Minor overhaul to refactor skills for easier parsing. Removed dead li…

…nks and refined experience sections.

README.md

@@ -1,38 +1,39 @@
 # Paul Castle
 
-[Skills](#skills) | [Experience](#experience) | [Education](#education) | [Interests](#interests--hobbies)
+[Skills](#technical-skills) | [Experience](#experience) | [Education](#education) | [Interests](#interests--hobbies)
 
-Senior Frontend Software Developer with extensive experience in software development, spanning nearly two decades. Skilled in developing a wide range of projects from single-page web apps to enterprise-level applications. 
+Senior Software Developer with extensive experience in Frontend development, skilled in delivering a wide range of products from simple websites to enterprise-level applications. Highly proficient in modern front-end technologies with a strong foundation in back-end development. A proven technical lead, adept at collaborating with agile teams to deliver and maintain high-quality software. Passionate about continuous learning and growth, I actively mentor team members and strive to enhance my skill-set daily.
 
-Highly proficient in various front-end development disciplines and software, with a solid understanding of back-end development and maintenance. As a technical lead on multiple projects, I collaborate with my agile team to produce and maintain high-quality software. Passionate about continuous learning and growth, I actively mentor team members and strive to enhance my skillset daily.
 
-## Skills
+## Technical Skills
+
+**Languages & Frameworks:** JavaScript (Expert), Typescript (Expert), Node.js (Advanced) Python (Intermediate), Angular (Expert), React (Advanced), NgRx (Expert),  RxJS (Advanced), LitJS (Advanced), PHP (Proficient), Karma/Jasmine/Jest (Expert), GraphQL (Proficient), CSS/SASS & Tailwind (Expert)
+
+**Software Development**: Agile Methodologies (Expert) Test-Driven Development (Advanced), Git (Advanced), OOP (Expert), Continuous Integration (Expert), Unit testing (Expert), Web component architecture (Expert), Webhook development (Advanced)
+
+**Devops Tools**:  Docker (Advanced), ADO Pipelines (Intermediate), Grafana + Prometheus (Intermediate)
+
+**UI & UX**: Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator (Advanced), Figma (Expert), Affinity Design (Advanced), React testing library (Advanced)
+
+
+## Additional Skills
 
 - Strong communication and problem solving skills, with the ability to clearly convey concepts, interpret requirements and address complex issues effectively.
-- Highly proficient in Javascript and Typescript development.
-- Committed to writing and maintaining code that is performant, scalable, modular, and to a high standard of quality. Utilises linters, formatters and quality gate tools to ensure consistency across codebases.
-- Experienced with version control tools, primarily Git, for collaborating on projects with teams of various sizes.
-- Experienced in working in agile environments with a number of teams of varying sizes, both in one-off projects and CI/CD products.
-- Extensive experience in developing and maintaining unit tests using Karma, Jasmine, and Jest.
-- Proficient in web application and component frameworks, including Angular, React, and LitJS, and skilled in related build tools such as Webpack, Rollup, and Babel.
-- Highly experienced in developing frontend web applications focused on API interaction, as well as creating headless microservices like webhooks.
-- A solid knowledge of Docker, having developed projects that are specifically built for containerized deployment.
-- Skilled in the development of custom web-components.
-- Strong user interface design and prototyping skills, with proficiency in Adobe, Affinty and Figma tools, aimed at optimizing user experience.
 - Experienced in developing cross-browser and cross-device compatible applications, with a deep understanding of browser feature support and debugging tools.
-- Highly experienced in state management tools (notably NgRx), as well as utilizing asynchronous stream development with RxJS.
+
 
 ## Experience
 
 ### Arria NLG
 
 Senior Frontend & UI/UX Engineer _(2018 - present)_
 
-Currently working with the technology team to develop software that leverages cutting-edge technology to complement the companies core NLG data-to-text capabilities.
+Collaborating with the Technology Team to develop client-facing software that integrates Arria’s cutting-edge data-to-text NLG technology with large language models, generating sophisticated, accurate narratives from complex data and delivering enhanced insights to clients.
 
