Nicolás is available for hire
Hire NicolásNicolás Bonet González
Verified Expert in Engineering
JavaScript Developer
Bogotá, Colombia
Toptal member since June 29, 2020
Bio
Nicolás has been a software developer and entrepreneur for more than a decade. At the age of 17, he started SMFPacks.com, an online business selling PHP and JavaScript-powered plugins. Over 3,000 websites use SMFPack's paid products, and over 100,000 use its free versions. During the past few years, he has delivered numerous projects for businesses and universities. Nicolás sharpens his skills in his free time by working on new projects and learning new technologies.
Portfolio
Expensify
TypeScript, C++, AI Agents, CSS, HTTP, Data Structures
Prefect Technologies, Inc.
React, Next.js, Sanity Studio, HTTP, Data Structures
OpenBorder
JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React, Next.js, Shopify, eCommerce, Full-stack...
Experience
- JavaScript - 12 years
- PHP - 10 years
- CSS - 10 years
- APIs - 10 years
- React - 8 years
- TypeScript - 7 years
- Next.js - 4 years
- Node.js - 2 years
Preferred Environment
React, Node.js, TypeScript, Git, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), MacOS
The most amazing...
...thing I've done was start SMFPacks.com in high school. It's how I began my web journey and learned how to interact with customers.
Work Experience
Applied AI Engineer
2026 - PRESENT
Expensify
- Worked in applied AI, including the latest beta feature of AI Agents within the app.
- Engaged with open source contributors to squash bugs and implement new features while providing guidance.
- Started new proposals within the company regarding security and applied AI.
Technologies: TypeScript, C++, AI Agents, CSS, HTTP, Data Structures
Sanity CMS Developer
2024 - PRESENT
Prefect Technologies, Inc.
- Revamped the development process for the main website to decrease errors in production, as it was a heavily manual process.
- Implemented automated tests and CI/CD validations to make sure the code reaching production was clean and functional.
- Optimized the performance of the website to reach an all-time high of 86/91/96/90, according to Lighthouse.
Technologies: React, Next.js, Sanity Studio, HTTP, Data Structures
Senior Front-end Engineer
2022 - 2025
OpenBorder
- Developed an app to make integrating our snippets easier for our clients, reducing the installation time from one week to an hour or less.
- Tracked and fixed performance issues in our checkout application, reducing the number of problems reported in Datadog by more than 50%.
- Onboarded six clients and integrated their plugins into our solutions.
Technologies: JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, React, Next.js, Shopify, eCommerce, Full-stack, CSS, HTTP, Data Structures
Senior Mobile Engineer
2023 - 2024
GlossGenius
- Implemented better tracking mechanisms to identify long-standing bugs in the application by providing more insightful information for the company's devs.
- Tracked and fixed some long-standing issues related to the current integration of the app with card readers.
- Participated in defining the new architecture for the POS reader integration, aiming to improve its correctness and maintainability.
Technologies: React Native, TypeScript, React, CSS, HTTP, APIs, Data Structures
Senior Front-end Engineer
2021 - 2022
Omaze, Inc.
- Led the development of the new website for Omaze.com, providing new features and a better user experience for customers based on feedback gathered by development and product teams.
- Implemented a new technical stack for the website, improving the performance and scalability of the platform.
- Mentored and trained junior development team members on the new technologies and best practices used in the project.
- Implemented internal libraries and frameworks to modernize the codebase and ensure compliance with the latest standards in software development. Improving the maintainability and extensibility of the code.
- Built the new international platform for Omaze to expand in new markets, including integration with Sanity as our headless CMS with a brand new React app on top of TypeScript.
- Defined the new architecture that Omaze is going to use in their main website at omaze.com with Next.js, full SSR, and integrated with a customized version of an open-source CMS.
Technologies: JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS3, HTML5, Webpack, Redux, Tailwind CSS, React, GraphQL, CSS, HTTP, APIs, Data Structures
Senior Front-end Developer
2021 - 2021
TopTal Client
- Developed an app that allowed community members to refer new members and get rewards for it, similar to a contest. Used Web3.js and the Ethereum blockchain.
- Created an app to generate images using OpenSea's API to retrieve owned assets and then created an asset using image composition to make it unique for each user.
- Improved the client's development process, as it was overall slow and error-prone.
Technologies: TypeScript, Web3.js, Blockchain, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), React, Next.js, CSS, HTTP, APIs, Data Structures
Senior Full-stack Developer
2021 - 2021
Toptal
- Developed a full-stack solution for a client that intended to cross enormous amounts of data from different sources, creating the web scraping tools and the ETL that were in charge of populating our AWS database.
- Developed the entire front end of the web app based on the designs provided by the graphic designer in Figma, while keeping the highest standards on Lighthouse and SEO.
- Optimized the back end to operate fully, crossing hundreds of thousands of data entries to cross information and provide autocompletion based on the most similar occurrences.
