Bokang Maela

Dynamic Senior Software Engineer with extensive experience at Blue Nickel Solutions, specializing in C# and RESTful APIs. Proven track record in optimizing UI performance and mentoring junior developers. Adept at implementing MVVM patterns and ensuring cross-browser compatibility, while fostering collaboration across teams to deliver high-quality software solutions.

Senior Software Engineer at Blue Nickel Solution (2024-10 – Present)

• Implement MVVM patterns, data binding, routing, and component lifecycles
• Write clean, strongly typed TypeScript code following project standards
• Integrate front-end components with RESTful APIs
• Implement client-side validation, error handling, and user feedback
• Optimize UI performance and manage state effectively
• Ensure responsive design and cross-browser compatibility
• Write and maintain front-end unit and integration tests
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs using ASP.NET Core
• Implement business logic using C# with clean architecture principles
• Design API contracts (DTOs), request validation, and versioning
• Implement authentication and authorization (e.g., JWT, OAuth, role-based access)
• Handle exception management, logging, and monitoring
• Optimize server-side performance and scalability
• Write unit tests and integration tests for services and controllers
• Design, maintain, and optimize relational database schemas
• Manage database migrations and schema versioning
• Ensure data integrity, security, and consistency
• Troubleshoot performance bottlenecks and query issues
• Collaborate on data modeling aligned with business requirements
• Integrate front-end Aurelia applications with back-end APIs
• Apply SOLID principles and separation of concerns
• Work with ORMs (e.g., Entity Framework Core) and raw SQL where appropriate
• Participate in architectural decisions and technical design reviews
• Ensure secure communication between system components
• Configure and maintain build pipelines (CI/CD)
• Support deployment and environment configuration
• Perform code reviews and enforce coding standards
• Monitor production issues and participate in root-cause analysis
• Maintain technical documentation and API specifications
• Collaborate with product owners, designers, and QA teams
• Participate in sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives
• Estimate tasks and deliver features within agreed timelines
• Mentor junior developers when required
• Continuously improve code quality and system reliability

Intermediate Software Engineer at Blue Nickel Solutions (2022-12 – 2024-10)

• Build and maintain desktop screens using WPF
• Support and refactor existing WinForms modules
• Apply established UI patterns (MVVM for WPF/Blazor, event-driven for WinForms)
• Implement form validation, data binding, and basic UI state management
• Fix UI defects and performance issues under guidance
• Ensure consistency with UX standards and design guidelines
• Implement business logic in C# following existing architecture and standards
• Develop and consume application services used by multiple client types
• Handle common error scenarios and implement structured logging
• Apply SOLID principles at method and class level
• Make improvements to existing codebases without introducing regressions
• Write and maintain SQL queries, views, and basic stored procedures
• Work with existing database schemas and data models
• Use ORMs or micro-ORMs as per project standards
• Assist with data migrations and schema updates under supervision
• Integrate UI layers with backend services and databases
• Consume REST APIs and internal service interfaces
• Follow established security and data access patterns
• Participate in code reviews and apply feedback constructively
• Write unit tests for new and modified functionality
• Perform basic integration testing for features delivered
• Debug issues across UI, service, and database layers
• Ensure changes meet acceptance criteria before handover to QA
• Maintain clear and readable technical documentation for owned features
• Participate actively in sprint ceremonies (planning, stand-ups, reviews)
• Break down assigned work into manageable tasks
• Provide realistic estimates for own work

Junior Software Engineer at Blue Nickel Solutions (2019-12 – 2022-12)

• Collaborate effectively with senior developers, QA, and analysts
• Support junior developers with guidance on well-known areas
• Assist in developing desktop UI components using WPF
• Maintain and update existing screens in WinForms
• Implement basic data binding, form validation, and UI event handling
• Fix UI bugs and layout issues based on specifications
• Follow UI patterns (e.g., MVVM in WPF) with guidance
• Ensure UI changes meet usability and consistency standards
• Write and modify C# code under guidance
• Implement simple business rules and application logic
• Consume existing service and repository layers
• Use basic asynchronous programming (async/await) when directed
• Handle common exceptions and add logging using existing frameworks
• Refactor small code sections with supervision to improve clarity
• Assist in developing and maintaining background processing using Windows Services
• Implement simple scheduled or long-running tasks as specified
• Monitor logs and assist in troubleshooting service issues
• Support configuration, deployment, and restart procedures
• Follow best practices for stability and resource usage under supervision
• Write basic SQL queries (CRUD operations)
• Work with existing relational database schemas
• Assist with fixing data-related bugs and inconsistencies
• Learn basic query optimization concepts (indexes, performance awareness)
• Assist in working with MongoDB collections
• Perform basic document queries and updates
• Understand differences between relational and document-based data storage
• Follow existing data access patterns and conventions
• Write basic unit tests for assigned components
• Perform manual testing of UI, services, and data changes
• Debug issues using logs, breakpoints, and guidance from senior developers
• Fix defects identified during QA or code reviews
• Ensure tasks meet acceptance criteria before submission
• Participate in daily stand-ups and sprint ceremonies
• Ask questions and seek clarification early when unsure
• Apply feedback from code reviews and retrospectives
• Keep task updates and commit messages clear and accurate
• Document implemented changes for handover and support

Bachelor of Science in Computing – Unisa

High School Diploma – Capricorn High School (2017-12)

Higher Certificate in Mathematics And Statistics – Unisa (2021-12)

National Certificate in Database Development – Ctu Training Solutions (2019-12)

National Certificate in System Development – Ctu Training Solutions (2018-12)