Richard Jones
Manchester
Summary
As an accomplished Software Developer, I have gained extensive experience in backend web development, specialising in PHP, Laravel, and Symfony to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performance solutions. I am also proficient in frontend technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery, creating seamless, user-centric web experiences. I have a wealth of knowledge designing and integrating RESTful APIs, managing MySQL databases, deploying applications with Docker and implementing rigorous testing and quality assurance processes. I have also had the opportunity to mentor junior developers, fostering knowledge sharing and technical growth, whilst being highly adaptive with continuously expanding technical expertise. I am committed to driving technical excellence and providing reliable software delivery in fast-paced, collaborative environments.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
System Developer
Wren Kitchens
Manchester
01.2025 - Current
- Designed and developed custom software solutions to improve business efficiency and meet specific client requirements.
- Developed and maintained Symfony (PHP) applications supporting the full customer journey, including quotes, orders, installations, and aftersales processes.
- Built and maintained RESTful APIs to enable reliable integration between internal systems and external platforms.
- Worked extensively with MySQL databases, managing complex pricing, quote, and order data, and optimising queries for performance and reliability.
- Developed and maintained TypeScript and React codebases, improving front-end behaviour, application stability, and overall user experience.
- Improved website and application performance through refactoring, bug fixes, and the implementation of advanced coding techniques.
- Created user-friendly interfaces with a strong focus on usability and customer experience.
- Actively participated in Agile Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, estimation, and technical discussions, using JIRA.
- Used Git for version control, including branching strategies, pull requests, and code reviews to maintain high code quality and collaboration.
- Utilised Wren’s Planner tool to create and manage customer quotes and orders, supported by formal training to ensure accuracy.
- Logged time accurately using internal tracking tools to support productivity, reporting, and project planning.
- Provided mentorship to junior team members, promoting strong coding standards, efficient workflows, and best practices to foster professional growth.
- Proactively engaged in extensive professional development through both in-person and online training.
- Successfully achieved all quarterly and annual performance targets linked to personal bonus objectives through structured target tracking.
Software Engineer
Purple Wifi
Manchester
03.2024 - 01.2025
- Collaborated closely with Second Line Support Engineering to diagnose, prioritise, and resolve defects across a suite of PHP applications and microservices, consistently meeting agreed SLAs and improving platform stability.
- Designed, implemented, and optimised data access layers using Doctrine ORM within Symfony, including complex query optimisation, schema migrations and enforcement of data integrity and performance best practices.
- Led development of customer-facing features, including enhancements to Trustpilot integrations and implementation of secure email verification workflows via the NeverBounce API.
- Refactored and optimised legacy PHP codebases to improve performance, maintainability and long-term scalability.
- Drove improvements to internationalisation (i18n) across multiple applications, enabling support for additional languages and improving global user experience.
- Introduced and expanded PHPUnit testing practices, significantly increasing automated test coverage (up to 100% in key modules) and improving overall code quality and release confidence.
PHP Web Developer
Voly Group Ltd
Manchester
03.2022 - 03.2024
- Led full-stack development of Voly Yacht Accounting Software, delivering a scalable accounting platform using PHP (procedural), MySQL and RESTful APIs.
- Contributed to the design and implementation of yacht accounting workflows, creating intuitive user experiences for Captains and Crew members that improved operational efficiency and time management.
- Took ownership of refactoring and modernising the existing codebase, introducing clearer function and variable naming, inline documentation and structured comments to improve maintainability and support future optimisation efforts.
- Implemented and maintained third-party accounting integrations (including Xero and QuickBooks) via external APIs, enabling automated expense management and improving client efficiency by up to 75%.
- Improved overall website performance through code optimisation and asset minification (CSS and JavaScript), achieving a 25% reduction in page load times and faster page rendering.
Junior Web Developer
Key Service Logistics Ltd
Manchester
07.2021 - 03.2022
- Designed and developed full-stack web applications in PHP, processing, analysing and rendering data to support business-critical workflows.
- Implemented the Laravel framework using the MVC architecture, taking responsibility for building and maintaining scalable, secure server-side components.
- Designed and maintained MySQL databases, ensuring reliable storage, data integrity and efficient access to client data.
- Helped define project milestones and delivery timelines, coordinating with team members to ensure work was well-scoped and deadlines were consistently met.
- Built and consumed RESTful APIs, integrating third-party services including Google Maps and JIRA to extend platform functionality.
- Delivered real-time delivery tracking by integrating Google Maps API, improving customer visibility and operational transparency.
Education
Full Stack Web Development - Web Development
Code Institute
Manchester 09.2020 - 07.2021
Bachelor of Science - Full Stack Web Development
University Of Salford
Manchester 09.2016 - 07.2019
A-Levels - IT Software Development
Pendleton Sixth Form College
Manchester 09.2013 - 07.2015
GCSEs - 8 A*-C Including Maths and English
Irlam and Cadishead High School
Manchester 09.2007 - 07.2012
Skills
- HTML and CSS
- PHP and Laravel
- Object-oriented programming
- PHP Unit testing
- Doctrine ORM
- Docker containers
- RESTful APIs
- Git and GitHub
- Bootstrap and Materialize
- JavaScript and jQuery
- Agile methodologies
- User experience design
- Symfony framework
- MySQL databases
- TypeScript language
- API integration
- Version control systems
- REACT
- GIT, JIRA and sprint work
- Bug fixing expertise
- Backend web development
- Product development insight
- Security consciousness
- Adaptable technical learning
- Proactive self-development
- Resilient under pressure
- Solution-Oriented mindset
- Testing and debugging proficiency
- Quality assurance testing
- Effective time management
- Cross-functional communication
Projects
Personal Portfolio Project:
https://richard-ui.github.io/user-centric-project/
JavaScript Restaurant Project:
https://richard-ui.github.io/interactive-milestone-project/
PHP E-Commerce Project:
https://richardjones.host/
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
System Developer
Wren Kitchens
01.2025 - Current
Software Engineer
Purple Wifi
03.2024 - 01.2025
PHP Web Developer
Voly Group Ltd
03.2022 - 03.2024
Junior Web Developer
Key Service Logistics Ltd
07.2021 - 03.2022
Full Stack Web Development - Web Development
Code Institute
09.2020 - 07.2021
Bachelor of Science - Full Stack Web Development
University Of Salford
09.2016 - 07.2019
A-Levels - IT Software Development
Pendleton Sixth Form College
09.2013 - 07.2015
GCSEs - 8 A*-C Including Maths and English
Irlam and Cadishead High School
09.2007 - 07.2012