Current Contract Positions
OCLC, Sheffield: March 2013 - present: Senior Java Developer
Duties: Part of the acceleration program to increase the functionality in the companies cloud services for libraries was involved in new and major refactoring of functionality. Specific roles where to performance tune a number of the services and act as mentor and technical resource for all JPA related issues. Ran daily SCRUM sessions for the development team and oversaw design and review of stories in each iteration.
Tech Skills: Java, JPA/Hibernate, Spring Framework, SpringMVC, Spring Integration, GIT / SVN, Maven, Tomcat, XML, SOAP, CSS, Agile, Scrum, Jira / Greenhopper, Jenkins, JUnit, Intellij.
Equinox Publishing Ltd, Sheffield: June 2008 - present: IT Development Lead Consultant Duties: Development and support manager for all IT systems for this book and journal publisher. Manager for all system development that supports online cataloguing, editing and purchasing of academic journals and books. Support and hosting of websites and liaison with third parties to provide data extracts, feeds and technical advice.
Tech Skills: PHP, Java, SpringMVC, Lucene, JPA, Apache, Tomcat, MySQL, MS SqlServer, CSS, HTML5, Javascript, XML, Jboss, Amazon AWS (EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront) Git, IntelliJ IDE, ONIX, RSS, ASP, Paypal integration, Google checkout.
Historical Contract Positions
Hermes UK, Morley, Leeds: Nov 2012 – March 2013: Senior Java Developer
Duties: Complete rewrite of the myHermes parcel delivery system using SpringMVC, Magnolia, JPA, Spring Security, and Oracle in a SOA. Project managed through Agile / SCRUM methodologies with 2 week sprints, BDD and TDD processes. Acting as a technical resource, developer and mentor for re-skilling of Hermes IT staff.
Tech Skills: Java, Spring Framework, Spring Webflow, SpringMVC, Spring Integration, Spring Security, Magnolia, GIT, Maven, Tomcat, XML, SOAP, CSS, HTML5, jQuery, Agile, Scrum, Jira/Greenhopper, FishEye, Jenkins, JUnit, SubSteps, TDD, BDD, UX, Intellij & Eclipse IDE.
Technophobia Ltd, Sheffield: Jun 2012 - Nov 2012: Senior Java Developer
Duties: Development of new online driving test booking website primarily for the mobile and tablet market. 10 week fully agile project driven by Technophobia and working with DSA and Capita with 2-week sprint cycles. Application is a web client interfacing to a legacy system using web services. Standard Spring technologies used (Webflow, MVC, Integration).
Tech Skills: Java, Spring Framework, Spring Webflow, SpringMVC, Spring Integration, Spring Security, GIT, Maven, Tomcat, SOAP, CSS, HTML5, jQuery, Agile, Jira/Greenhopper, FishEye, Hudson, Ubuntu Linux, JUnit, SubSteps, BDD, UX, Eclipse, Intellij IDE.
South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield: Feb 2011 - June 2012: Senior Java Developer
Duties: Development of new internal applications for the police force for protecting vulnerable people. N-tiered architecture developed using JSF Rich-faces, Spring, Web-services and Oracle PL/SQL. Agile and TDD development using of 4 week sprints and the Scrum processes.
Tech Skills: Java J2EE, Maven, Jetty/Tomat, Apache, Spring Framework, JSF RichFaces, PL/SQL, CSS, Ajax, XML, JMX, jQuery Spring Security, XML, Agile, Windward, Hudson, AOP, Junit, SVN, Oracle, Jetty, Glassfish and Intellij IDE.
UFI LearnDirect, Sheffield : Feb 2006 – Jan 2011 : Technical Architect / Developer
Duties: Architecting, Designing and Developing systems for this e-learning company. As part of the architecture team my main role is to take business requirements and translate them into robust, scalable solutions. The major part of my current work is the development of a distributed system interfacing to a CRM system (Siebel). Agile software development approach to delivery, utilising SCRUM, pair programming, TDD and Agile stories. This involves providing solutions to connectively between systems and garenteed delivery mechanisms utilising persistent message queues. The projects also include restful web services to support new front end systems and SOAP WS to interface into the new CRM system.
Other systems include the architecture for the integration of the LSC's MIAP web services to obtain unique learner numbers for students. A financial system to perform funding calculations & payments, a PIMS for cataloguing, controlling workflow and export of product data to downstream systems again using publishing (Spring Batch) and SOA (ESB) frameworks .
Initial work was the complete re-design and re-write of the learnDirect web-site in 'vertical' slices using J2EE technologies. This role included, the design of the domain and its’ mapping to on to the legacy database schema; developing best practice for the application in model, integration, services and web layers; Investigation of new technologies to support the design of the application; Performance tuning of the system and the review of teams members code. Key technologies used are Hibernate 3, Spring 2, Struts 2, XML, JAXB, ESB, SOA, Jboss, Linux, Java 6 and Oracle 10g/11.
