James Lewis Harries

Engineering Lead

• Developed customer-facing products and services as well as a pensions platform using TypeScript, React, Redux, Next.js, Node, and AWS Lambda.
• Built the Rest Less mobile app using React Native, TypeScript, Redux, and Native Base.
• Ensured a high level of automated testing using Jest, React Testing Library, and Cypress.
• Introduced new frameworks and tools to the wider team such as styled system, Chakra UI, and Native Base.
• Designed and implemented a technical strategy to iteratively migrate away from a legacy front-end tech stack.

Engineering Manager

• Developed internal operational dev tools using Elixir, ExUnit, Ruby, RSpec, TypeScript, and Jest to enhance productivity and streamline processes.
• Defined and implemented a refactoring approach that significantly improved development velocity on the payments platform, resulting in increased efficiency and code quality.
• Lead the UK engineering recruitment, including designing and evaluating technical take-home exercises in Elixir, Ruby, and TypeScript to assess candidates' skills and potential fit.

Engineering Lead

• Developed and implemented an internal product management system that streamlined the product development process, allowing concepts to go from sketches to a ready-to-go live product drop on the Shopify website.
• Utilized Typescript, React, Next.js, Emotion, Jest, RTL and Cypress on the front-end and Elixir, Phoenix, ExUnit, Absinthe/GraphQL, and PostGreSQL on the backend to build and maintain the system across the whole stack.
• Integrated external services and APIs to improve internal operations and scalability.
• Conducted maintenance on existing systems built with Ruby, Sinatra, RSpec, PostGreSQL, React, and PostCSS.
• Mapped out the current system architecture and created a technical roadmap as part of the handover to the new CTO.

Engineering Lead

• Led the migration of a legacy customer-facing website with multiple regions and over 3000 pages. Transformed the tech stack from Ruby, Sinatra, RSpec, CoffeeScript, and HAML to a modern and company aligned tech stack, including TypeScript, React, Gatsby.js, Emotion, GraphQL, AWS Lambda, and Ruby.
• Developed multiple new APIs using Ruby on Rails, RSpec, Kafka, and MongoDB to support the front-end systems, enhancing functionality and improving integration capabilities.
• Executed a successful migration utilizing a strangler fig pattern, ensuring zero downtime and a seamless transition for users during the migration process.
• Rapidly designed, built, and deployed a COVID insurance cover checker system that utilized a dynamic cover matrix. This system empowered customers to easily understand their coverage during the COVID19 pandemic.
• Adjusted and enhanced machine learning systems in Python, enabling the delivery of highly targeted content to customers and improving personalisation efforts.
• Led the technical strategy and delivery of two cross-functional product teams while being part of defining the front-end technical strategy for the entire department, playing a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's technological direction.

Head of Engineering

• Led full-stack development of a SaaS platform, leveraging Ruby on Rails, RSpec, and MySQL on the backend, alongside TypeScript, React, and Redux on the front-end.
• Achieved a significant enhancement in test coverage for critical services by implementing RSpec, Capybara, and Jest, ensuring the reliability and stability of the system.
• Contributed to mobile development projects, utilizing Swift, Java, Xamarin, and exploring React Native for building mobile applications.
• Conducted maintenance work on the existing front-end, which was developed using CoffeeScript, jQuery, HAML, and SASS, ensuring its stability and smooth operation.
• Optimized and improved continuous integration workflows, resulting in streamlined development processes and increased efficiency.

