Reece Russell

Software Engineer

About me

I am a highly competent software engineer with experience building large scale distributed systems and a range of web-based applications. I have proven expertise building custom backend systems and APIs from the ground up. As well as, leading web development projects within an Agile methodology.

I am mainly self taught and started learning JavaScript when I was twelve before moving on to C#. I have recently joined the systems and infrastructure team at Xapien, to support the build of new green-field projects as well as maintaining and improving the performance of existing systems. I started my career at a local software house building bespoke web applications for a number of clients, from SPAs to custom eCommerce sites.

I have two, level 4 diplomas, from British Computer Society; one in software development methodologies, and the other in software languages. Which, I believe at the time, I was the youngest person in the country to achieve these diplomas.

I have a passion for backend, distributed systems either using serverless technologies or microservices. I am always looking to improve my code and run it as efficiently as possible.

Experience

  • Cloud Engineer, Xapien

    May 2023 - Present

    I have recently joined Xapien's systems and infrastructure, to help build and architect a number of new green field projects, as well as maintain and improve the performance and reliability of a number of high-impact, core services. Within my first 2 months, I have delivered a new identity management system, with a consuming, new customer facing portal. As well as, improving the performance of a core database driver, by almost a factor of 10. I will be continuing to drive value by supporting the vast infrastructure, consisting of countless serverless processes, a range of database technologies, all across multiple different programming languages.

  • Software Engineer, The Body Shop

    March 2022 - May 2023

    Focusing on backend and infrastructure technologies, I'm involved in building our in-house multi-level marketing platform. Using technologies such as: C#.NET, Go, SQL, MongoDB and TypeScript to name a few. Coming in at a time where the platform is using a monolithic architecture, my plan is to continue to break down the platform into smaller, more scalable and performant micro-services, whilst continuing to build new features for the product.

    • Azure
    • C#
    • SQL/NoSQL
  • Software Engineer, Sainsbury's Tech

    Oct 2020 - March 2022

    A backend software engineer building and maintaining a range of internal platforms and APIs, written in .NET Core/C# using both REST and GraphQL. As well as, maintaining and developing cloud infrastructure on AWS and Azure using Terraform, and developing solution with both relational and NoSQL databse systems.

    • C#
    • Azure
    • AWS
    • Kubernetes
  • Software Developer, Prominent Media Ltd

    Sept 2018 - Oct 2020

    A full stack software engineer, working on a vast range of web-based solutions, from simple SPA websites using ReactJS to entirely custom eCommerce platforms. Using .NET Framework and .NET Core to build APIs powered by MySQL. As well as, using a number of different UI technologies, such as: ReactJS, jQuery, Web Forms and .NET MVC.

    • C#
    • JavaScript
    • Windows

Education

  • Software Language, Milton Keynes College

    Sept 2018 - July 2019

    With a focus on object-oriented and event-driven C#.NET, I explored the other main programming paradigms, including: procedural and functional programming. Alongside that, looking at best coding practises such as SOLID, commenting and documentation.

  • Software Development, Milton Keynes College

    Sept 2018 - July 2019

    Looking at the different approaches to software development and how teams work. Agile was the main focus, with session where I worked within an Agile development team following best practises. Alongside agile, I looked into waterfall and rapid application development, where I could weighing up the pros and cons of each methodology.

Training

  • Microsoft Technical Associate, HTML, CSS & JS

    HTML, CSS & JS

    Demonstrating fundamental skills and knowledge of HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript, and how the technologies can work together.

  • Managing Generation Z, LinkedIn Learning

    Leadership, Planning

    Although I may fall into the Gen-Z bucket, in this LinkedIn Learning course I strengthened my interpersonal leadership skills for managing a multi-generational workforce.