Jake Neal
Experienced Lead Front-End/Full-Stack Engineer
based in Manchester, UK
Technical Expertise
- ES6+ JavaScript/TypeScript
- SSG / JAMStack / Headless
- Vue.js / React
- Nuxt / Next.js
- SSR / Performance optimisation
- State management (Pinia, Vuex, Zustand)
- Testing (Vitest, Vue Test Utils, Jest, Testing Library, Pest, VRT)
- Accessibility
- Semantic HTML
- Version control (Git)
- Build tools (Vite, Webpack)
- BEM & other CSS methodologies
Recent Experience
-
Lead React Developer (Contract) • Governors' Virtual Office
May 2025—Present
As a contract Lead React Developer, I'm guiding a full rebuild of GVO's API-driven web app using React, TypeScript, and Vite. The component layer is built with Material UI and documented in Storybook; quality is enforced via Vitest and React Testing Library with end-to-end coverage in Playwright. The application architecture uses TanStack Router for routing, TanStack Query for data-fetching and caching, and TanStack Form with Zod for schema-first validation, with Zustand for local state management. I lead the project end-to-end—defining architecture and coding standards—and work closely with UX to improve the product experience, using real-user data to drive design and implementation decisions.
Technologies used:
- CI/CD
- ESLint
- GitHub Actions
- Material UI
- Playwright
- Prettier
- React
- React Testing Library
- Storybook
- Stylelint
- TanStack Form
- TanStack Query
- TanStack Router
- TypeScript
- Visual Regression Testing
- Vite
- Vitest
- Zod
- Zustand
-
Senior Full-Stack Developer (Contract) • OneTwo
April 2025—October 2025
As a contract Senior Full-Stack Developer, I partnered with OneTwo to modernise their stack and ways of working, then delivered a ground-up rebuild of a core web application. I introduced a contemporary Vue.js + TypeScript toolchain (Vite, ESLint, Prettier, Stylelint) with Storybook-driven component development and rigorous testing via Vitest and Vue Test Utils. In parallel, I coached the team on agile practices and TDD/BDD, setting lightweight ceremonies, working agreements, and quality gates.
For the greenfield rebuild, I designed and implemented a Laravel + Inertia.js architecture with Pinia and Tailwind, strongly-typed forms using TanStack Form + Zod, and real-time features over WebSockets with Laravel Reverb and Echo. I added design tokens powered by Style Dictionary and introduced visual regression testing to protect the UI. I set up CI/CD pipelines and Dockerised builds, and provisioned DigitalOcean infrastructure with Terraform (IaC). The front-end consumed named routes via Ziggy. I also produced the design system in Figma to align design and engineering.
Technologies used:
- Bootstrap
- CI/CD
- Composer
- Design Tokens
- DigitalOcean
- Docker
- ESLint
- Figma
- Inertia.js
- Laravel
- Laravel Sail
- Monorepo
- PHP
- Pest
- Pinia
- Prettier
- Storybook
- Style Dictionary
- Stylelint
- Tailwind
- TanStack Form
- Terraform
- TypeScript
- Visual Regression Testing
- Vite
- Vitest
- Vue Test Utils
- Vue.js
- WebSockets
- Ziggy
- Zod
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Lead Full-Stack Developer (Contract) • The Event Verse
October 2024—January 2025
As a contract Lead Full-Stack Developer, I worked with The Event Verse on the rebuild of their existing event management system, laying the groundwork for enhanced functionality and a better user experience. In this role, I established coding standards to ensure a consistent and maintainable codebase. Leveraging Laravel, Inertia.js, Vue.js, and Tailwind, I developed a modern, responsive foundation for the system, setting the stage for future development.
I also wrote unit and feature tests using PestPHP to ensure the reliability of the codebase. We chose to host the project on AWS using Laravel Vapor, providing scalable and efficient deployment capabilities. I set up the project infrastructure, delivered a solid foundation, and worked on the core functionality to enable the team to seamlessly continue building upon it.
Technologies used:
- AWS
- AWS Lambda
- Docker
- Inertia.js
- Laravel
- Laravel Sail
- Laravel Vapor
- PHP
- Pest
- Pinia
- Prettier
- Tailwind
- Terraform
- TypeScript
- Vite
- Vue.js
- Ziggy
-
Design Systems Specialist (Contract) • Nivoda
August 2024—December 2024
As a contract Design Systems Specialist I worked with Nivoda to develop and deliver their internal design system. In this role, I was responsible for creating a comprehensive and scalable design system that ensures consistency across their digital products.
This involved collaborating closely with the design and engineering teams to establish reusable UI components, design patterns, and documentation that streamline the development process. I focused on aligning the system with brand guidelines, improving efficiency, and enhancing the overall user experience across all platforms, while ensuring the design system is flexible and adaptable for future growth.
Technologies used:
- Design Tokens
- ESLint
- Figma
- Material UI
- Monorepo
- Nx
- Prettier
- React
- Storybook
- Style Dictionary
- Stylelint
- TypeScript
- Visual Regression Testing
- Vite
-
Front-End Developer (Contract) • Wonderful
August 2024—October 2024
As a contract Front-End Developer, I worked with Wonderful to deliver a greenfield custom CRM system for one of their clients. My role involved developing the front-end, turning design concepts into responsive, user-friendly interfaces.
I collaborated closely with the back-end development team to integrate API functionality, ensuring smooth data flow and system interactions. I focused on optimising performance, usability, and scalability, while adhering to best practices in coding, accessibility, and security. This project required close attention to detail and the ability to deliver a highly tailored solution that met the client's specific business requirements.
