Hello random internet person!
I'm Michael, an experienced Software Developer and continuous learner with a passion for creative solutions and precise execution.
Frontends are my passion since they are the human-machine APIs that make knowledge accessible to people, yet I've also found myself captivated by the latest AI developments, particularly drawn to Large Language Models and Models for generating synthetic media.
With 18+ years of work experience in various companies under my belt, I'm currently seeking new opportunities where I can make use of my skills, but also dip my toes in (yet) unfamiliar waters cause learning new things makes my brain tickle :)
Since you are here already, feel free to explore the rest of this page for more information about me. If you believe I could contribute to your project(s), I'd love to hear from you. Don't hesitate to get in touch!
Cheers,
About me
I love diving into complex problems and finding elegant solutions. I thrive in environments where creativity and analytical thinking are valued. When it comes to work, I'm all about efficiency and getting things done. I enjoy collaborating with others, but I also appreciate having the space to focus and work independently. My goal is to deliver high-quality solutions that meet the needs of users and stakeholders.
Commuting between Berlin and a small remote village in northern Germany, I am using my free time for "hardware development", essentially transforming an old factory building into a sustainable living space together with my husband.
Career & Education
Almost two decades of my personal history condensed in one table.
| Timespan | Position | Toggle achievements |
|---|---|---|
2022 - 2023 1 year, 10 months | Senior Software Developer UI/UX REMOTE ResearchGate GmbH, Berlin, Science & Research Platform Working on a site used by more than 25 million registered scientists and with 55+ million monthly visitors has proven to be both challenging and humbling, yet remarkably fulfilling.
| |
2019 - 2022 2 years, 5 months | Lead Frontend Developer REMOTE Exozet/Endava GmbH, Berlin, Multimedia Agency As a lead dev, I was close to client and responsible for several projects. I was kickstarting projects, onboarded new devs, coded, reviewed peoples’ code and was hands-on further down the road when things eventually got tricky. Clients & Projects:
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2018 - 2019 1 year | Certified Computer Science Expert (IHK) IHK Berlin, Berlin, Education I took a deliberate career break to pursue further education, primarily seeking formal recognition and accreditation in my field of expertise. Due to my previous work experience, I successfully completed the training in one year instead of the typical three. | |
2014 - 2018 4 years, 4 months | Senior Frontend Developer Erasys GmbH, Berlin, Gay Dating Platform Erasys is the engineering branch of romeo.com. As part of the frontend team, I was mostly working on a responsive SPA (Backbone/ MarionetteJS) used by ~100k concurrent users.
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2012 - 2014 1 year, 5 months | Frontend Developer fraisr GmbH, Berlin, Social Marketplace Fraisr was an underfunded early stage startup :) We created a marketplace from scratch where people could buy or sell things and donate to a charity at the same time. Despite all our best efforts, fraisr had do close down after about 2 years.
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2005 - 2012 7 years | Web Developer Self employed, Görlitz (GER), Miscellaneous After finishing school, I just started engaging in different online activities. Till today I can't really put a name on what I did. Web Developer seems to be the closest, probably.
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Skillset
A straightforward rundown of tasks tackled, areas worked in and problems solved over the years, no frills attached.
- User Interface (UI) Development
- Designing and implementing user interfaces that are visually appealing, intuitive, and responsive across various devices and screen sizes.
- Frontend Framework Management
- Utilizing frontend frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js to develop interactive and dynamic web applications.
- Performance Optimization
- Analyzing and optimizing code, images, and other frontend assets to ensure fast loading times and smooth user experience.
- Cross-Browser Compatibility Testing
- Ensuring frontends function consistently across different web browsers, to provide a seamless experience for all users.
- Responsive Design Implementation
- Implementing responsive design principles to ensure frontends adapt gracefully to various devices.
- Accessibility Compliance
- Ensure frontends meet accessibility standards (WCAG) to accommodate users with disabilities and provide an inclusive browsing experience.
- Code Maintenance and Version Control
- Regularly updating and maintaining codebases using Git, ensuring smooth collaboration among team members and efficient management of code changes.
- Performance Monitoring and Analysis
- Monitoring frontend performance metrics using tools like Lighthouse, and analyzing performance data to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
- Integration with Backend Systems
- Collaborating with backend developers to integrate frontend components with backend systems, ensuring seamless data flow and functionality across the entire application stack.
- Security Best Practices
- Implementing security best practices to protect frontends against common vulnerabilities such as XSS and CSRF, safeguarding user data and maintaining app integrity.
- Continuous Learning and Skill Enhancement
- Staying updated with the latest frontend development trends, technologies, and best practices through self-learning, online courses, workshops, and conferences.
- Bug Fixing and Troubleshooting
- Identifying and resolving bugs and issues reported by users or detected through testing, ensuring smooth and efficient operation at all times.
- Collaboration and Communication
- Collaborating effectively with designers, backend developers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements, provide input, and deliver high-quality solutions that meet business objectives.
- Documentation
- Documenting code, architecture, and design decisions to facilitate knowledge sharing, onboarding of new team members, and future maintenance of the codebase.
- A/B Testing and Experimentation
- Participating in A/B testing and experimentation initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness of design and functionality changes, and iteratively improve user engagement and conversion rates.
Techstack
A non-exhaustive overview of software, services, tools & technologies I got in touch with over the years (and still remember).
- Basics
- HTML(5), CSS(3), JavaScript (ES2015+), TypeScript, WCAG 2, WAI-ARIA, Git, Markdown, Yaml, Bash/Shell scripting
- Frontend Frameworks
- React, Remix, Next.js, Tailwind, Chakra-UI, Gatsby, Backbone.js, Angular.js, Vue.js, i18next, D3.js, Three.js
- State Management
- Jotai, Zustand, MobX, Redux
- Testing
- Jest, React Testing Library, Cypress, Storybook, React Styleguidist
- Build Tools
- Vite, Webpack, Parcel.js, Babel, Gulp, Grunt
- CSS Related
- CSS-in-JS, Sass, Less, Stylus, PostCSS, CSS-Modules, BEM
- Template Engines
- JSX, Pug/Jade, Mustache, Handlebars, Smarty, Twig
- CI/CD
- Gitlab, Github, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Github Actions
- Collaboration Tools
- Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Figma, Invision, Zepelin
- Accessibility
- WCAG, WAI-ARIA, AXE, WAVE
- Cloud Provider & Services
- Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Netlify, Vercel, Supabase, Firebase, Github Pages, Cloudinary, Contentful
- Backend / API / Communication
- REST, GraphQL, Websockets, WebRTC, OAuth
- Design Collaboration
- Figma, Miro, InVision, Adobe XD, Sketch, Zepelin
Contact
I'm absolutely delighted you made it till here. Did you find what you were looking for? If you want to get in touch, click the following link and I'll bring you right to your favorite email app, so that you can drop me a line:
hello@michael.engineer