Stephen Francis

Senior Full-Stack Engineer with deep expertise in React, TypeScript, Node.js and AWS, and 15+ years building scalable, secure, high-performance applications. Hands-on contributor with strong architectural capability, CI/CD experience, and a track record of improving performance, reliability and developer velocity. Comfortable leading technical direction while remaining fully engaged in coding, debugging, and system design.

Founding Engineer at Careerbook (2025-11 – Present)

Built and scaled a medical training event marketplace and training-tracking platform now used by 4 NHS Trusts.

• Designed and implemented the full MVP using React, TypeScript, Node.js and AWS.
• Built secure multi-tenant architecture with strong focus on performance, resilience and data protection.
• Implemented CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and IaC for reliable deployments.
• Led technical roadmap, but remained hands-on across frontend, backend, infrastructure and debugging.
• Introduced LLM-assisted workflows to increase development velocity and reduce cycle time.

Lead Full-Stack Developer at HelloSelf (2021-10 – 2025-11)

Led the Therapy Management engineering team (3–6 engineers) while contributing heavily to core codebases.

• Designed and implemented major features across React/Redux/TypeScript frontend and Scala/AWS backend.
• Planned and coordinated cross-team interface design between frontend and backend systems.
• Established company-wide React and Scala development standards.
• Introduced pair programming and improved code review discipline.
• Architected and delivered a full FinOps suite, including data model, backend endpoints and frontend UX.
• Developed Lambda@Edge logic for security, routing and environment management.
• Improved CI pipelines and strengthened data-security architecture.

Senior Front-End Developer at 6point6 / Bullet (2020-11 – 2021-10)

Co-developed the Fortress cybersecurity product using React, TypeScript, Gatsby and AWS.

• Migrated AWS resource management from Amplify to Terraform, reducing deployment time by 3×.
• Built Cognito-integrated Lambdas (pre-signup, post-confirm, group assignment, custom email flows).
• Implemented Lambda@Edge logic for multi-branch environments.
• Wrapped and integrated Companies House API for company-number lookup.
• Introduced Cypress and built full integration test coverage for core user flows.

Senior Full-Stack Developer at IndexLabs (2020-07 – 2020-11)

Brought stability and performance to a failing back-office redevelopment project.

• Introduced unit, integration and smoke testing; reorganised codebase and improved componentisation.
• Reverse-engineered legacy payment processing and delivered 3× performance and 5× reliability improvements.
• Improved routing, state management and UX consistency.

Contract Developer (Post-Administration) at Pricesearcher (2020-04 – 2020-06)

Delivered critical frontend support and feature development for the surviving technology assets.

Lead Front-End Developer at Pricesearcher (2018-08 – 2020-03)

Led frontend architecture and development for the search engine, static site and internal tools.

• Built and maintained React/TypeScript applications, server-side rendering with Node/Express/EJS on Lambda.
• Led a team of 4 across UX, CSS, JS/TS, and backend integration.
• Built fully automated CI/CD pipelines using Jest, Puppeteer, Cypress and Terraform.
• Ran product workshops, set technical goals, and improved performance and reliability across the platform.

Co-Founder at MOBdigital (2018-02 – 2018-08)

Architected and built a consumer PWA using React, Redux, Firebase and deep Google Analytics integration.

IT Director at Rullion Solutions Ltd (2010-04 – 2018-01)

Led architecture and development of the myRecruiter platform using React, Node, MongoDB and MySQL.

• Re-architected the entire product into a modern React/microservices stack.
• Mentored engineers through React adoption and modern frontend practices.
• Supported sales with technical demos and managed hosting infrastructure and technical support.
• Grew engineering capability through hiring, training and structured development.

Consulting and Technical Leadership Roles at Various (PwC, ABN AMRO, Pfizer, Dutch Ministry of Defence, and multiple startups) (1995 – 2010)

Consulting and technical leadership roles at PwC, ABN AMRO, Pfizer, Dutch Ministry of Defence, and multiple startups. Work included HRMS integrations, programme management, and early-stage product development.

BA (Hons) in Physics – University of Oxford