Technologies: JavaScript, TypeScript, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Node.js, Web Scraping, HTTP, APIs
Development Lead
2020 - 2021
Rapidream
- Developed the MVP used to raise the initial round of investment for the Rapidream company. The purpose of the MVP was to convert Figma designs into actual React code.
- Created a bundle package that allowed the app to be ported and installed as an NPM package, using React as a peer dependency.
- Mounted the back end and the CI deployment, using Node.js, TypeScript, and TypeORM, to support all the project operations.
Technologies: JavaScript, React, Webpack, Cypress, Node.js, CSS, HTTP, Data Structures
Senior Front-end Engineer
2020 - 2021
Toptal Client
- Migrated the entire codebase from JavaScript to TypeScript. This helped implement new features faster and make sure that all components were properly used, reducing the number of bugs and improving the overall quality of the code.
- Implemented end-to-end testing using Cypress because one of the client's pain points was related to how deployments were handled and how things could be broken after deployments.
- Merged two client projects into one single repository, optimizing the codebase after merging and reducing the amount of code to maintain. In the process, the landing page was optimized and is now 3x times faster according to Lighthouse.
- Implemented new tools for the tech team to easily test behaviors and back-end features by using the web app. This included implementations with Agora and WebSocket, involving multiple streams and logging of messages.
Technologies: Cypress, Agora, WebSockets, TypeScript, Next.js, CSS, APIs
Senior Front-end Engineer
2020 - 2020
Toptal Client
- Developed an application using a component-driven approach, coding the components on Storybook based on Figma designs provided by the design team.
- Implemented the communication layer between the front end and the back end, including authentication and a common mechanism to perform requests in both the web app and the components library. Everything was done using TS for a typed, safe approach.
- Improved the entire development experience by setting up a set of tools to enhance the way code is pushed to repositories, including code formatting, extensions, recommended workspace settings, and Git hooks, for easier onboarding of developers.
- Implemented a typed approach to set up components, reducing the errors and mistakes made by developers through using the type system to prevent undesired states.
Technologies: React, Storybook, TypeScript, JavaScript, CSS, APIs
Senior Software Engineer
2020 - 2020
Adidas
- Developed the next version of the Yeezy website, involving intense animations, WebGL components, and a powerful, scalable application built with React, TypeScript, react-three-fiber, and an effects system to properly manage side effects and errors.
- Built a proof of concept tackling the main pain points of a legacy implementation to properly gather the most important components and refactor them using the new architecture.
- Mentored a junior software engineer in the process of exploring the potential to integrate new frameworks into the current system.
Technologies: WebGL, React, Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, CSS, APIs
Development Team Lead
2019 - 2020
Endava
- Gathered requirements directly from clients, established the deliverables, redefined the development process to react better to customer needs, and determined the implementation cycles.
- Led a development team of five developers and two testers. Conducted technical interviews for candidates applying for development positions in Endava Bogotá and coached new joiners on their career paths.
- Delivered the i18n project that was initially scheduled for April in February by using an automated solution. This implementation was done using TypeScript, React, Redux, CanJS, and i18next.
Technologies: CanJS, Jira, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, CSS, APIs
Senior Full-stack Developer
2018 - 2019
Alkanza Latam
- Reduced the load time of the application by around 80%, using techniques to pre-load and properly manage static and dynamic resources.
- Implemented the new web core of the company, reducing the time to engage new customers by 30%. This new web core was built using React, TypeScript, and Redux for state management.
- Designed and developed a set of components based on customers’ needs and the organization's objectives.
- Maintained a legacy web core used by the organization across all its products to keep all customers engaged with new functionalities while the new platform was built.
Technologies: Jira, Scrum, InVision, Less, CSS3, Python, HTML5, JavaScript, React, CSS, APIs
Development Team Lead
2017 - 2018
University of Pamplona
- Led a development team in charge of the software used by the Central University of Valle del Cauca (UCEVA, located in Tulua, Colombia) to manage institutional accreditation of academic curricula.
- Collaborated with deans and other university stakeholders to define requirements and features for the system.
- Implemented all the requirements defined while staying within the constraints required by the IT department.
- Integrated the new software with the existing user platform to allow integration with other services of the university, shortening the implementation phase by one month.
- Oversaw the development of the application, which was built in React and TypeScript for the front end and PHP, MySQL, and Laravel for the back end.
Technologies: MySQL, React, JavaScript, Laravel, PHP, APIs
SSR Web UI Developer
2017 - 2018
Globant
- Delivered a project to migrate legacy code for a new API implementation in PHP, shortening the delivery date by three months.
- Developed and maintained new applications in accordance with the technical requirements established by the technology team and the design standards defined by the UX team.
- Designed and developed a set of components for a library used internally by the client in their interim applications.
