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Matt Watson - Web Engineer & WordPress Specialist

(Welcome to my professional portfolio. Here you'll find insights into my experience, key achievements, and the projects I'm passionate about. For inquiries or collaborations, please connect with me on GitHub or LinkedIn.)

Professional Summary

Experienced Web Engineer & Team Leader with over 20 years of expertise in leading technical teams and delivering high-quality WordPress solutions. My core competencies include:

  • Strategic Architectural Decisions: Crafting scalable and efficient architectures optimised for performance and security.

  • Technical Proficiency: Skilled in PHP, JavaScript, and modern WordPress development, including the Block Editor, Full Site Editor, and WooCommerce.

  • Leadership & Mentorship: Strong abilities in stakeholder management, team leadership, and mentoring developers to achieve their full potential.

Key Professional Experience

Web Engineer - Human Made

2022 – Present

  • End-to-End Project Involvement: Engaged in all stages of project development, from sales consultations to delivery and launch.

  • Client Collaboration: Work directly with clients to identify technical requirements and develop tailored solutions.

  • Innovative Problem-Solving: Conduct extensive research on WordPress and related technologies to devise creative solutions for complex challenges.

  • Enterprise WordPress Experience: Leverage the Enterprise WordPress hosting platforms Altis and WordPress VIP to optimise performance and scalability for client projects.

  • Technical Leadership: Lead architecture discussions and make key decisions to ensure projects align with client objectives and industry best practices.

WordPress Developer - Iconic WP (Liquid Web)

2021 – 2022

  • Plugin Management: Oversaw the development and maintenance of a portfolio of commercial WooCommerce plugins.

  • Process Improvement: Introduced and facilitated sprint ceremonies, enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

  • Feature Development: Played a pivotal role in planning and implementing new features based on client feedback and market trends.

  • Team Support: Fostered a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement by supporting team members.

Co-Founder / Director of Engineering - MKDO Ltd.

2013 – 2021

  • Leadership: Led a team specialising in WordPress-based solutions for a diverse client base, including WordPress VIP clients.

  • Process Development: Created and documented internal processes to streamline project delivery and onboarding.

  • Community Engagement: Organised events like WordCamp Sheffield and Front End North, contributing to the developer community.

  • Technical Oversight: Directed the technical strategy of projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to best practices.

For previous technical roles, including my work in Health Care and Local Government, please connect with me on LinkedIn.

Key Achievements

  • Project Leadership: Successfully led technical projects delivering customised WordPress solutions across various industries.

  • User Experience Enhancement: Transformed multiple websites to improve user experience and accessibility.

  • Innovative Development: Developed and managed numerous WordPress sites and applications, boosting service delivery and satisfaction.

  • Process Optimisation: Spearheaded the creation of internal documentation, streamlining workflows and onboarding processes.

  • Product Improvement: Enhanced commercial plugins, reducing support requests through proactive feature development.

Skills & Expertise

  • Technical Skills: PHP, JavaScript, WordPress Development, WooCommerce, WordPress VIP, Altis, GitHub, Docker, REST APIs, PRINCE2.

  • Soft Skills: Leadership, Team Mentorship, Client Communication, Stakeholder Management, Project Management.

  • Community Involvement: Event organisation, public speaking, and active participation in the WordPress community.

Let's Connect

I'm always excited to explore new opportunities and collaborations. If you're interested in working together or have any questions, please reach out to me on:

A Little More About Me

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy programming as a hobby, exploring new technologies and working on personal projects that spark my interest. I'm also an avid fan of musical theatre and love attending performances whenever I can. I believe that balancing technical pursuits with artistic experiences fuels my creativity and brings fresh perspectives to my work.