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Michael Ford
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Developer
London, United Kingdom
Toptal member since May 26, 2015
Bio
Michael is a JavaScript developer based out of the UK. While comfortable on the full stack, he leans toward front-end development and currently works heavily with React, React Native, and TypeScript with the aim of rapidly developing stable multi-platform applications. He’s worked with a large range of companies of different size and scope and has a passion for real-time data favoring databases like Firebase.
Portfolio
Carewell Family, Inc
JavaScript, React, CSS, Tailwind CSS, Next.js, Google Places API, eCommerce...
XpertSea Solutions Inc
React Native, React, Create React App, Styled-components, Material UI
XpertSea
React Native, React Native Bridge
Experience
- JavaScript - 7 years
- Node.js - 6 years
- React - 5 years
- TypeScript - 4 years
- React Native - 4 years
- Firebase - 3 years
- Next.js - 3 years
- Tailwind CSS - 1 year
Preferred Environment
GitHub, Git, WebStorm, Linux, MacOS
The most amazing...
...app I've created is a language learning platform where users generate their own lessons from real-life foreign language source materials, e.g., from images.
Work Experience
React Front-end Developer
2021 - 2022
Carewell Family, Inc
- Converted legacy BigCommerce stencil app to a headless Next.js app.
- Quadrupled the page speed score, improving SEO and conversion.
- Integrated CRM platforms such as Builder and Contentful to reduce developer workload.
Technologies: JavaScript, React, CSS, Tailwind CSS, Next.js, Google Places API, eCommerce, Contentful, BigCommerce, TypeScript
React and React Native Developer
2020 - 2020
XpertSea Solutions Inc
- Returned to the previous client to aid the continued development of their React Native app—extending it to include iOS alongside the existing Android target.
- Worked on an internal admin interface to manage users of the React Native app, e.g., managing signed contracts.
- Worked with the client's AI team to integrate a photographic machine learning tool written in C++ with their React Native app.
Technologies: React Native, React, Create React App, Styled-components, Material UI
React Native Developer
2019 - 2020
XpertSea
- Developed a React Native app targeting the Android platform.
- Integrated the client's internal C++ machine learning toolchain with the React Native app.
- Laid groundwork for the eventual launch of the React Native app on iOS.
Technologies: React Native, React Native Bridge
Developer
2018 - 2019
Genolingo
- Developed a platform for generating interactive language lessons based on any foreign language source material.
- Worked with React Native.
- Integrated with Stripe, Mixpanel, and Hotjar.
- Built the back end on Firebase, Google Cloud Services, and AWS.
- Began the project with React and Next.js before transitioning to a React Native app.
Technologies: Next.js, MobX, Firebase, TypeScript, React Native, React
Software Engineer
2017 - 2018
Bello for work
- Led a team of three engineers building out a real-time messaging platform for iOS, Android, and web using React and React Native.
- Advised the company on their YCombinator application and travelled to California to be involved with the interview process as the engineering lead.
- Built out a robust messaging system using Firebase.
Technologies: MobX, Firebase, TypeScript, Redux, React Native, React
Software Developer
2017 - 2017
Brilliant Notion
- Fulfilled contracts revolving around data analytics in the sports industry.
Technologies: Flow, Webpack 2, SCSS, React
Software Developer
2015 - 2017
BarChick
- Built and maintained a concierge platform through which users were recommended bars and restaurants by BarChick's operators. The platform consisted of an operator interface, built in React, through which operators were able to communicate with users over a variety of messaging platforms: SMS, Slack, FB Messenger, Web, and an iOS app. The users received recommendations and were also given the option to be booked in.
- Developed an Android/iOS app in React Native through which staff members at bars were able to accept and reject bookings from the platform.
- Built a web portal through which bars could access their metrics, e.g., how many times they are recommended by operators and how many bookings/covers they receive. They were also able to manage their booking calendars through this portal.
- Contributed to the development of a consumer-facing app through which users were able to communicate with BarChick Concierge as well as browse BarChick's bar guide. This was initially built with React Native but eventually converted into a fully native iOS app.
Technologies: Twilio, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Dokku, DigitalOcean, Firebase, Redux, Flow, Node.js, React Native, React
Consultant
2015 - 2015
The Motley Fool
- Developed a Django application for management of internal data.
- Involved in importing and normalizing data from existing spreadsheets used for management of the data.
- Followed Agile principles engaging clients for constant feedback, aiding rapid development.
- Developed custom components for Django admin using React.
Technologies: Heroku, React, Django
Consultant
2015 - 2015
Farm4Trade
- Developed a cross-platform mobile application using AngularJS/Ionic.
- Developed a mobile app using supplied PSD and SVG from the designer.
- Followed Agile methodology.
- Liased with back-end developers concurrently constructing a REST API.
- Released to Android and iOS app stores.
Technologies: Gulp, SCSS, Node.js, Ionic, AngularJS
Consultant
2014 - 2015
Eldarion
- Worked with various Eldarion clients on web applications backed by Django with Angular/React front ends.
Technologies: React, AngularJS, Django
Consultant
2014 - 2015
The Campus Job
- Optimized a Django app.
- Debugged Heroku deployment issues.
Technologies: Django
Co-founder
2013 - 2014
Mosayc
- Developed and released an iOS application for collaborative photo albums to the App Store.
- Developed a REST API using Django, Postgres, Elasticsearch, and RabbitMQ.
- Deployed to DigitalOcean and AWS.
- Worked with supplied PSDs from the designer/co-founder.
Technologies: RabbitMQ, Celery, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, Django, Objective-C
Analyst
2013 - 2014
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Extended and supporting an analytics platform presenting historical data from vendors such as Bloomberg and Reuters to various internal/external applications.
- Liaised with clients and vendors onboarding and normalizing datasets.
- Developed data visualization using Django, AngularJS, and Q/KDB+.
- Utilized Elasticsearch for fuzzy search.
Technologies: AngularJS, Django, Python, Kdb+
Experience
React Native Watch Connectivity
https://github.com/mtford90/react-native-watch-connectivityEnables communication between iWatch and React Native apps.
Genolingo
Genolingo allows users to generate their own language lessons by uploading foreign language source materials.
Education
2009 - 2012
Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Computer Science
Imperial College - London
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Node.js, React, MobX, Stripe API, jQuery, Stripe, Google Places API
Tools
Mocha, Sketch, Webpack, Gulp, Celery, RabbitMQ, WebStorm, Git, GitHub, Webpack 2, Flow, Create React App
Languages
PHP, TypeScript, CSS, JavaScript, SCSS, Objective-C, Python, GraphQL
Frameworks
Next.js, React Native, Jest, Tailwind CSS, Redux, Express.js, AngularJS, Ionic, Django, Material UI
Platforms
Firebase, Linux, iOS, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mixpanel, Heroku, MacOS, DigitalOcean, Dokku, Twilio, Contentful, BigCommerce
Storage
Elasticsearch, Redis, Kdb+, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), PostgreSQL
Paradigms
REST
Other
Serverless, Styled-components, React Native Bridge, eCommerce
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