Engineering Lead

• Developed a refer-a-friend platform from the ground up after the business pivoted from being a co-buying platform
• Built a highly scalable embeddable Javascript library using vanilla JavaScript, SASS, and HTML to integrate with client websites
• Implemented and maintained client-side APIs using Ruby on Rails, PostGreSQL, Elixir, and Phoenix to power the platform
• Achieved a high level of automated testing using RSpec, ExUnit, Jest, Jasmine, and Capybara
• Built back office and client-facing business intelligence analytical reporting systems using React, Redux, and SASS on the front-end, and Elixir, Phoenix, PostGreSQL, and Elasticsearch on the backend

Senior Software Engineer

• Engaged in full stack development for multiple clients, employing Ruby on Rails, Node, MongoDB, MySQL, RSpec, and Capybara on the backend. On the front-end, utilized JavaScript, CoffeeScript, jQuery, Angular, HTML, SASS, and Jasmine.
• Developed internal tools and products to enhance the agency's ability to serve clients and projects effectively. Implemented a system for automatic optimization of AWS resource usage, streamlining operations.
• Contributed to the development of iOS and Android applications using RubyMotion and Ionic frameworks.

Senior Software Engineer

• Built the Spanish price comparision website Kelisto.es after prototyping, testing and building out multiple iterations of ideas while inside the start-up incubator
• Developed the various price comparison systems to allow customers to get the best deals possible using Ruby on Rails, PostGreSQL, Redis, MongoDB for the backend and CoffeeScript, jQuery, Jade, HAML, SASS and Jasmine on the front-end.
• Built internal monitoring systems and dashboards to effectively measure success metrics. These systems seamlessly integrated with external API feeds, utilizing Ruby on Rails on the backend and JavaScript, Backbone.js, and SASS on the front-end.
• Implemented an A/B testing system, allowing for controlled experiments to optimize user experience and drive business outcomes. Took ownership of business intelligence and analytics data, leveraging insights to make data-driven product decisions.

Senior Software Engineer

• Undertook full stack development on a project for Renault, focusing on building a robust backend CMS utilizing PHP, MySQL, and XSLT. On the front-end, employed JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and SASS to create a highly interactive and fully responsive user interface that seamlessly functioned across all major devices and browsers, including IE6.
• Implemented a comprehensive frontend UI that delivered an exceptional user experience while maintaining compatibility across various platforms. The UI design was responsive, ensuring optimal usability and accessibility across different devices and browsers, including legacy ones like IE6.

Senior Software Engineer

• Engaged in full stack development on a customer-facing data management system, enabling users to securely backup their data to Livedrive data centers. Leveraged .NET and MySQL on the backend to ensure efficient data handling, while utilizing JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS on the front-end to deliver a seamless user experience.
• Built a consumer support portal that seamlessly integrated with existing backend systems, employing a combination of REST and SOAP protocols. Employed PHP and MySQL on the backend, along with JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS on the front-end to create a user-friendly and efficient support platform.
• Contributed to the development of iOS apps using Objective-C, as well as Windows and MacOS desktop software utilizing C#, C++ and macFUSE. These applications enhanced the accessibility and convenience of Livedrive's services across various platforms.

Software Engineer

• Conducted full stack development on whitelabel client websites, employing PHP and MySQL on the backend to handle data storage and processing, while utilizing JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS on the front-end to create interactive and visually appealing user interfaces.
• Developed backend systems responsible for powering the quoting services and integrating external financial APIs. Leveraged the capabilities of Ruby on Rails to ensure efficient and reliable data retrieval and processing.
• Produced engaging flash marketing materials to effectively promote the Google Compare brand and the brands of our clients. These materials aimed to captivate the target audience and generate interest in the services offered.

Software Engineer

• Engaged in full stack development across multiple agency client projects, employing PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS. This encompassed both backend and frontend aspects, ensuring seamless functionality and appealing user interfaces.
• Created several web applications with a focus on social media integration. These applications seamlessly integrated with social API feeds, harnessing the power of platforms such as Facebook and other social media channels.
• Successfully developed Facebook apps and other embeddable social media applications. Leveraging my expertise in JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS, I crafted engaging and interactive experiences that resonated with users across various social media platforms.

• A-level Computer Science, Media Studies, Psychology, General Studies
• AS-level English Literature

• A-C grades in English, Maths, Science, Design, Art, Computer Science, French, Geography and RE