Experience

Kinsta®

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Head Of Development (MarTech)

  • Jul 2022 - Present

• Head Of Web Development

  • Jun 2021 - Jun 2022

• Support Lead, APAC

  • May 2020 - May 2021

• Support Engineer (WordPress, Linux & Nginx)

  • Mar 2019 - Apr 2020

  As a member of the APAC support team, I was responsible for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to server configuration, performance, and security. My daily tasks involved adjusting NGINX configuration files, editing PHP settings, configuring reverse proxies, installing Redis and Elasticsearch, reviewing logs for PHP and server errors, installing SSL certificates, removing malware, and troubleshooting a wide variety of performance and config issues.To be successful in this role, it required a deep understanding of web technologies, including Linux, NGINX, MySQL/MariaDB, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, DNS, CDN, Reverse Proxy, and object and page caching.In addition to my technical expertise, sharp problem-solving and customer service skills were essential. I communicated daily with customers via live chat, providing clear and concise solutions to their technical problems, while also juggling multiple conversations at once.



Melissa Choy (Freelance)

• Australia
• IT Services and IT Consulting

• Freelance Software Engineer

  • Jan 2008 - Present

  With over 15 years of experience as a Freelance Software Engineer, I have developed a versatile skill set in the tech industry. I specialize in web application development using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and React for UI development. I have hands-on experience in mobile app development for both iOS and Android platforms, as well as in PHP and WordPress development for creating user-friendly websites. Additionally, I am skilled in Linux server administration and DevOps. With over 15 years of experience as a Freelance Software Engineer, I have developed a versatile skill set in the tech industry. I specialize in web application development using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and React for UI development. I have hands-on experience in mobile app development for both iOS and Android platforms, as well as in PHP and WordPress development for creating user-friendly websites. Additionally, I am skilled in Linux server administration and DevOps.



Red Ant

• India
• Media Production

• Ruby on Rails Developer

  • Feb 2021 - May 2021

  As a Full Stack Rails Developer, I contributed to the development and maintenance of several SaaS products in the Real Estate (PropTech) and Marketing (MarTech) space. My work included a combination of development support, maintenance tasks, and feature implementation projects. In the PropTech space, I worked on a Property Management product and focused on improving security by implementing Audit trails, 2FA, strong password requirements, and restricted login attempts. In the MarTech space, I contributed to the implementation of a new user experience for a multi-tenant SaaS product, with configurable theming for different tenants, allowing for white labelling.



Paper Moose

• Australia
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Backend Developer & DevOps Engineer

  • Sep 2020 - Dec 2020

  I led the backend development efforts for ozharvest.org, a high-traffic website for an impactful non-profit organization. The website backend was built on WordPress, running on Ubuntu servers with Nginx and php-fpm. I implemented a robust continuous integration and deployment pipeline using Ansible, with dedicated staging and production environments, to automate server administration tasks and deployment operations, ensuring timely and efficient code releases. I also implemented AWS backup strategies and monitoring systems to ensure high availability and disaster recovery of the website. I actively participated in sprint planning, daily standups and communicated effectively with the development team to ensure a smooth development process. I built server-side components for custom theme + plugins, with a focus on building custom plugins and integrations of the highest quality. Additionally, I configured and built custom integrations, selected and implemented appropriate workflows for content using Gutenburg and media entry using ACF. I collaborated with the frontend developer to build content modules and completed technical documentation for handoff to the OzHarvest IT team. I continuously improved the code quality and maintainability by implementing code review and automated testing process. Lastly, I worked closely with the development team to improve performance of the platform by implementing caching, optimizing database queries and implementing microservices.



Otilas IT

• Australia
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Technical & Operations Director

  • 2012 - 2019

  As Technical & Operations Director at Otilas IT, I led the day-to-day operations of the technical support and project teams for a Managed IT Service provider. I mentored junior engineers and developers, and managed a combination of software development and IT infrastructure projects for clients in a range of industries including Education, Construction, Professional Services, Financial Services, Insurance, Travel, and Hospitality. I established and implemented IT and operational processes and procedures, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings. I worked with senior management and client stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and implement change, resulting in increased customer satisfaction. I evaluated, selected, and led the implementation of new technologies, and ensured that the team was up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in IT. I regularly reviewed and reported on service delivery and progress against agreed service level agreements and key performance indicators. I assisted the Managing Director and Sales Manager with technical proposals and client pitch meetings, as well as project kick-off meetings, and managed a combination of both technical and non-technical team members. I have expertise in a wide range of technologies and services including IT consulting, managed services, managed cloud hosting, virtualization, active directory, SharePoint, Office 365, G Suite / Google Workspace, VoIP, Windows and Linux server administration, e-commerce, and application development, API, and systems integration.

• Lead Frontend Engineer

  • 2007 - 2013

  As a Lead Frontend Engineer at Red Ant, I led the frontend development efforts for high-end, engaging websites and digital products at a technical-focused agency specializing in Ruby on Rails. I worked on large clients such as Huggies, City of Sydney, Yates, Selleys and many others. I implemented and maintained complex frontend features using a variety of technologies and frameworks, and occasionally stepped in to handle backend development as well. I collaborated closely with designers and project managers to ensure that the final product met the client's requirements and exceeded their expectations. Additionally, I guided and mentored junior frontend developers on the team.



iSell

• E-Learning Providers

• Senior Web Developer

  • 2005 - 2007

  As a Senior Web Developer at iSell, I was responsible for designing and implementing e-commerce websites for clients using technologies such as JSP, JSTL, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. I also integrated payment gateways and deployed Java web applications to Apache Tomcat environments. One of my key contributions was leading the development of version 5 of the iSell e-commerce and service manager web-based products. I collaborated with the web team to craft wireframes and design the user interface using Adobe Photoshop. I ensured that the front-end followed strict standards, using CSS-based layouts, unobtrusive JavaScript, and semantically structured markup. Additionally, I worked closely with the Java team to develop these products, ensuring best practices were followed, with a particular focus on separating concerns and following the DRY principle. Through these projects, I honed my skills in web standards and best practice engineering principles, as well as gaining hands-on experience in e-commerce website design and development, payment gateway integration, and UI/UX design. My attention to detail and understanding of user experience have been vital to my career as a web developer.



Emerging Systems

• Australia
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Technical Support Engineer

  • Feb 2004 - Feb 2005

  As a technical support engineer at Emerging Systems, I was responsible for providing technical support to customers on a wide range of issues. My primary duty was to handle customer inquiries, troubleshoot technical issues, and provide solutions. I also assembled, configured, and troubleshot custom PCs and servers. In addition, I configured and troubleshot customer networks, monitored system logs, and identified errors and issues. I carried out basic system admin tasks such as managing user accounts, backups, and updates. Another important aspect of my role was helping customers find the best IT products for their needs and providing quotes. I also created and maintained user accounts for customers on different servers (Windows, Linux, UNIX). This role required me to have a wide range of technical skills and knowledge in areas such as networking, system administration, and customer service. It helped me develop a deep understanding of the IT industry and the importance of providing excellent customer service. This role laid the foundation for my career in IT and tech support.



HotDesign

• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Web Designer & Developer

  • Feb 2003 - Feb 2005