L o a d i n g
London, UK
UK Citizen
I'm a Software Engineer who's got this knack for turning code into cool things. I am currently living in London, and working as a Platform Engineer at Push Gaming 🚀

3

Years of experience

900+

GitHub contributions on my own personal projects

About Me

After earning my degree in 2021, I started at Allstate Belfast as a full stack developer, gaining strong experience with Java/Spring backend and React front end. In 2023, I moved to London and currently, I’m a platform engineer at Push Gaming, working on infrastructure to support casino game hosting.

Outside of work, I channel my passion for both coding and football into personal projects like "Ballerr" and "Footle". Ballerr is an immersive web-app & game tied to the Premier League season, while Footle is a Wordle-inspired game centred on football players and transfers. Both apps feature a Next.js front end, with Ballerr powered by a robust Java/Spring backsend.

I've got a bunch of other tricks up my sleeve, from digital media, audio production & editing, freelance web development and even some event management. I've got a range of skills that make me very versatile.

Let’s connect if you're looking for a creative, tech-savvy developer!🤝

What I Do

Backend

Front End

Web Dev

As a backend engineer, my expertise lies in building scalable, efficient systems using Java and Spring Boot. I've developed RESTful APIs to streamline communication between services, ensuring reliable data flow across applications. My approach involves crafting well-structured repository layers for effective data management, service layers that implement robust business logic, and controllers that orchestrate the process with precision. I focus on creating optimised, maintainable code that drives performance and scalability, ensuring the backend functions as a strong, reliable foundation for any application. 🚀🛠
On the front end, my goal is to create seamless and engaging user experiences. With expertise in JavaScript and ReactJS, and more recently, Next.js, I focus on building intuitive, responsive interfaces that are both functional and visually striking. A prime example is my project "Ballerr," where I used Next.js to design an immersive, user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate. I’m not just writing code; I’m blending functionality with creativity to deliver applications that look as good as they perform. 🎨🌟
Beyond my day job, I’m passionate about freelance web design, where I’ve had the opportunity to transform businesses’ online presence. Recently, I worked with Victus, a renewable energy company in N.Ireland, to modernise their outdated website, enhancing their digital image. I also collaborated with Menarys, an Irish department store, redesigning their site to better reflect their brand and appeal to customers. For the Cambridge-based band Suite Mentale, I created a site that showcased their unique style and branding, elevating their online presence and connecting them with their audience. 💻

Experience

A Snapshot of My Professional Experience.

(1) Platform Engineer

Push Gaming, London | November 2023 - Current

At Push Gaming, I develop and maintain a microservices infrastructure using Java Spring, enabling clients to host our games on their platforms. I manage tasks throughout the entire development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment, and contribute to both backend development and frontend UI tasks with API integration. I leverage AWS and Kubernetes for deploying and managing applications, and utilise GitHub Actions to automate CI/CD workflows. Additionally, I have built and optimised Grafana dashboards with Slack alerting, enhancing visibility into production errors and system reliability. My role also involves working with tools like Kubernetic and Grafana to monitor and troubleshoot microservices, and I enhanced system stability by implementing PIT Mutation Testing across several repositories.

(2) Software Developer

FinTark, London | March 2023 - November 2023

Quickly integrated into the team, improving the Java codebase by resolving defects and leading key refactoring efforts. I spearheaded the implementation of a staging area to address concurrency issues, significantly improving user experience and optimising processing capabilities. Unfortunately, I left this role due to company-wide redundancies as a result of scaling back.

(3) Fullstack Developer

Allstate Belfast | September 2021 - March 2023

Contributed to a full-stack team developing an internal ratemaking platform, delivering high-quality API’s and a React front end that helped the business solidify the insurance ratemaking process. Completed an 8-week full-stack development training course, mastering front end technologies (JavaScript, ReactJS, HTML, CSS) and backend technologies (Java, Spring, TDD, CI/CD). Collaborated with a multinational team in Chicago, leveraging strong interpersonal skills to quickly establish effective working relationships.

Education

A Summary of My Academic Journey

Master of Software Development

September 2020 - September 2021
Queen's University Belfast (71/100)

Bachelors Degree in Music Technology & Sound Design

September 2017 - July 2020
Queen's University Belfast (2:1)
My Technical Skills

Java

Spring

JavaScript

ReactJS

NextJS

HTML

CSS

PostgreSQL

Git

Hibernate

Kubernetes

AWS

Featured Projects

Check out some of my projects below 🚀

Testimonials

"Alexander started working in FinTark in March 2023, and I had the pleasure of mentoring him during the first few months. Alexander is a very aspiring developer who took on the most sophisticated tasks and always delivered them to a brilliant standard. His development skills and levels of professionalism was always high above the expectations for a developer of his experience level. Alexander provided valuable insights in areas like software architecture and framework knowledge in addition to his activities as a developer."

Jens Weatcher

Manager at FinTark

“Working with Alex on our website overhaul was an absolute pleasure. His web design skills and meticulous planning brought our vision to life. Alex’s natural ability to explain complex topics to our team ensured a smooth development, and his creative abilities really helped to elevate our online presence. We’re thrilled with the results. ”

Neil O'Brien

Director of Victus Energy

“Working with Alexander was a fantastic experience. Suite Mentale needed a website that could serve as a hub for promoters and A&R representatives, effectively showcasing our band's brand and music. Alexander stepped up to the challenge and delivered a site that not only met but exceeded our expectations. He quickly grasped our vision and translated it into a website that perfectly captures our band's identity. His expertise and dedication made the entire process smooth and efficient. We couldn’t be happier with the result and highly recommend Alexander for any web development needs.”

Ed Potts

Suite Mentale