A full stack web developer with a passion for using modern technologies to yield fantastic end user experiences.
Printed on June 30th 2020, view the latest version at matt-downs.netlify.app
I am a full stack web developer with a focus on creating the best solution possible for the end user. I have a keen interest in using modern web technologies to create web applications that deliver a rich and fluid experience. I am a fast learner who is not afraid to jump straight into a project. I work well in a team, and enjoy connecting with the people I work with. I crave a good challenge, and I am always striving to expand my knowledge and techniques for the future.
I am working in the Retail Solutions team to deliver software solutions that improve the interactions between travel consultants and retail customers. I work with a mix of modern and legacy technologies to both develop and manage several applications that are integral to Flight Centre's business across many countries. I help develop applications using cloud native architecture on AWS and as such have become familiar with many of the services available on this platform. Our modern stack allows us to build feature-rich, statically-hosted web applications using the React framework.
During my time in this role, I worked in a small development team with a focus on React but also touching some PHP and Perl projects. I worked closely with the team's product owner to refine and deliver new features to an existing project, as well as resolve a number of existing bugs. This secondment was a very positive experience for both myself and the team I worked with - I learnt so much about collaboration, peer reviewing, best practices, and the overall agile development cycle.
At a high level, my role focuses on providing front end web development support to both clients and partner companies, specifically relating to Neto’s proprietary B@SE templating language and system configuration. I am also required to manage client expectations when it comes to new software releases, and work closely with the platform engineers and software developers to ensure that the system is working reliably for all clients.
Favourite units include “Software Development”, “Cloud Computing”, “High Performance and Parallel Computing”, “Microprocessors and Digital Systems” and “Mobile Application Development”.
A personal finance tool built to aggregate data from many different accounts.
This tool comprises of a React web application that communicates with a GraphQL backend hosted on a series of AWS lambda functions. Data is stored in AWS DynamoDB for fast and scalable access.
A promise based Neto API client for Node, built in TypeScript and slathered with unit tests. And my first NPM package!
Throughout my studies I found myself regularly wasting time searching for commonly used services on the QUT website. I created this simple Chrome extension to solve this problem by providing a customisable dropdown of helpful links to QUT services such as email and blackboard. I released it on the Chrome Web Store for a few friends to use and is now regularly used by over 300 people. Cool!
Brisbane, QLD 4060
mattdowns6@gmail.com