Michael Lin, Developer in London, United Kingdom
Michael is available for hire
Hire Michael

Michael Lin

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Front-end Developer

Location
London, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
October 7, 2022

Michael is a UI-focused software engineer with over eight years of experience across various organizations, most recently at global investment banks. At Citibank, he's working on a cross-asset risk system to service the markets and security services business. Michael has worked across the stack with various technologies and is particularly interested in TypeScript, React, and GraphQL.

Portfolio

Citibank
React, TypeScript, JavaScript, GraphQL, React Apollo, Microfrontends, Node.js...
FlintMint LLC
React, TypeScript, Electron, Agile Software Development, Web UI, Web UX...
Beamery
Next.js, React, Code Review, HTML, Styled-components, Storybook, Node.js...

Experience

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

MacOS, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Slack, Zoom, GitHub, Git

The most amazing...

...thing I've built is a data governance portal software in Barclays that replaced a third-party tool and saved over one million in membership fees per year.

Work Experience

Tech Lead

2022 - PRESENT
Citibank
  • Led an agile engineering team of five UI developers to provide platform and software solutions focused on cross-asset risk management.
  • Led engineering-only and cross-team design sessions.
  • Implemented and architected a high-quality React UI for a cross-asset risk system to service the market and security services business.
  • Performed scrum master duties, leading daily meetings, sprint planning, resource management, and budgeting.
  • Collaborated with global partners (stakeholders) to drive the implementation of the next-gen risk system.
  • Improved development processes by instilling an inclusive team culture that includes code reviews, standardized testing, and release processes.
Technologies: React, TypeScript, JavaScript, GraphQL, React Apollo, Microfrontends, Node.js, Storybook, Styled-components, HTML, Team Management, Code Review, GitHub, Jenkins, Docker, HTML5, Figma, APIs, Front-end, Web Design, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Apollo, Agile, SQL, MongoDB, JavaScript Testing, Cypress, Webpack, CSS, D3.js, CSS3, NPM, Web Accessibility, Responsive UI, Code Splitting, Pair Programming, Functional Programming, React Testing Library, Enzyme, Jest, Recoil, Single-page Applications (SPA), Full-stack, REST APIs, Finance, Fintech, ECMAScript (ES6), UI Development, Babel, Chakra UI, Agile Software Development, PostCSS, Responsive Design, Amazon Web Services (AWS), WebSockets, Front-end Development, Axios, React Router, Web UI, Web UX, User Experience (UX), Redux Toolkit

Front-end Developer

2023 - 2023
FlintMint LLC
  • Developed the user interface (UI) screens for a healthcare desktop application for medical note-taking. These UI screens, including Login, Register, Profile, and Library, were developed using React, TypeScript, and Electron.
  • Monitored and oversaw problem resolution through Jira issues tracking and management.
  • Collaborated closely with the UI team to influence the overarching front-end architecture and address intricate UI challenges in Electron and React technologies.
  • Engaged in routine pair programming sessions with fellow UI engineers within the team to tackle technical issues.
Technologies: React, TypeScript, Electron, Agile Software Development, Web UI, Web UX, User Experience (UX), Redux Toolkit

Senior Software Engineer

2020 - 2022
Beamery
  • Contributed to a market-leading B2B multi-tenanted SaaS platform disrupting the recruitment industry using the latest front-end technologies.
  • Reviewed software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness to mitigate risks.
  • Conducted regular code reviews, pair programming, and design sessions to ensure code quality, reusability, and maintainability.
  • Contributed to architecture and technology choices within the team.
Technologies: Next.js, React, Code Review, HTML, Styled-components, Storybook, Node.js, Source Code Review, JavaScript, TypeScript, GraphQL, React Apollo, GitHub, CI/CD Pipelines, Docker, HTML5, Figma, APIs, Redux, Front-end, Express.js, Tailwind CSS, Web Design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), UI Design, User Interface (UI), Prisma, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Apollo, Agile, SQL, JavaScript Testing, Cypress, Webpack, CSS, CSS3, Sass, NPM, Web Accessibility, Responsive UI, Code Splitting, Pair Programming, Functional Programming, React Testing Library, Enzyme, Jest, Single-page Applications (SPA), PostgreSQL, Full-stack, Firebase, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), REST APIs, Cloudflare, ECMAScript (ES6), UI Development, Babel, Chakra UI, Electron, Agile Software Development, Emotion Library, PostCSS, Serverless, Contentful, Responsive Design, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mobile, WebSockets, Front-end Development, Axios, React Router, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Web UI, Web UX, User Experience (UX), Redux Toolkit

Lead Front-end Engineer

2017 - 2020
Barclays
  • Led an agile team of ten front-end, back-end, and full-stack engineers.
  • Contributed to all phases of agile, including requirement analysis, architecture design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing support for Barclays' internal applications.
  • Owned, designed, and developed a React Graph Visualisation Explorer for Barclays' extensive internal data to cut the £1.3 million annual membership cost of third-party software.
  • Collaborated with designers to create clean interfaces and simple, intuitive interactions and experiences.
  • Provided technical expertise and peer code reviews to other team members.
Technologies: React, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, GraphQL, React Apollo, Node.js, Git, GitHub, Jira, Confluence, Docker, HTML5, APIs, Front-end, Express.js, Web Design, UI Design, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Apollo, Agile, SQL, MongoDB, JavaScript Testing, Cypress, Webpack, CSS, D3.js, CSS3, Sass, NPM, Web Accessibility, Responsive UI, Code Splitting, Pair Programming, Functional Programming, React Testing Library, Enzyme, Jest, Single-page Applications (SPA), Full-stack, Redux, REST APIs, Finance, Fintech, ECMAScript (ES6), UI Development, Babel, Material UI, Agile Software Development, Responsive Design, Mobile, Front-end Development, Axios, React Router, Web UI, Web UX

