Thomas Rickard

tom@thomasrickard.uk

07769249586

Bournemouth (soon)


Profile

I am a software engineer with a broad range of experience and engineering knowledge. My current strengths include serverless-focused AWS, TypeScript, Node.js and React, while being more than willing to get stuck in and adapt on the fly.

I am currently looking for full stack work, leveraging serverless (AWS) technologies and TypeScript.

- 6 years commercial full stack experience.
- 3 years TypeScript/React/AWS.
- Happy to commute to LDN/BHM ~twice per month.

Current focus

Application - backend
  • AWS CDK-based applications using TypeScript.
  • Designing and implementing GraphQL/RESTful APIs with AppSync, API Gateway, and lower level solutions.
  • NoSQL/SQL databases (DynamoDB, PostgreSQL) with a solid understanding of OLTP vs OLAP workloads.
  • Integrating the vast catalogue of AWS services (Cognito, Step Functions, IoT Core, Kinesis, EventBridge etc.).
Application - frontend & design
  • Figma.
  • React (CRA, Next, Remix), Tailwind.
  • Have used Apollo Client, native hooks, Redux.
  • Testing with Jest and RTL
Devops & management
  • CI/CD with Github Actions.
  • Solid understanding of AWS and IaC (CDK, Org formation, Account structures etc.).
  • Clickup, Jira, Agile workflows.
Certificates

Previous Work

Freelance & Facet Labs Co-founder, 2021 - 2023(details)
  • Design and build of prototype diamond sorting machines.
  • Machine control via a web stack, with React-based interfaces and Apollo Client state management.
  • Embedded (in-machine) Node.js server using TypeScript, GraphQL and XState.
  • AWS integration for control, metrics and updates - Predominantly AWS IoT, AppSync, Lambda, DynamoDB and Cloudwatch.
  • CAD/CAM.
  • Rapid prototyping including 3D printing, CNC machining and casting.
  • Producing production designs and drawings for parts.
Xor Systems, 2016 - 2021(details)
  • Fullstack, devops and design work.
  • Progressively modernising architecture/infrastructure for several projects. Splitting out monoliths into services and decoupled frontends.
  • IoT systems: Environmental monitoring devices sending data back to core applications.
  • Ecommerce: Lightwieght static sites with NextJS and Snipcart.
  • AWS: Serverless design including Lambda, DynamoDB, Cognito and more.
  • Other technologies used included PHP, Node.js, TypeScript, Baremetal Linux Machines (CentOS), VMs, Ansible, Docker, RabbitMQ, ReactJS, Git, Jira, Figma.
UAV Internship: Southampton University, Summer 2014(details)
  • Manufacturing of an autonomous UAV aircraft for use by Kent police force.
  • In charge of electrical looms.
  • Prepared aircraft for fight tests.
Southampton University Formula Student Team, 2012-2015

Previously used skills summary

  • Web Architecture: Request-response and event based systems, backend services, SPAs, message buses. Bare-metal and cloud experience.
  • Devops - Containerisation (Docker), provisioning and deployment (Ansible, AWS EC2), monitoring (InfluxData Stack, Grafana), CI/CD.
  • Languages - Predominantly JavaScript. Have used Python, PHP, C.
  • Databases - Predominantly MySQL. Have used MongoDB and Postgres.
  • Frameworks - Predominantly ExpressJS and React-based frameworks. Have used Flask, Django and Codeigniter.
  • Prototyping - Mechanical and electronics design. CAD/CAM and one off manufacturing.
  • Misc Tools - Figma, Jira, Clickup, Git, Linux.

Education

Southampton University, 2011-2015

  • Graduated with an 2:1 MEng in Aeronautics & Astronautics.
  • Specialised in computing and composites.

Warwick School, 2009-2011

  • 3 A-levels in Mathematics (A), Physics (A) and Computing (A*).
  • 1 AS-level in Geography.