Zoltan Birner

Senior Software Engineer

Zoltan Birner

+44 7413 311 898

zoltan.birner.cv@gmail.com

Manchester, UK

Profile

A Senior Software Engineer skilled in resolving complex technical challenges through innovative solutions. Proven expertise in full-stack development using PHP, Node.js, React, and Laravel. Creative problem-solver skilled at optimising system performance and scalability. Mentor and leader focused on fostering team excellence through knowledge sharing and best practices. Committed to driving project success through strategic technical vision and hands-on software craftsmanship.

Experience

Senior Software Engineer

DRP UK January 2023 - Present

Excel in solving complex technical challenges and mentoring junior developers, utilizing my extensive technical expertise. This role transition underscores my commitment to driving project success through hands-on development and leadership in Frontend and Backend-focused initiatives.

  • Contributed to the architectural transition to multi-tenant systems using Laravel Spatie Multi-Tenancy and developed front-end as a service using Inertia.js and React with multi-component renderers, enhancing scalability and maintainability.
  • Upgraded a legacy Node.js application to Vite.js, implementing tree shaking and lazy loading. This resulted in a 43% improvement in loading speed and a 30% reduction in load time through bundle splitting.
  • Collaborated with the testing team to enhance the testing process using Cypress for end-to-end regression testing, resulting in more reliable and faster test cycles.
  • Delivered monthly engineering talks on Design patterns and AI, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development within the team.
  • Created and maintained an open-source VS Code extension called Postie, which allows developers to catch and inspect emails sent by their applications during development, all within the VS Code environment.

Technical Manager

DRP UK March 2022 - December 2022

Joined as a Technical Manager, where my primary responsibility was to coordinate the development of multiple B2B web applications.

  • Foster seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams including design and project management, ensuring cohesive project delivery aligned with both technical and business objectives.
  • Led sprint planning and retrospectives, ensuring adherence to Agile principles and continuous improvement.
  • Proactively identified and mitigated technical risks, ensuring preemptive measures are in place to minimise project disruptions and optimize performance.
  • Provide hands-on technical expertise and mentorship, ensuring best practices, code reviews, and solving complex technical problems to maintain quality standards according to the Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC).

Senior PHP Engineer

Onbuy.com March 2021 - March 2022

Contributed to the innovation and enhancement of Onbuy.com's platform as a Senior PHP Engineer, by focusing on system optimization, feature expansion, and machine learning solutions.

  • Developed, tested, and maintained existing systems using PHP 7.3, ensuring robust performance and reliability.
  • Built a Natural Language Processing-based product machine learning solution for an R&D project, enhancing the platform's categorization accuracy.
  • Expanded current features while maintaining efficient, low-payload server transmissions, optimising system performance.
  • Conducted peer code reviews of a bespoke PHP codebase to ensure adherence to coding standards and design guidelines, promoting high-quality code.

Lead developer (Node.Js & PHP)

Jensten Group January 2020 - March 2021

Led a dynamic team at Jensten Group (Datamatters Ltd.), driving the development of secure, high-quality software solutions and optimising API integrations to support the Group's insurance businesses.

  • Directed an in-house technology team, maintaining a sharp focus on the product backlog and project timelines to ensure timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.
  • Worked on mappings between different APIs, implemented OpenAPI Specification (Swagger) using Azure services, and led a small team of developers to ensure seamless integration.
  • Operated within an Agile environment, conducting daily scrum meetings and coordinating seamlessly with team members to streamline development processes.
  • Conducted meticulous peer code reviews of backend PHP and frontend React code to uphold stringent coding standards and design guidelines, ensuring consistency and quality across all projects.
  • Worked in an ISO27001 certified environment, adhering to information security standards and protocols, and ensured PCI Compliance and Web Application Security Standards.

Senior PHP, Node.Js Developer

Elegant Digital March 2019 - January 2020

I drove innovation and collaboration as a Senior PHP/Node.js Developer at ElegantDigital Ltd., leading a team of 5 developers to create cutting-edge solutions and streamline critical business processes.

  • Orchestrated the mentorship and leadership of a 5-member external development team, fostering excellence in execution.
  • Conducted thorough code reviews of backend PHP and frontend React and TypeScript code, focusing on best practices, code efficiency, and security.
  • Pioneered the adoption of the PIMCore framework for the development of sophisticated PIM, DAM, and CMS systems, alongside contributing to the creation of a bespoke API gateway.
  • Implemented robust Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines, ensuring seamless deployment and enhancing development efficiency.

Senior Software Developer

Prettylittlething.com July 2018 - March 2019

I joined the Integration Engineering Team, where my primary responsibilities included monitoring and maintaining communication between our warehouse and internal systems

  • Managed business-critical PHP7 applications using Zend 2 and Laravel, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
  • Elevated test coverage and bolstered system resilience through the implementation of new unit and feature tests (PHPUnit), resulting in a notable decrease in critical system downtime
  • Optimized database/query performance and maintained MongoDB instances and infrastructure for a high-throughput transactional system.
  • In the warehouse API team, quadrupled the queue worker performance, resulting in a 40% increase in processing speed and efficiency.
  • Rolled out a new bespoke system built on Laravel, DynamoDB, and API Gateway, Vue Js, Lambda functions, enhancing the company's technical capabilities and service offerings.

Full Stack Web Developer

SwitchMyBusiness.com March 2017 - July 2018

Actively participated in several projects that required extensive work with Salesforce, including data synchronisation between Salesforce and Laravel using Salesforce API.

  • Improved and maintained the landing page system, enhancing the user experience and engagement for one of the UK's fastest-growing business energy switching services.
  • Achieved a 40% reduction in AWS costs by optimising resources, including moving EC2 and Aurora instances to smaller, more cost-effective options.
  • Successfully migrated the Online Gas/Electric Switching section to Laravel, enhancing the system's performance, scalability, and security.

Full Stack Developer Node.js

iMarine Ltd. November 2016 - March 2017

Collaborated with the SeaProc Maritime eProcurement Core Team, where I played a pivotal role in the successful launch of a new inventory management product. I addressed and resolved significant technical challenges, including implementing robust data synchronisation solutions for maritime vessels. This involved ensuring real-time data integrity and availability across distributed systems.

  • Initiated the development of a cutting-edge hybrid inventory management system using Cordova, HTML5, and SQLite, focusing on cross-platform compatibility and efficient performance.
  • Designed and implemented a robust server architecture for the inventory management system using Node.js, Express.js, and SQLite, ensuring scalability and reliability.
  • Gained hands-on experience with Raspberry Pi, developing a low-powered, efficient data server to support the inventory management system.
  • Revamped and significantly simplified an overly complex user interface, enhancing user experience while preserving all essential functionalities.

Personal Project

Postie

VS Code Extension

Postie is a VS Code extension that allows developers to catch and inspect emails sent by their applications during development, all within the VS Code environment.