Web Developer

2015 - 2017
Wardour Communications
  • Translated the design team's UX wireframes and mockups into responsive web applications.
  • Developed interactive infographics for BHF and Deutsche Bank.
  • Used the AngularJS framework for building web apps and worked on the Bootstrap CSS framework for responsive web design.
  • Fixed bugs from existing websites and implemented enhancements that significantly improved web functionality and speed.
Technologies: React, JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS, AngularJS, HTML5, Front-end, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), UI Design, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Agile, CSS3, Sass, NPM, Web Accessibility, Responsive UI, Pair Programming, UI Development, Agile Software Development, Responsive Design, Mobile, Front-end Development, Web UI, Web UX

Web Developer

2014 - 2015
Substance Global
  • Developed, maintained, and deployed website solutions for HBO, Fox, and Warner Bros.
  • Wrote cross-browser compliant HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript for web applications.
  • Worked on multiple projects simultaneously to a high standard.
Technologies: HTML, JavaScript, CSS, jQuery, Bootstrap, Front-end, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Responsive Web Design (RWD), CSS3, Sass, NPM, Web Accessibility, Responsive UI, Pair Programming, Laravel, UI Development, Responsive Design, User Interface (UI), Mobile, Front-end Development, Web UI, Web UX

Flintmint

Developed a comprehensive healthcare desktop application focused on note-taking, featuring a React, TypeScript, and Electron-based architecture. The application's user interface included essential screens like Login, Register, Profile, Library, and more, which I actively implemented.

I played a pivotal role in shaping the front-end architecture by collaborating closely with the UI team. We collectively tackled complex UI challenges within the Electron and React frameworks.

Furthermore, I fostered a culture of collaboration by engaging in frequent pair programming sessions with fellow UI engineers, facilitating the resolution of technical issues. Throughout this project, my efforts contributed to enhancing the overall quality and functionality of the application.

Risk Platform for Citibank

A React-based platform that serves the internal risk applications and enables distributed development and release of independent UI applications. It uses React, TypeScript, and GraphQL as core technologies and is implemented as a micro-frontend solution that provides SSO and the internal design system out of the box.

I'm currently the technical lead and the core engineer of this project. My primary responsibilities include making architectural decisions, feature developments, hosting sprint ceremonies, and stakeholder/project management.

Data Governance Portal for Barclays

Built a React-based Barclays Data Portal, a data governance platform for data management and stewardship. It empowers internal analysts to explore meanings/relationships in their extensive asset entities and improve business decisions. I was the lead engineer who worked on both the front and back end from scratch, from prototype to release.

The team has grown from one engineer (myself) to around ten engineers within a year. Apart from the technical contributions, I was heavily involved with hiring (reviewing resumes and conducting interviews) and building a solid team.

Talent Portal for Beamery

Developed a React and Next.js-based web app for internal talent mobility, named the Talent Portal. Its primary purpose is to help large organizations retain their internal talents. I acted as the front-end engineer in charge of the core UI of the application. This also involved collaborating with the designer to create an attractive and aesthetically appealing interface that is not only accessible but designed for targeted consumers.

Languages

JavaScript, TypeScript, GraphQL, HTML, CSS, CSS3, HTML5, ECMAScript (ES6), Sass, SQL, AMPscript, Java

Frameworks

Next.js, Jest, Cypress, Redux, Tailwind CSS, Material UI, Electron, Bootstrap, AngularJS, Express.js, Laravel

Libraries/APIs

React, React Testing Library, REST APIs, React Router, Node.js, Emotion Library, AG Grid, jQuery, D3.js

Tools

React Apollo, GitHub, JavaScript Testing, Babel, NPM, Webpack, Figma, PostCSS, Slack, Jenkins, Git, Jira, Confluence, Prisma

Paradigms

Functional Programming, Pair Programming, Agile, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Agile Software Development, Web UI Design, UI Design, Microfrontends, Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Platforms

Mobile, Firebase, Contentful, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Docker, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Blockchain

Industry Expertise

Web Design

Other

Storybook, Styled-components, Code Review, Enzyme, Code Splitting, Responsive UI, Front-end, Apollo, Single-page Applications (SPA), Full-stack, UI Development, Chakra UI, Responsive Design, Front-end Development, Axios, DOM, Web UI, Recoil, Web Accessibility, APIs, User Interface (UI), Finance, Fintech, Serverless, WebSockets, Web UX, User Experience (UX), Redux Toolkit, Team Management, Software Development, Web Development, Networking, Source Code Review, CI/CD Pipelines, Apollo Server, Cloudflare, Cryptocurrency

Storage

MongoDB, PostgreSQL

2011 - 2014

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Lancaster University - Lancaster, United Kingdom

Collaboration That Works

How to Work with Toptal

Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.

1

Share your needs

Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.
2

Choose your talent

Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.
3

Start your risk-free talent trial

Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.

Top talent is in high demand.

Start hiring