Available for Freelance

Michael J.

Technology Consultant

Leading high-performing engineering teams to build scalable, user-centric products. Specialized in modern web architecture, UI/UX excellence, AI integration, and secure payment systems.

About

I’m a seasoned Head of Engineering with over a decade of experience building high-performing engineering teams and delivering large-scale, user-centric software solutions. At Ding, I lead 30+ engineers across web, mobile, and backend, driving initiatives in cloud architecture, DevOps, security, and modern UI/UX-focused development. Alongside my leadership role, I offer freelance technology consultancy for startups and established companies—providing full-stack development, AI integration, security audits, and strategic technical guidance. My passion lies in combining technical excellence with thoughtful design to help teams build reliable, scalable products that users love.

Services

Freelance engineering services for startups and established companies

Full Stack Development

End-to-end software development using React, Node.js, .NET, MongoDB, and modern technologies. Building scalable applications with clean architecture and best practices.

AI Consultancy

Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance your development workflow. Experience with GitHub Copilot, AI-powered development, and implementing AI solutions.

Security Audit

Comprehensive security assessments following OWASP best practices. PCI compliance expertise, WAF configuration, and cloud security architecture reviews.

Tech Stack

Technologies and tools I work with regularly

React

Frontend

React Native

Mobile

Expo

Mobile

Node.js

Backend

.NET

Backend

MongoDB

Database

GitHub Copilot

AI Tools

Cloudflare

Infrastructure

AWS

Cloud

TypeScript

Language

Next.js

Framework

Express

Backend

Expertise

A comprehensive skill set built over a decade of hands-on engineering and leadership experience.

UI/UX Excellence
Passionate about crafting intuitive, performant user interfaces. Deep experience with modern React, responsive design, and web performance optimization.
React/Next.jsDesign SystemsPerformanceSEOAnalytics
AI & ML Integration
Building intelligent features and leveraging AI to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency.
AI IntegrationML PipelinesIntelligent FeaturesAutomation
Security & Compliance
Implementing robust security practices, monitoring systems, and ensuring data protection across all layers.
Security Best PracticesData ProtectionMonitoringCompliance
Payments & Fintech
Extensive experience with payment systems, transaction processing, and fintech infrastructure.
Payment GatewaysTransaction SystemsFintech ComplianceAPI Integration
Cloud Architecture
Leading cloud-first initiatives with containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and scalable infrastructure.
AzureDocker/K8sCI/CDMicroservicesGatsby Cloud
Team Leadership
Building, mentoring, and leading high-performing engineering teams. Strong experience with Agile and Kanban methodologies.
Team BuildingMentorshipAgile/KanbanStakeholder Management

Experience

10+ years of progressive growth from junior developer to engineering leadership at a fast-paced fintech company.

Head of Engineering

Ding
Jul 2022 - Present3+ years

Leading a team of 30+ engineers across web, mobile, and backend. Driving technical strategy, cloud migrations, containerization, and modern CI/CD practices. Close collaboration with CTO on engineering strategy and stakeholder management.

  • Led migration of WAF for 75 applications to Cloudflare with zero downtime
  • Led company migration to cloud-first architecture
  • Redeveloped department structure providing a platform for continued development and growth for engineers
  • Maintained PCI v4 compliance and implemented OWASP security best practices
  • Led company to a period of 6 months with 0% downtime
  • Led migration to Bitbucket Pipelines and Gatsby Cloud
  • Spearheaded cloud-first initiative with Azure and containerization
  • Established best practices for security, monitoring, and data
  • Developed hiring, onboarding, and mentoring programs

Engineering Team Lead

Ding
Jan 2021 - Jun 20221.5 years

Coordinated web developers across 3 teams. Led complete rewrite from .NET to React/Redux/Contentful. Developed deep passion for UX and worked closely with design and product teams.

  • Reduced page load time from 8.5s to <2s avg through optimization
  • Mentored junior developers in best practices and career growth
  • Led complete site rewrite to React/Redux architecture
  • Spearheaded Ding Snapchat Mini project
  • Integrated third-party solutions (Facebook/Google login, Trustpilot, OneSignal)
  • Implemented comprehensive testing strategy (auto/system/unit tests)

Freelance Mobile Developer

Independent
2018 - 20213 years

Built cross-platform mobile applications using React Native with Node.js backends and MongoDB databases. Delivered complete solutions from architecture to deployment for various clients.

  • Developed full-stack mobile apps with React Native and Expo
  • Built RESTful APIs using Node.js and Express
  • Designed and implemented MongoDB schemas for scalable data storage
  • Integrated third-party APIs including Stripe payments and authentication services

Senior Engineer

Ding
Jun 2020 - Jan 20218 months

Focused on technical delivery and architecture decisions for web platform.

Mid Level Web Developer

Ding
Jun 2017 - Jun 20203 years

Core development work on web platform with focus on performance and SEO.

Junior Web Developer

Ding
Nov 2015 - Jun 20171.5 years

Started career building foundational skills in web development.

Education & Certifications

Higher Diploma in Computer Science

Dublin Business School • GPA 3.85 • 2019-2020

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

I.T.B Blanchardstown • GPA 3.9 • 2013-2015

Team Kanban Practitioner

Lean Kanban University • 2017

CCNA Certificate

Cisco • Data Networking • 2011-2013

Let's Work Together

I'm available for freelance consulting and contract work. Whether you need help with technical leadership, architecture design, UI/UX excellence, or team building, I'd love to hear from you.

Send a Message
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Open to Opportunities

• Full-time & Contract roles

• Technical consulting

• Architecture reviews

• Team coaching & mentorship

• Speaking engagements