Building and maintaining reliable software, from backend services and web applications to mobile apps and connected devices.
I'm a senior software engineer with experience across backend and web development, mobile applications, integrations, and software delivery. I've worked on products and services in different environments, including Tramex Meters, Ocuco, and The Irish Times.
I enjoy understanding the problem behind a feature, making pragmatic technical decisions, and taking work through implementation, testing, quality assurance, and release. I value readable code, maintainable architecture, automated testing, and continuous improvement.
- Backend: PHP, Laravel, Symfony, Yii, Zend Framework, APIs, and application architecture
- Frontend: JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and Tailwind CSS
- Databases: MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, and PostgreSQL
- Mobile and connected devices: Cross-platform mobile applications and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) integrations
- Engineering practices: Testing, refactoring, code quality, troubleshooting, and delivery
- Currently expanding: TypeScript and modern frontend development (React)
- PHP application development and maintenance
- Web application architecture and API integration
- Legacy application modernisation
- Database-backed applications
- JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Responsive interfaces and styling
- Frontend integration with backend APIs
- Building experience with TypeScript
- Cross-platform mobile application development
- Mobile app quality assurance and store releases
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- GATT services, characteristics, and device communication
- Software integration with connected measurement devices
- Unit testing and test-driven development (TDD)
- Refactoring, maintainability, and coding standards
- Object-oriented design and architectural decisions
- Bug triage, feature prioritisation, and roadmap input
- Quality assurance, troubleshooting, and release management
- Linux-based development and troubleshooting
- Git-based collaboration and release workflows
- Build, test, and deployment processes
I aim to list technologies here only where I can discuss my experience honestly. Tools such as Docker, cloud platforms, and CI/CD systems can be added when there's a concrete project or hands-on experience to point to.
- Maintainability first: favour clear, understandable code and incremental improvements.
- Quality built in: use testing, refactoring, and review to reduce regressions.
- Pragmatic architecture: choose designs that fit the problem and can evolve with it.
- End-to-end ownership: consider implementation, QA, release, and ongoing support—not just writing code.
- Collaborative delivery: help clarify requirements, triage issues, and prioritise technical work.
I use personal projects and open-source work to explore ideas, improve my skills, and share practical solutions. I'm currently expanding my experience with TypeScript and modern frontend tooling.
- Home Assistant: I use this extremely powerful Smart Home platform to manage most aspects of home life
- Self Hosting: I enjoy running my own services that I can access them from whereever I am, including developing ones of my own to fit my own personal needs.
- Open Source: I've contributed to many Open Source projects over the years including Phing (the PHP based Build System), PEAR and others. I'm a longterm member of the PHP Interoperability Framework Group.
- Reading: I enjoy reading a wide range of genres such as Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and autobiographies. And looking at cookbooks for inspiration.
I'm happy to connect about software engineering, PHP development in whichever framework (Laravel, Symfony, Yii, Zend Framework), application architecture, mobile and connected-device software, and interesting engineering opportunities.
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenguest
- GitHub: github.com/kenguest
Thanks for visiting.