James Andrew Smith
Senior Software EngineerEmpathetic software craftsmen engineering scalable software solutions for 17 years, delivering impactful customer experiences and mentoring teams of engineers.
- Specializes in front-end architecture, performance, and developer experience; using React.js, TypeScript, and GraphQL
- Enjoys mentoring and contributing to open source; including contributions to Gatsby and Cypress
- Delivered 7 workshops and presentations at major conferences; focused on React.js, Redux, and GraphQL
- Uses system languages C# and Node.js to build scalable, distributed systems deployed with Kubernetes, docker, and native cloud solutions
Recent Professional Experience
Senior Software Engineer (64)
- MicrosoftRemoteDevelop distributed CMS , focusing on authoring tooling and content delivery, for support.microsoft.com, Office applications, and Windows. Influential technical leadership and mentorship across 5 teams.
TypeScript, React.js, Node.js, Next.js, Redux, GraphQL, Nx, C#, microservices, Azure, TDD, XP, git, Kanban
- Designed and implemented a scalable front-end architecture using React.js and Next.js, ensuring seamless performance under a load of 500M monthly requests and 2B+ users worldwide
- Spearheaded cross-team collaboration among 3 engineering teams to develop a federated GraphQL API, reducing user-facing latency by 90% and boosting satisfaction scores by 25%
- Championed TDD and XP principles across engineering teams, mentoring developers on E2E and component testing using Cypress, which cut support costs by 30% and enhanced code reliability
- Developed an open-source AI -driven forecasting tool to eliminate manual estimates, improving project timeline communication to leadership by 95% and streamlining decision-making processes
- Optimized CI pipeline efficiency by 80% through Yarn PnP integration, simplifying dependency management with Nx, and centralizing codebases into a mono-repository, reducing operational overhead
Lead Front-End Engineer
- Experience, LLCRemoteGuided all aspects of front-end development for 3 teams, communicated with stakeholders and executive leadership, ensured experiences that delight customers.
TypeScript, React.js, Node.js, Redux, TDD, Jest, Cypress, Docker, microservices, AWS, git, Scrum
- Designed a modular React.js-based UI component library, standardizing design language across 3 applications and accelerating feature delivery timelines
- Mentored 3 cross-functional teams on React.js, Redux, and TDD practices, fostering improved team productivity
- Pioneered the “Three Amigos” collaboration model, aligning engineering, product, and leadership teams, which reduced time investment by 75% and boosted team velocity by 20%
Senior Software Engineer
- VersionOne, CollabNetAtlanta, GA (Hybrid)Technical lead for over 3 high-profile features on flagship ALM product; including road mapping, time sheets and UI for domain-level filtering in an XP and TDD environment.
JavaScript, React.js, Redux, AngularJs, Backbone.JS, jQuery, C#, MVC.NET, Node.js, TDD, XP, gulp, git, Kanban
- Directed front-end modernization by transitioning proprietary JavaScript to ES6 modules, reducing technical debt by 30% and increasing developer productivity by 40%
- Aligned engineering organization to adopt React.js for new major features, resulting in a streamlined development process adopted by 5 teams across 2 key products, enhancing productivity and consistency
- Developed a React.js-based component library and design documentation, adopted by 4 teams, improving collaboration with UX team and ensuring UX consistency across products
- Owned high-impact OSS JavaScript SDK used by third party integrations; driving many internal business processes of Fortune 500 companies
Senior Software Engineer
- MATRIX Professional ServicesAtlanta, GA (Hybrid)Focused on full-stack development using C#, JavaScript, React, and TDD for major clients.
C#, MVC.NET, Node.js, JavaScript, React.js, jQuery, KnockoutJS, TDD, Jasmine, Karma, MSTest, Scrum, grunt, git
- Redesigned a major e-commerce checkout process, reducing user steps by 50% and enhancing the overall UX, contributing to a measurable increase in conversion rates
- Implemented comprehensive testing frameworks (Jasmine, Mocha, and Karma) with CI automation via Gulp and Grunt, reducing feature defects by ~60% and significantly enhancing product quality