Derek Johnston

In this role, I implemented agile methodologies to accelerate project delivery, mentored junior developers, and conducted thorough code reviews to ensure best practices were followed. I fostered a collaborative and innovative environment, leading to the development of robust and versatile projects that significantly added value to the company. I was responsible for comprehensive staff performance reviews, full-cycle recruitment, and facilitating smooth employee transitions. A key achievement was leading the development of Wonderlab, a white-labeled event platform that reduced setup costs for new live events and allowed for extensive client customization. Additionally, I directed cross-functional teams in creating a gamified HR onboarding system, a versatile event platform supporting both online and in-person events, and an administrative hub application offering real-time analytics and user management features.

During this period, I created a Java Android application to replace an existing Cordova app for a shipping company, improving performance and reliability while seamlessly integrating with the existing backend. I developed a map component for the Tackle Hunger project, displaying food banks and their needs across North America. Additionally, I worked on the ongoing development of a professional portfolio for a skilled film craftsman and clock-smith using VueJS/NuxtJS and PHP. I also delivered tailored e-commerce websites, mobile apps, and custom software solutions, significantly enhancing clients' digital presence and operational capabilities.

I developed frontend and backend code for a near real-time data collection system for inspection and auditing in the automotive industry. I maintained test plans, wrote automated and load tests, enhanced dashboard functionality, and optimized slow API calls using Scout APM. Additionally, I resolved issues in iOS and Flutter codebases, improving performance and UX. My exceptional performance during a field placement led to a full-time employment offer.

I collaborated closely with a small team to design and develop an online platform using modern web technologies such as TypeScript, Express.js, and React.js. I played a key role in implementing responsive and dynamic user interfaces with ReactNative and Tailwind CSS, enhancing the platform's overall user experience. I optimized backend functionality using Node.js and Express.js, ensuring efficient data handling and API performance. My contributions included developing a flexible and maintainable codebase by leveraging SASS and Git for version control, as well as actively participating in the testing and debugging process to improve the platform's stability.