Mark Alexander Smith

9 Fairview Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2JH

T: 07795956602 | E: marksmith.ms804@gmail.com

Professional Profile

Experienced senior software engineer with over 5 years of expertise in full-stack development, and 7 years in the industry, specialising in .NET, Azure, and cloud technologies. Skilled in C#, .NET, Azure, SQL, JavaScript, and TypeScript, with comprehensive experience in microservice architectures, React, Angular, and DevOps practices. Proven track record in designing complex system solutions, implementing cloud migrations, and developing robust REST APIs. Demonstrated leadership in driving technical projects from conception to delivery whilst mentoring teams and collaborating across technical and business domains.

Professional Experience

Senior Software Engineer
Downing LLP
October 2023 – Present
  • Implemented CQRS and Mediator patterns to develop a sophisticated document generation tool for client services
  • Enhanced data security by implementing column-level encryption for sensitive payment-related SQL database columns
  • Architected financial applications using .NET, Azure, and SQL, following strict ISO standards
  • Participated in technical hiring and mentoring of junior developers and contractors
  • Implemented secure API gateways for financial transaction processing
  • Drove solutions from initial stakeholder discussions through to full production release
Technologies Used:
.NETC#AzureSQLCQRSMediator PatternAPI Gateway
Software Developer
Thinkproject UK, Gloucester
January 2021 – October 2023
  • Transformed legacy monolithic architecture to modern microservice architecture
  • Built infrastructure using Terraform to automate Azure services
  • Developed services using .NET Core 6, MVC, Entity Framework, React, and Angular
  • Migrated on-premises database structures to Azure SQL with high availability
  • Created event messaging services, serverless function apps, and blob storage integrations
  • Developed authorisation service with Auth0 and OpenID
  • Chaired Employee Engagement Team, managing £50k annual budget
Technologies Used:
.NET Core 6ReactAngularAzureTerraformAuth0Microservices
Developer
Assured Futures, Cheltenham
August 2019 – January 2021
  • Managed Compare the Market Over 50's life insurance remodel project
  • Developed web applications using Angular and ASP.NET
  • Delivered projects using Agile methodology
  • Created RESTful API applications with Microsoft Blazor platform
Technologies Used:
AngularASP.NETBlazorREST APIsAgile
Frontend Developer
Limegreentangerine, Cardiff
July 2017 – July 2019
  • Analysed and debugged front and back-end performance issues
  • Updated legacy websites to modern security standards
  • Designed and developed MVC Content Management Systems
Technologies Used:
MVCCMSPerformance OptimizationSecurity

Education

Aberystwyth University
BSc (Hons) Internet Computing and Systems Administration
Graduation: July 2017

Degree classification: 2:2

Technologies Used:
Computer ScienceSystems AdministrationNetworking
Bryntirion Comprehensive School
A Levels and GCSEs
September 2005 - July 2012
  • A Levels: Computing, Biology, Maths, and Welsh Baccalaureate
  • 11 GCSEs A*-C including Maths, English, and Science
Technologies Used:
ComputingMathematicsBiology

Technical Skills

Technical Expertise

Full-stack development with focus on modern web technologies, cloud architecture, and DevOps practices.

Frontend
React Expert
Modern React with hooks, context, and functional components
3+ years experience
Hooks Context Redux
Angular Expert
Angular 2+ with TypeScript, services, and RxJS
4+ years experience
TypeScript RxJS Services
JavaScript/TypeScript Expert
ES6+, TypeScript, modern JavaScript patterns
5+ years experience
ES6+ TypeScript Async/Await
HTML/CSS Expert
Semantic HTML, CSS3, responsive design, animations
7+ years experience
CSS3 Responsive Animations
Blazor Advanced
Blazor WebAssembly and Server, component development
2+ years experience
WebAssembly Components SignalR
Backend
.NET / C# Expert
.NET Core, C#, ASP.NET, modern .NET development
5+ years experience
.NET Core ASP.NET C#
SQL / Entity Framework Advanced
SQL Server, Entity Framework, database design
4+ years experience
SQL Server EF Core Migrations
Azure / Cloud Advanced
Azure services, cloud architecture, serverless
3+ years experience
Azure Serverless Functions
REST APIs / Microservices Advanced
RESTful APIs, microservices architecture, API design
4+ years experience
REST Microservices Swagger
Tools & DevOps
Git Expert
Version control, branching strategies, Git workflows
5+ years experience
GitFlow Rebase Merge
Docker Intermediate
Containerization, Docker Compose, container orchestration
2+ years experience
Containers Compose Images
CI/CD Advanced
Continuous integration, deployment pipelines, automation
3+ years experience
Pipelines Automation Azure DevOps
Terraform Intermediate
Infrastructure as Code, cloud resource management
2+ years experience
IaC Azure Modules
Other & Methodologies
Agile / Scrum / Kanban Advanced
Agile methodologies, sprint planning, team collaboration
5+ years experience
Scrum Kanban Sprints
Mentoring Advanced
Junior developer mentoring, code reviews, knowledge sharing
3+ years experience
Code Reviews Training Leadership
Stakeholder Communication Expert
Technical communication, requirements gathering, presentations
5+ years experience
Presentations Requirements Documentation

Personal Accolades

2023 - Elected Chair of Falco Employee Engagement Team at Thinkproject
2018/2019 - Treasurer of Sunday League Football Club
2016/2017 - Aberystwyth Full University Colours (for Sporting Excellence)
2016/2017 - President of Tarannau (American Football Club) Aberystwyth

References Available upon Request