEM methodologies- WordPress themes API- WordPress plugins APIIt was my job to help develop and maintain custom websites, themes and plugins using the WordPress CMS platform, with a focus on user experience and accessibility.

My position held focussed on redesigning and developing the company sites from theground up.Within the apps, I built on my commercial experience with technologies such as:- WordPress- WordPress plugins API- WordPress theme API- jQuery- BootstrapI focused on the analysis of data and then developing and creating an experience for the users of the site to meet the customer needs and the company's goals.My main job during this employment was to re-build their sister companies' website whilst workingalongside their in-house designer.

Taken as a great opportunity to get my feet planted firmly in a new city to start my career as a developer.Also allowed me to continue building on my experience of:- being in a customer facing role- proactive conflict resolution

I worked on classes and programs for clients and bespoke services for corporate clients.I started doing my own website to promote myself and realised how much more I enjoyed web development! During this time I actively worked on TeamTreehouse courses and focused on WordPress theme development to help market my business better.Skills developed here were:- self-motivation- goal focus- customer service- positive motivation of others (one client took to calling me the 'smiling assassin' 😂)- session planning- business management- client need assessments

I worked part-time alongside a local CMS developer who got me involved in web development using the Joomla CMS and working alongside their clients to get websites up and running for them.Within the projects, I worked on gaining commercial experience in technologies such as:- Joomla CMS- PHP- JavaScript- HTML- CSS- PHPMyAdmin