Jul 2023 – Mar 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos · United Kingdom · Remote

• Enhanced and maintained the existing Go backend by developing new APIs, automating database migrations, and rebuilding the infrastructure as code to support ephemeral deployments. Key features included an e-commerce marketplace API, a subscriptions API, and a loyalty points system.
• Designed and built a greenfield backend in Go for “Wildhero”, an eco friendly email client, including OAuth authentication, a unified API for emails and contacts, a Gmail-style query lexer and parser, and a syncing and caching system using Redis, PostgreSQL and S3.
• Designed and implemented a platform with a strong focus on security, incorporating JWT authentication, encrypted email storage, and automated SAST scanning in the CI/CD pipeline to ensure compliance with CASA Tier 2 security standards.
• Built an analytics platform that enriched incoming data and integrated with AWS EventBridge. Designed Redshift schemas, EventBridge rules, and dashboards for tracking user retention and feature adoption.
• Optimised performance and cost by architecting efficient storage and indexing solutions for handling millions of daily email operations. Reduced cloud costs by 30% through infrastructure optimisations and cost analysis.
• Managed cloud infrastructure using Terraform, automating deployments and resource provisioning across AWS services. Set up monitoring and alerting with AWS CloudWatch and pganalyze to track database performance and application health.
• Led backend strategy by defining and executing the roadmap while collaborating with the app, product, and marketing teams to ensure alignment with business goals and provided technical guidance for the product roadmap.
• Recruited, built, and managed the backend team (permanent and contractor roles), guiding technical development through coaching, one-on-one sessions, quarterly growth meetings, and pair programming.

Dec 2021 – Jun 2023 · 1 yr 6 mos

• Re-architected the core systems to prioritise native checkout over building the product database, aligning with company strategy and delivering a PCI-compliant solution to enhance security and user experience.
• Designed and implemented a TypeScript plugin system that standardised new website integrations, reducing the need for internal system knowledge and enabling efficient outsourcing of plugin development.
• Adopted temporary leadership of the development team during a transitional period of six months until a new Head of Engineering was appointed.
• Engaged with investors and the board, providing technology updates, shaping the product vision, and incorporating feedback to refine strategic direction.
• Fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation, introducing RFCs for greenfield projects, running engineering knowledge-sharing sessions, and driving operational efficiency through proactive improvements.

Jun 2021 – Dec 2021 · 6 mos

• Designed and implemented an event driven, high performance product extraction pipeline using Go microservices deployed via Kubernetes, capable of indexing 15,000 SKUs per second.
• Optimised existing data flow pipelines for scalability and reliability.

Apr 2018 – Jun 2021 · 3 yrs 2 mos · Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

• Scaled the technology team from 6 to 25 developers in one year, introducing multiple teams and appointing team leaders to improve efficiency. Implemented agile best practices, reporting structures, and feedback loops to support growth.
• Defined and executed the technology vision and strategy, working closely with the chief architect to design architecture, execution plans, and infrastructure. Developed early-stage proof of concepts for key components, guiding teams toward production implementation.
• Drove business growth and cost optimisations, resulting in revenue and profits doubling year-over-year while reducing infrastructure costs by $500K through efficiency improvements.
• Optimised performance using Google Cloud technologies, leveraging BigQuery, Spanner, Postgres, Go, and Pub/Sub while maintaining strong partnerships with vendors for cost-effective solutions.

May 2016 – Apr 2018 · 1 yr 11 mos

Nov 2015 – Apr 2016 · 5 mos

Feb 2015 – Nov 2015 · 9 mos

Jul 2014 – Feb 2015 · 7 mos

Jul 2013 – Jun 2014 · 11 mos

Jul 2012 – Jun 2013 · 11 mos