Matthew Balaam

Hands-on code-focused lead for the UI stack managing and mentoring in a “chapter” of 4 inside larger cross-functional team. Set of React Router 7 (Remix) SSR apps using accessible (WCAG 2.1 AAA) component library deployed to AWS infrastructure with Github actions and comprehensive automated testing.

• Architected and built React Router 7 SSR apps using shared “Optimus” platform hosted on AWS Lambda NodeJS calling microservices via REST API.
• Worked with product, design and backend teams to plan and deliver new features.
• Ensured timely delivery of new features pragmatically across the UI team balancing delivery and quality demands.
• Conducted Github code reviews taking a mentoring approach to help team members grow their skills, explaining the reasoning behind suggestions.
• Themeable component library built from using a mix of bespoke code and headless UI packages with a focus on web accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AAA) and performance. Figma designs used as reference.
• Added RBAC permissions for apps.
• Introduced Zod-based schemas for forms, closing the contract circle with the backend to reduce potential for data or API errors.
• Diagnosed and mitigated performance issues in relating to AWS IaC reducing app latency (in extreme cases) up to 10 times.
• Migrated simulated jsdom/Jest component tests to browser-based Playwright tests with features like a mocked API layer using MSW for quick test development and easy DX, visual snapshot testing for confidence against regressions across multiple browsers and automated web accessibility testing.

React/Typescript SPA with REST for handling customer creation and scheduling of multi-channel marketing campaigns. Redux for data fetching and state management, charts for data visualisation. Agile/Scrum environment. See full details

Building features on two React SPAs in the corporate intranet sector. An established product using React and Redux and a greenfield product using React with Apollo/GraphQL. See full details

Building cross-platform adaptive-music desktop app Filmstro Pro: A React/Redux app inside Electron using a lower-level audio binary. See full details

Developed websites and e-learning courses for the education sector. See full details

Providing web design and development services to a variety of clients. See full details

Design conception through to final artwork on a very broad range of print and digital projects. Working in a collaborative design team. Liaising with all departments, as well as external clients and printers. See full details

Print and some digital work using applications including Illustrator, Photoshop, Fireworks and QuarkXPress in a time-critical daily newspaper work environment. See full details