Tech Skills: Java 1.6 / J2EE, Hibernate 3, Unix, Hibernate Search, Lucene, JSP/Servlets, Struts (1 & 2), JSON, Spring Web Flow, Spring MVC, Restful services, javascript, CSS, Ajax, Spring Framework, Spring Batch, JMS, JMX, XML, Agile, Jboss 4 / Websphere and Apache HTTP Server, IIS. Oracle 10
RDBMS, MySQL, Ant, Cruise-control, Rational Rose UML, AOP, PHP, Rails,
Junit/dbUnit/HttpUnit/JWebUnit, CVS, SVN, and MyEclipse IDE.
Northgate-IS, Nottingham : Nov 2005 – Feb 2006 : Senior Java/J2EE Developer
Duties: Green field development Northgate’s Compass product, which the standard for police services UK wide. Complete new architecture of existing product, utilising Java, J2EE, the Spring framework, hibernate, document-literal style Web services and Struts/JSP/servlet front-end. Main responsibilities were the back-end development of the compass product; web-service integration and writing of functional test suites. The project used a test driven approach to development leveraging Spring’s support for unit testing and non-EJB deployment, along with Cruise Control.
Tech Skills: Java / J2EE JSP, Struts, Spring Framework, JDBC, Hibernate, EJB, JMS, Axis, Castor, Servlets, Tomcat, Jboss (4), Weblogic (8.1) and Apache HTTP Server, Oracle 9i RDBMS, MS SqlServer, Ant, UML, AOP, Design Patterns, JUnit, SVN, Eclipse, SOAP / document-style web services.
FLYBE, Exeter : May 2005 – Nov 2005 : Senior Java/J2EE Developer
Duties: Developing a new E-commerce web site development for this low fares airline. This system, (now live) running Apache/Tomcat on Linux servers, handles thousands of customers daily. Involved in the development of both front end and server side processing. Front-end development involved writing JSPs (supported by Struts & Spring framework) and client side validation using Javascript. Back end development consisted of communications to the legacy airline reservation system (SHARES) and on-line payment system (Data Cache). Heavily involved in the transactional and financial analysis for the new product.
Tech Skills: Java / J2EE JSP, Struts, Spring Framework, JDBC, Hibernate, Javascript (cross browser development), CSS, Servlets, Tomcat and Apache HTTP Server, Oracle 9i RDBMS, Ant and AntHill, UML, AOP, Design Patterns, JUnit and EasyMock for TDD, Linux, PL/SQL, CVS, Eclipse, SOAP / web services, SHARES.
SIEMENS COMMUNICATIONS, Nottingham : Feb - May 2005 : Senior Developer
Duties: Senior role involving the analysis and development of a CRM command and control system for the police forces using J2EE and Web technologies. This work involved the refactoring and development of the product to improve performance and testability. Designed and developed a role based security system using an LDAP registry allowing modification through a Struts front-end and an interface based business layer. Extensive use made of dependency injection pattern and "test driven development" using the SPRING framework. Additional work involved supporting the legacy system with Weblogic specific performance and deployment issues.
Tech Skills: J2EE including EJB (SLSB/SFSB), JSP, Struts, Javascript, Servlets, UML, Design Patterns, IoC techniques using Spring framework, JUnit and EasyMock for TDD, LDAP Schemas, SSL, Unix, AOP, DHTML, Weblogic 8.1, Oracle 9iAS, Oracle RDBMS, PL/SQL, CLEARCASE, Ant, Eclipse, SOAP / web services and Apache HTTP Server.
ATTENTIV SYSTEMS, Sheffield : June 2004 – Jan 2005 :Java Integrator / Developer
Duties: Integrator and development role to provide security for the companies mortgage application system and development of new functionality. This initially involved the analysis of all interfaces between system components identifying which required a secure transport (SSL) layer and J2EE authentication/authorisation. Implemented the solutions utilising a number of technologies including JSSE (for securing RMI/IIOP and SOAP over SSL/HTTPS) and SAS & JAAS for authentication. A large part of the development made use of ANT, requiring the overhaul of build processes to support multiple "branding" of product and flexible build mechanism to cater for different clients. In addition, builds for multiple J2EE vendors required Xdoclet code to be extended to handle application specific descriptors.
Modifications to JBOSS open source code to handle specific SSL features.
After successfully completing the integration of security into the product, contract was renewed in order to work along side project manager to provide estimates for new functionality and develop the product for the next release. Provided mentoring and support for junior developers. Liased with external clients, providing prompt responses to security and other product issues. The development of new functionality included exposing business logic as web-services, utilising AXIS, JAXB, IBM Websphere MQ Series and XML schemas and transforms.