Technologies: Angular, MySQL, PHP, JavaScript, APIs
Software Engineer
2017 - 2017
University of the Andes
- Developed an Eclipse plugin, allowing engineers to automate the creation of Java projects for students using a pseudo-Java code powered by annotations to generate well-structured code and all the resources related to the target application.
- Designed and conducted the laboratories for the university's software architecture class with 45 students.
- Led a research project that became a published paper about metrics and quality assurance for MDE-based projects.
Technologies: Java, Eclipse, APIs
Research Assistant
2015 - 2017
University of The Andes
- Designed and coded more than 10 workshops, videos, tutorials, and additional content for students.
- Implemented, as part of a four-member team, a model-based generation chain that created software used by M.Sc. students.
- Contributed to a research project about metrics and quality assurance for MDE- based projects.
Technologies: GenMyModel, Java, APIs
Founder and Developer
2009 - 2015
SMFPacks.com
- Established SMFPacks.com, where products for simple machine forums (SMFs) can be acquired. Designed and created 12 themes and 25 plugins used by hundreds of communities worldwide.
- Created the SMF mobile app to provide SMF forums with a native app for their websites in both iOS and Android. This app was developed from scratch, and it's the only mobile app for this system of forums.
- Played a key role in the SMF customization team for six months, reducing the queue of plugins waiting for approval by more than 80%, which allowed the rest of the team to focus on other tasks.
- Supported SMF users to enhance their experience with the software and help them tackle technical issues. I was on a team of 12 SMF support specialists.
- Created SMFMobileTheme.com, a mobile theme designed to provide a rich experience for mobile users who have slow connections. It was crafted using jQuery Mobile, and over 300 copies were sold.
Technologies: jQuery, MySQL, PHP, JavaScript, APIs
Experience
Alkanza
Alkanza was a robo-advisor investment company based in Colombia and served clients across the globe. As a senior engineer, I led development teams to implement new features and maintain all the legacy systems. I also worked closely with stakeholders to keep everyone aligned.
GetBuilt
https://getbuilt.com/Built is a platform designed to manage risk, maximize productivity, and improve the customer experience during construction loans. I was the development lead of a Built team that developed new features for the application and for the client landing apps.
Caleto
https://github.com/NicolasBonet/CaletoA Java-powered application that implements steganography, which hides files inside BMP images by using the metadata of the image to partition the bytes of the image in order to hide it without heavily affecting the quality of the original image.
PhotoStudio AI Mobile App
Looking to see what your pet would look like in different scenarios? Or how you look in The Walking Dead? Look no further! Just upload some photos of you and generate images of them in multiple scenarios. Whether you're curious to see what they would look like as a pirate or a princess, we've got you covered!
YS Immersive
https://www.lsnglobal.com/news/article/25750/yeezy-s-immersive-site-upends-digital-storefrontsA scaling solution for an innovative eCommerce for adidas with thousands of sales per minute, in which every aspect of the entire user flow matters. While I served as a senior software engineer, my team developed the entire web app, using WebGL, React, and TypeScript.
PetPrime - Pet Care Management App Using AI
PetPrime is a mobile app for pet care management. It was built from the ground up as a mobile application with React Native, a back end created using NestJS and Supabase, and AI integration via ChatGPT to provide smart insights about the pet based on all the data stored in the app.
Education
2015 - 2016
Master's Degree in Computer Science
University of Los Andes - Bogota, Colombia
2010 - 2015
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science
University of Los Andes - Bogota, Colombia
Certifications
MAY 2019 - MAY 2021
IELTS General Training - Band 7.5 (C1)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
JANUARY 2019 - PRESENT
EF SET English Certificate (C2 Proficient)
EF Standard English Test (EF SET)
JANUARY 2019 - PRESENT
Scrum Master Accredited Certification
International Scrum Institute
Skills
Libraries/APIs
React, Node.js, WebGL, jQuery, Web3.js
Tools
Visual Studio, Git, GenMyModel, InVision, Jira, Agora, Webpack, Expo
Languages
JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, PHP, GraphQL, Java, HTML5, Python, CSS3, Less, C++
Paradigms
Agile, Scrum, Functional Programming, Kanban, Microfrontends
Frameworks
Next.js, Redux, Ionic, Angular, Laravel, CanJS, Cypress, Tailwind CSS, React Native, NestJS
Storage
MySQL, NoSQL, SQLite
Platforms
MacOS, Eclipse, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Blockchain, iOS, Android, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Shopify, Sanity Studio, Mapbox
Other
Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Agents, HTTP, APIs, Data Structures, Cloud, Software Engineering, Storybook, WebSockets, Computer Science, SaaS, Open-source Software (OSS), Web Development, Web Hosting, Android App Design, Android Development, Image Processing, Web Scraping, Fintech, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Crypto, Mobile Apps, English, eCommerce, Full-stack
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