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# Joe Nelson
# Senior Software Engineer
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Senior Software Engineer with 13+ years experience delivering scalable web platforms across Ruby and TypeScript ecosystems.

Strong focus on domain modelling, pragmatic system design, and working closely with stakeholders to deliver high-value solutions. Experienced in modernising systems, navigating complex requirements, and identifying high-impact changes that maximise business value.

Proven ability to take ownership of critical systems, mentor engineers, and improve team effectiveness.

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# Experience
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2023_06 - Present | Funding Circle US → iBusiness (TUPE)
- Worked on a large-scale distributed system of Rails services deployed on AWS, collaborating across teams using contract-driven APIs (Swagger/OpenAPI)
- Contributed to development of new user flows using microfrontend architecture prior to acquisition
- Migrated and modernised legacy Rails systems following acquisition, aligning with a shift towards a Node.js/React stack
- Rebuilt a core system from Rails into a Node.js + React service, integrating with multiple upstream and downstream systems
- Took ownership of a second core system, leading major rewrites as requirements evolved and maintaining a Rails + Node (BFF) + React architecture
- Led early development of a spreadsheet-like SaaS product, defining architecture (ADRs), building initial implementation, and guiding other engineers
- Designed and implemented a Python (AWS Lambda) service for XLSX processing to integrate with the wider platform
- Mentored engineers across frontend and backend, supporting onboarding, sharing best practices (DDD, testing, code structure), and guiding development workflows
- Established onboarding resources and engineering standards, including maintaining a domain glossary, writing development guides, and improving consistency across repositories
- Provided detailed PR reviews and architectural feedback (ADRs), helping improve code quality and system design across the team
- Collaborated with stakeholders to shape technical approaches and delivery strategy in a fast-changing environment with evolving business requirements
- Contributed to adoption of AI-assisted development workflows (e.g. Copilot, Cline), improving developer productivity and iteration speed
- Evaluated AI tooling (including Vercel AI workflows) and provided recommendations based on practical team usage
- Helped shape internal AI SDLC practices, including improving context usage and integrating internal ChatGPT tooling into development workflows

2021_02 - 2023_03 | CvPartner
- Contributed to the migration from a MongoDB document store to an event-sourced PostgreSQL architecture, improving data modelling and system flexibility
- Refactored legacy JavaScript frontend to TypeScript, improving maintainability and developer experience
- Delivered new features in a large multilingual Rails application deployed on AWS and Kubernetes
- Applied strong domain-driven design principles, improving domain clarity (e.g. separating career roles vs project roles in core data model)
- Collaborated within a team to incrementally modernise a legacy monolith while maintaining delivery speed

2020_01 - 2020_11 | KoruKids
- Delivered features and refactoring work in a Rails + React application within a cross-functional product team (engineering, design, domain experts)
- Took ownership of complex refactoring tasks, reducing technical debt while supporting rapid feature development
- Contributed to a public-facing product with A/B testing, supporting data-driven product decisions
- Adapted quickly to rapidly changing requirements during COVID-19, delivering urgent business-critical changes under time pressure
- Maintained delivery momentum in a reduced team as contractors rolled off during the pandemic

2018_01 - 2019_12 | Bluespot
- Delivered multiple client projects as part of an agency team, building Rails applications with PostgreSQL and React/ERB frontends (Heroku-based deployments)
- Worked directly with clients to elicit requirements using domain-driven design, translating business needs into technical solutions
- Led regular client sessions to review progress, refine priorities, and adapt scope based on evolving business goals and budget constraints
- Balanced delivery and scope by advising on trade-offs, ensuring continuous progress while maintaining alignment with client objectives
- Contributed to a highly iterative development process with TDD, frequent releases, and early delivery of working software
- Built systems across multiple domains, including a medical application, an aviation training planning tool, and a global marketing templating platform

2012_09 - 2017_12 | OnApp
- Reduced database size from 600GB to <100GB by redesigning data storage model, significantly improving query performance and enabling new query capabilities
- Built internal reporting tools allowing non-technical teams to self-serve analytics across clients, licenses, and infrastructure
- Improved reliability by identifying and resolving critical issues, including SQL cluster split-brain, incorrect financial calculations, and missing audit history
- Increased test coverage and reduced flakiness by overhauling RSpec and Cucumber test suites, significantly improving test execution time
- Supported high-throughput data ingestion systems, diagnosing and resolving production issues (Sidekiq queues, Linux systems) via on-call rota
- Contributed to hiring by interviewing and assessing engineering candidates

2012 | BSc Computer Science (2:1), University of Sheffield
- Member of Sheffield University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC)
- Progressed to Mod 3 (pre-Sandhurst level)
- Qualified Physical Training Instructor (PTI), planning and delivering training sessions for groups of up to 100 people
- Conducted risk assessments and ensured safe execution of training activities

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# Technologies
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Ruby on Rails, RSpec
TypeScript, Node.js, React
PostgreSQL, SQL
AWS, Kubernetes, Linux/Unix
HTML, CSS