Hello, world!
I'm Mike - a Software Engineer in Cardiff with a broad knowledge of all aspects of the software development lifecycle. I am skilled in eliciting requirements, designing, coding and testing complex software systems using modern techniques and technologies.
I am experienced in a number of programming languages including Scala, Java, JavaScript and TypeScript and have a deep understanding of desktop and mobile operating systems such as Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.
I have worked within an agile team environment (Scrum and Kanban) using the source control tools Subversion and Git and I am familiar with continuous integration tools such as Jenkins and Hudson.
This is me!
Interests and Achievements
I have a keen interest in the Royal Air Force and the military in general; I have flown a winch powered glider, have taken part in aerobatics in a fixed-wing aircraft and completed an Accelerated Free Fall Skydiving course in which I have skydived 13 times.
I was a member of the Royal Naval Reserves in my spare time, and contributed to SkydiveUWE and the Technology society during my time at University.
My other hobbies include music, learning to play bass guitar, computer games modification, Virtual reality and motorbikes. I have recently been learning all about 3D printing and 3D modelling in Fusion 360.
Key Skills
- Software design using UML
- Source Control using Git and Subversion
- Scala, Java, JavaScript and TypeScript Programming
- Web Development using HTML5 and CSS3
- Web Server Admin with Apache & IIS
- Knowledge of SOAP and RESTful web services
- XML Technologies such as XQuery, XSLT & XPath
- Experience with MySQL, SQL Server and Postgres
- Testing with JUnit, Expect and Selenium Server
- Extensive knowledge of Windows, Linux and macOS
Software projects
FAHView
Archived:
Final year University project. Viewer application to display information from a Folding@Home client.
FAHWeb
Archived:
Extension of work on FAHView. To create a web front end to control Folding@Home v7 clients.
FAHServices
Extension of work on FAHWeb. To create a REST API to be used by a web front end to control Folding@Home v7 clients.
jFold
Java 11 Library to connect and call functions of the Client Remote Interface in a Folding@Home v7 Client.
3D printing projects
Guitar
How I built an Electric Guitar with a 3D printed body from scratch.
OpenRC F1
How I printed my OpenRC F1 car, Designed by Daniel Norée. This project was one of the main reasons I got into 3D printing in the first place.
OpenRC Truggy
This is the logical advancement of the radio controlled OpenRC F1 car. It uses off the shelf metal parts in place of some of the original 3D printed ones.
Red Rocket Truck Stop
How I built the Red Rocket Truck Stop from Fallout 4.
3D printers
Anet A8
This project was to assemble my first 3D printer with the premise to eventually make it better by upgrading components and 3D printing improved parts.
Voron 0.2
Printing parts to build and assemble the smallest of the Voron 3D printers, the Voron 0.2.
Voron 1.8
The steps I have taken to print and source parts to assemble a Voron 1.8 3D printer.
Voron 2.4
Building another Voron... The Voron 2.4 with it's flying gantry.
Electronics projects
Eurorack Modular Synth
Building a Eurorack Modular Synthesizer from scratch.
Klipper Fan Hat
Making a Raspberry Pi Hat based on the Klipper Expander, to control additional fans using the Pi as a Secondary MCU in Klipper Firmware, the Klipper Fan Hat.
Macro Pi
A 3D printed macro keyboard based on the Raspberry Pi Pico.
Solar Wi-fi Weather Station
I won an auction on ebay and there were 3 Wifi Weather Station PCBs and some other components in the lot, let's order the rest of the parts and assemble them.
How I've got here!
Senior Software Engineer
February 2018 - Present (6 years, 7 months)Senior Java Developer
March 2014 - February 2018 (3 years, 11 months)Unite Students (Bristol)
Supporting Student and Group websites utilising Oracle Fusion Middleware. Projects include visual redesign of Corporate website to use new corporate branding and the launch of brand new responsive Students website. Current projects include integrating website with new back-end booking system and migrating current systems to new hardware.
Reservist
February 2014 - December 2015 (1 year, 10 months)Software Developer
August 2012 - February 2014 (1 year, 6 months)Quote Exchange, Brightside Group (Bristol)
Responsible for developing well designed and documented, highly scalable, highly available web based systems as well as providing day-to-day operational support and development. Current projects include creating an insurance comparison website using Java frameworks (Struts 2 and Spring) with Relational Databases (SQL Server and MySQL) and developing supporting websites to collect risk data for third party insurance companies. Previous project was to create a distributed regression test tool using Selenium Grid to automate the testing of websites.
Third Year BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
September 2011 - July 2012 (10 months)University of the West of England (Bristol)
- Advanced Topics in Web Development [54%]
- Components and Services [50%]
- Computing Project [60%]
- Embedded Systems Development [67%]
- Professional, Legal & Commercial Issues [52%]
- Requirements Engineering [64%]
Information Systems Technical Support
July 2010 - August 2011 (1 year, 1 month)University of the West of England (Bristol)
Administrator for the one of the Faculty of Environment and Technology’s Databases (FOLD); Duties included supporting administration staff with database queries and HTML reports, writing technical documentation using the Docbook documentation standard, updating look and feel of publicly accessible pages to be more in-line with main University website and a member of the design team for the new SQL Server database and started translation and migration of existing data to the new .Net based system.
Back of House Specialist
December 2009 - August 2012 (2 years, 8 months)Apple Retail (Bristol)
Inventory control for a large technology retailer. Main Duties include the timely and accurate receiving, tracking and maintenance of store merchandise in the store and stock room and to support the front of house team so that they can meet and exceed the customers' needs.
Second Year BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
September 2009 - July 2010 (10 months)University of the West of England (Bristol)
- Client-Server Programming [79%]
- Computer Networks and Operating Systems [71%]
- Data, Schemas and Applications [74%]
- Project Management [70%]
- Software Design [83%]
- Software Engineering [53%]
Supervisor Security Officer
June 2009 - September 2009 (3 months)RMB & Associates Ltd (Bristol)
Retail Security Officer working in stores such as Topshop and Outfit. Responsibilities involved dye tag density checks, incident reporting, bag checking and store patrols.
First Year BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
September 2008 - July 2009 (10 months)University of the West of England (Bristol)
- Analytical Modelling [87%]
- Computer Science Concepts [80%]
- Computer Systems [65%]
- Information Systems Application Contexts [59%]
- Introduction to Program Development [92%]
- Systems Development [72%]
Contract Support Officer
August 2007 - May 2008 (9 months)Securitas Security Services (Milford Haven)
Static Security Officer during the construction of South Hook LNG, Milford Haven, one of the largest Liquefied Natural Gas re-gasification Terminal in Europe. Responsibilities included physical security of the facility, access control, site patrols and vehicle searches.
Parts Advisor
July 2004 - August 2007 (3 years, 1 month)Green Bower Garages (Slebech)
Duties included stock control, satisfying all customer requirements and increasing all aspects of the BMW car parts and accessories business through direct selling, vehicle workshop and body shop.
Advanced Level Qualifications
September 2002 - July 2004 (1 year, 10 months)Pembrokeshire College (Haverfordwest)
- Double Award AVCE in ICT [B,B]
- Advanced Subsidiary Physics [E]
General Certificate of Secondary Education Qualifications
September 1997 - July 2002 (4 years, 10 months)Sir Thomas Picton School (Haverfordwest)
- Eight Full Course [Seven Grade C and Above]
- Two Short Course [A and B]