Tech Skills: Security system was developed using J2EE components on Websphere 5.1, IBM MQ Series and Jboss 3.26 with Oracle 9i, SQL Server RDBMS. IDE's Eclipse/WSAD. Server side technologies used were EJB (SLSB), MDB/JMS, Servlets, UML, Design Patterns, Hibernate, XML, JAXB, LDAP, Unix shell, RMI, JNI/C++ and Apache AXIS. Build tools included Ant, unix shell, Xdoclet,
UBS INVESTMENT BANK, Zurich : Mar – Nov. 2003 : J2EE / Java Analyst Programmer
Duties: Consultant for analysis and development of internal bank regulatory system for risk department. Developed application using J2EE technologies (EJB, JMS, Struts) on WebSphere 5 and Oracle 9i, utilising J2EE design patterns to separate presentation, business and persistent layers Documented system requirements and design. Acted as mentor of other staff for development of J2EE applications. Liased with end users in different business to gather requirements. Analysed P&L and market risk front-end systems to extract required information for new system.
Tech. Skills: System was delivered using Java, Oracle 9, Websphere 5 and IBM MQ Series with Struts front end and MDB and EJB components. Others technologies: C++ (for legacy code + CORBA), Ant, XML, XSLT, Clearcase, UML, Business Objects.
Self Employed - Oct. 1994 – Mar. 1997: Education manager
Duties: Senior manager of four I.T. training centres for a number of Further Education colleges. A very wide ranging role which gave me very useful people skills. Along with developing management skills, the role involved recruiting, appraising and mentoring staff, planning and budgeting resources, teaching students, preparing learning materials, and negotiating funding with external clients. My business employed 12 people, during which time I also prepared my own accounts and ran the payroll. During this time I also successfully trained (part-time) to be a qualified teacher.
Other Contracts 1992 - 2002
Skills : C/Pro*C, C++, SQL, Unix shell (ksh/bash), CORBA, Clearcase, CVS, JSP/servlets on Oracle 8i, Ingres, Informix RDBMS, Sybase, Powerbuilder 6, Cobal, SQL, Perl and Unix (Tcsh)shell and AS400 OS.
ORANGE PCS, BRISTOL : June 2000 - Jan. 2002 - Analyst / Developer
YORKSHIRE ELECTRICITY, LEEDS: Feb. 1999 - May 2000 - Team Lead and Analyst ARMATURE LTD, LEEDS : Aug. 1998 – Jan. 1999 - Analyst Programmer
GOLDMAN-SACHS & CO. BANK (ZURICH) : Sept. 1997 - July 1998 - Analyst Programmer SCT INTERNATIONAL LTD, MANCHESTER : Apr.– Sept. 1997 : Analyst Programmer
Past Permanent Positions
MICROLISE LTD, NOTTINGHAM : Jan - June 2004 : J2EE Development Team Leader
Duties: Responsible for overseeing the enhancement of a warehousing bespoke system for Waitrose running under Weblogic application server. The role included analysis and design of new functionality through liaison with the customer and engineering teams. Specific design areas were, increasing the scalability of the n-tier architecture, and analysing the performance through load testing of the system. The system was developed using J2EE technologies including the Struts framework, EJB's (Session Facades, Business Delegates patterns) for business logic and Hibernate for the data layer. This was a team-lead role, responsible for planning and assignment of work for development and test teams.
Additional tasks included the development of QA procedures for version control system (CVS), development on new functionality for Pocket PC using Embedded C++ and the enhancement of the build/deployment (Ant) system.
Tech. Skills: Systems delivered using Java 1.4/ J2EE (MDB, SLSB, Struts, Hibernate), DB2, WebLogic 6 IBM MQ Series. Others: CVS, Ant, UML, MS Project, Eclipse.
NCS PEARSON, SHEFFIELD : Feb. 2002 – Feb. 2003 : JavaTechnical lead
Duties: Main role was the development of applications for educational systems. Combinations of J2EE and .NET technologies were used with Oracle and SQL Server RDBMS. Lead consultant for all Java based applications within the company. Developed and documented Java/swing GUI client application for an on-line testing system that renders test items using XML and allows the "plug-in" of external items to allow tailoring of system for different countries/markets. Supported colleagues gain J2EE/Java skills by developing course materials, and by providing training and mentoring.
Tech. Skills: J2EE (Websphere 4), Struts, , Visual Studio.NET (C# ASP.NET) Java Swing, Eclipse, Ant, JBuilder 7, RUP, UML, SOAP, XML, XSLT, Oracle 9i and SQL Server 2000 RDBMS
SERVELEC LTD, SHEFFIELD : Sept. 1992 – Sept. 1994 - Software Analyst & Programmer
Education & Qualifications
MSc in Software Systems Technology – 1992 - University Of Sheffield
BEng (Hons.) Electrical & Electronic Engineering 2.1 – 1991 University Of Sheffield Certificate of Education - 1997 - Sheffield Hallam University
