Will Howlett

fairly good front end engineer

moc.liamg@ttelwohew 258095 90870 github linkedin

Skills

• daily 💪
  • react 🛠️
  • typescript 😻
  • node.js
  • gatsby 👴
  • storybook
• weekly 👍
  • graphql
  • jest / rtl
  • akamai
  • gtm 😴
  • datadog 🐶
• occasionally 👌
  • webpack
  • docker
  • gitlab ci
• familiar 🤏
  • apollo
  • nextjs
  • redux
• learning 📖
  • terraform
  • serverless
• been a while
  • codeceptJS
  • smacss
  • photoshop
• deprecated 💀
  • drupal
  • grunt
• kill it with 🔥
  • AMP 😡
  • sitespect

Employment

Holland & Barrett

Digital Retail

Senior Software Engineer (Dec 2020 - present)

• Day to day development of React components for use on site landing pages consuming data from headless CMS
• Performance profiled components and implemented progressive hydration using react-hydration-on-demand to drastically improve our Core Web Vitals score
  Load example
• Implemented Akamai configuration approach to serve standardised 404 pages across all squads and locales
• Introduced "preHydration" performance techniques to maintain Core Web Vitals when rendering personalied and A/B test components (essentially inline vanilla js to ensure critical dynamic ssr rendered components are updated ASAP ahead of React hydration - because React hydration is slow)
• Oversaw migration of Google Analytics from hybrid app level / Tealium tag mananger implementation to GTM; involving communication and code contribution across multiple squads
• Implemented cross squad / region sitemap aggregation script (and CI pipeline) involving parsing data from multiple APIs and cross referencing generated urls to include hreflang (link rel="alternate") attributes (TDD saved my skin multiple times here)

Dennis

Digital Publishing

Front End Team Lead (Jan 2017 - Dec 2020)

• Integral involvement in front end aspects of migration of legacy Drupal sites to decoupled React / Graphql architecture
• Implementation of Apollo mock server and associated helper functions to aid concurrent development practices
  Load example
• Initial setup of rules engine to inject ads etc. in article content
• Creation of automated testing tooling using CodeceptJS / Puppeteer for use by developers and QA technicians across portfolio of sites
  Load example
• First point of call for queries and guidance on techniques / processes within team, with a focus on overseeing adoptation of new technologies
• Line management and personal development of staff
• Onboarding of remote team based in Kiev
• Oversight of transitioning to React from Riot on buyacar.co.uk
• Implementation of Google Optimize experiments; including creating 'Optimize Ready' event listener
  Load example
• Oversight and implementation of Front End aspects of Buyacar embeddable widget
  Load example

Front End Developer (Jan 2014 - Jan 2017)

• Front End ‘point person’ on major site launches including alphr.com, theweek.co.uk and buyacar.co.uk
  Load example
• Responsible for maintenance and enhancement of Front End areas of Drupal distro, including implementation of modular SMACSS architecture across portfolio
• Creation of proof of concept "Sticky Interscroller" ad format to be pitched to clients
  Load example
• Line of contact between Front End and Back End teams

The Gallery Partnership

IT services for charities

Web Developer (Dec 2009 - Dec 2013)

• Implementation of multiple Drupal website build projects
• Client consultation, training and support
• Proactive engagement with product development / sales

ITV Fixers

Youth media engagement charity

Web Master (Apr 2009 - Dec 2009)

• Site content management using Joomla 😢
• Consultation and training of staff

RedBird Productions

Educational documentary filmmakers

Freelance video editor (Mar 2009)

• Production of four short films 📹

ITV Local

Online regional news

UGC Operative (Nov 2007 - Mar 2009)

• Content moderation and support for user generated video news site
• Video encoding / motion graphics
• Statistical analysis and technical support for staff

Education

Goldsmiths College, University of London

(2003-2006)

• First class honours: BA Media and Communication
• Winner of 2005 London Royal Television Society student award for animation
  Load example

Richmond-Upon-Thames College

(1998-2000)

• A Levels: art / english / sociology

Kings College School, Wimbledon

(1989-1998)

• 10 GCSEs: including english / maths / french / art

Extracurricular

family / punk / comics / cats / video games / lego / radio / films / penge / neverending list of diy jobs

CV built using MDX to convert markdown to React components via Babel and Webpack. Static sidebar examples imported with Copy Webpack Plugin

Extra bits done using React Measure, React Obfuscate and Remark Emoji 😺

“Cat” loading / fav icon by Alina Oleynik from the Noun Project.

willhowlett.netlify.app