Technologies used:
- Chart.js
- Figma
- Laravel
- Nuxt
- PHP
- Pinia
- Prettier
- Tailwind
- TypeScript
- VeeValidate
- Vite
- Vue.js
- Zod
-
Front-End Developer (Contract) • Astound Digital
April 2024—June 2024
As a contract Front-End Developer, I worked with Astound on a significant eCommerce site rebuild for one of their key clients. My responsibilities included converting design mockups into fully responsive, high-performance web pages, ensuring a seamless user experience across various devices and browsers.
I collaborated closely with the design, UX, and back-end development teams to implement modern front-end technologies, optimise site performance, and enhance overall functionality. This involved integrating APIs, improving SEO, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. I played a pivotal role in delivering a robust, scalable, and visually appealing eCommerce platform within the project timelines.
Technologies used:
- BFF
- ESLint
- Monorepo
- Nuxt
- Prettier
- Storybook
- Stylelint
- Tailwind
- TypeScript
- Vite
- Vitest
- Vue Storefront
- Vue.js
- Zod
-
Lead Front-End Engineer (Full-time) • YourParkingSpace
March 2021—March 2024
As the Lead Front-End Engineer at YPS, I spearheaded the complete rebuild of the marketplace website from the ground up using Vue.js, Nuxt, TypeScript, and BootstrapVue. The redevelopment focused on accessibility, performance, and scalability to provide a seamless user experience. I established and enforced coding standards across the team, introducing linting, unit and component testing, visual regression testing (VRT), GitHub Actions, and Storybook to ensure code consistency and adherence to best practices.
In addition to technical responsibilities, I was also in charge of building and managing the front-end team, which included hiring developers, conducting 1:1s, creating personal development plans (PDPs), and leading performance reviews.
I also played a key role in enhancing YPS's B2B and B2B2C platforms, driving improvements in functionality and user experience across these channels.
Technologies used:
- AWS
- AWS Lambda
- Bootstrap
- BootstrapVue
- CI/CD
- ESLint
- GitHub Actions
- GraphQL
- Laravel
- Micro frontends
- Monorepo
- Next.js
- Nuxt
- PHP
- Prettier
- React
- React Native
- Serverless
- Storybook
- Strapi
- Stylelint
- TeamCity
- Terraform
- Turborepo
- TypeScript
- Visual Regression Testing
- Vite
- Vitest
- Vue Test Utils
- Vue.js
-
Front-End Developer (Full-time) • Mainline Menswear
June 2020—March 2021
As a Front-End Developer at Mainline, I primarily focused on enhancing both the UK and International websites, as well as introducing new features to improve user experience. I worked closely with Google to optimise the websites’ Core Web Vitals and overall performance. In addition to my work on the main sites, I was responsible for creating one-off marketing assets, building chatbots, and implementing testing frameworks and Storybook for component development. I also prioritised improving accessibility across the sites to ensure they met modern standards, providing a better experience for all users.
Technologies used:
- CSS
- HTML
- JavaScript
- Jenkins
- Jest
- Laravel
- Node.js
- Nuxt
- PHP
- React
- React Native
- SCSS
- Storybook
- Swift
- SwiftUI
- Vue Test Utils
- Vue.js
- Webpack
- WordPress
-
Front-End Developer (Full-time) • Big Brand Ideas
May 2018—June 2020
At Big Brand Ideas, I was responsible for developing highly scalable websites of various sizes for clients across multiple industries, creating interactive user interfaces with Vue.js and React. By leveraging progressive enhancement techniques, I utilised the latest front-end features while ensuring compatibility for users on older browsers. In addition to my front-end duties, I occasionally took on full-stack responsibilities, contributing to back-end development using Laravel and WordPress to build robust systems that met client needs. This diverse role allowed me to work across the entire development stack, ensuring seamless integration between front- and back-end functionalities.
Technologies used:
- Advanced Custom Fields
- CSS
- Drupal
- HTML
- JavaScript
- Jest
- Laravel
- Larevel Nova
- Magento
- Node.js
- Nuxt
- PHP
- React
- SASS
- SCSS
- VeeValidate
- Vue.js
- Webpack
- WordPress
-
Full-Stack Web Developer (Full-time) • The Garden Creative Marketing (formerly, Robot Creative)
July 2015—May 2018
As a Full-Stack Web Developer at The Garden, my role encompassed both front- and back-end development, focusing on building mobile-first CMS and static websites. I developed custom PHP frameworks and systems adhering to PSR-2 standards, while utilising the latest front-end technologies to deliver modern, responsive websites. I was also responsible for creating large, complex systems that integrated with external APIs, as well as developing HTML5 web applications used by hundreds of users daily. Additionally, I set up and maintained web servers running LEMP and Node.js stacks, ensuring robust performance and scalability across all projects.
Technologies used:
- Advanced Custom Fields
- Apache
- CI/CD
- CSS
- Composer
- Express.js
- Gulp.js
- HTML
- JavaScript
- Laravel
- Linux
- MySQL
- Nginx
- Node.js
- PHP
- PostCSS
- SASS
- SCSS
- Vue.js
- Webpack
- WordPress
-
Web Developer (Full-time) • BuyAssociation
May 2011—June 2015
At BuyAssociation, I was responsible for developing pixel-perfect WordPress websites from provided designs, handling the full process from start to finish. My role also included building and maintaining microsites for clients, as well as maintaining and enhancing existing client websites to ensure optimal performance and functionality. In addition, I set up and maintained Linux web servers and created HTML emails for lead generation campaigns. I also worked on several bespoke projects, such as building a custom agents' portal for clients and developing an internal staff portal that integrated multiple services, databases, and resources for streamlined management.
Technologies used:
- Advanced Custom Fields
- Apache
- Bootstrap
- CSS
- Gulp.js
- HTML
- JavaScript
- Linux
- MySQL
- Nginx
- PHP
- SASS
- SCSS
- Webpack
- WordPress