-- Work primarily with the integrations team to develop and support the deployment of Arria language services into custom host environments.
-- Serve as the tech lead for the frontend suite of components in a development SDK library, intended for use by internal teams and third-party developers.
-- Assist product owners in translating business requirements into technical solutions and support other developers in software architecture design.
+- Serves as Technical Lead for the Connect SDK library, a flagship product used by internal teams and third-party developers, making key architectural decisions to ensure the codebase is performant, scalable, modular, and easy to onboard for new developers, while maintaining high-quality standards.
+- Reinforces code consistency and quality by implementing linters, code formatting, and quality gate tools and comprehensive unit testing.
+- Develops and supports the deployment of Arria language services into custom host environments as plugins, within tools such as MicroStrategy, Power BI, and Tableau, etc.
+- Assist product owners in translating business requirements into technical solutions, and support other developers in software architecture design.
 - Engage in peer reviews and rigorous unit testing to ensure high code quality, and collaborate with the DevOps team to establish and enforce code repository contribution policies.
 - Provide technical and aftercare support to third-party developers, and assist support teams with troubleshooting, debugging and feature demonstrations.
 - Collaborate with local and global colleagues on designing, prototyping, workload planning, and implementing software solutions.
@@ -44,25 +45,29 @@ Currently working with the technology team to develop software that leverages cu
 
 Web developer _(2014 - 2018)_
 
-Served as a key member of the development team, liaised with clients to interpret their requirements and participated in the full life cycle of new projects in addition to the maintenance and tuning of existing projects.
+Served as a key member of the development team, liaised with clients to interpret requirements, and participated in the full life cycle of new projects in addition to the maintenance and improvement of existing projects.
 
-- Hands on development of all web projects from genesis to delivery for clients within a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, charities, hospitality, sports and commerce.
-- Developed projects based around a variety of CMS systems, including the construction of API software, plugins and templates.
-- Developed a custom PHP/SASS/JS boilerplate framework for internal use. This framework provides a quick and efficient starting point for new projects as well as a set of lightweight and common tools.
-- Implemented a preprocessing build system for SASS and JS, and mentored the team in its utilisation.
+- Hands on development of all web projects from idea to delivery, for clients within a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, charities, hospitality, sports and commerce.
+- Developed projects based on a variety of CMS systems, including the construction of RESTful APIs, CMS plugins and templates.
+- Developed several in-house tools, most notably a PHP/SASS/JS custom framework that provided a quick kick-off point for new web app projects.
+- Implemented a preprocessing build system and mentored the team in its utilisation.
 - Provided technical & aftercare support to clients and end users in person, over the phone and via remote desktop.
 - Implemented an internal wiki documentation system that allows the team to track projects and document project-specific procedures.
-- Self directed research and experimentation of emerging web development technologies, and initiating team discussion resulting in the adoption of software and practices beneficial to the company.
+- Self directed research and experimentation of emerging technologies, and initialised team discussions that resulted in the adoption of new practices and tools, increasing development efficiency and productivity. 
+- Ensured GDPR compliance and implemented OWASP best practices.
+
 
-### mindResin
+### Web Design & Development Independent Contractor
 
 Freelance web design & development _(2005 – 2014)_
 
-Self-founded venture that provided web design and development services to individuals and SME as an independent contractor.
+Collaborated with emerging startups and SME to design, develop and maintain a variety of web solutions.
+
+- Provided full service logo and website design, user-journey wire-framing and illustration work, steering the product image from ideation to launch.
+- Designed, developed and deployed over 25 Norwegian municipality websites - several of which claimed maximum possible scores in design quality, usability and accessibility from the Agency for Public Management and eGovernment (DIFI).
+
+More details, as well as client-specific project available on request.  
 
-- Provided designs and illustrations for print and web, including logo development.
-- Designed and developed over 25 Norwegian municipal websites for a recurring client. Three of these sites (Ringsaker, Askim and Marker kommune) were awarded the highest possible rating of 6 stars by DIFI (The agency for public management and eGovernment) for quality in its official 2013 review. Only 33 out of 658 total municipal sites achieved a perfect 6 score. ([Link](http://kvalitet.difi.no/resultat))
-- My portfolio of work was featured in the design magazine 'Zillion Designs', as one of the top 25 portfolios to follow in 2014. ([Link](http://www.zilliondesigns.com/blog/top-25-designer-portfolios-to-follow-in-2014/))
 
 ## Education
 
@@ -72,13 +77,11 @@ BA (Hons) Illustration
 **Uxbridge College, Middlesex**
 BTEC National Diploma in Art Foundation, BTEC National Diploma in I.T. Applications
 
-**Uxbridge High School, Middlesex**
-7 A-C GCSE's
 
 ## Interests & Hobbies
 
-I am passionate about 3D printing technology and have developed skills in 3D modelling, including parametric design and digital sculpting. I enjoy creating both decorative and functional prints, and I actively share my projects with the 3D printing community.
+I am enthusiastic about 3D printing technology and have developed skills in parametric design, digital sculpting and 3D modelling. I enjoy creating both decorative and functional prints, and actively share my projects with 3D printing communities.
 
-In my free time, I work on my homelab setup, engaging in hobby coding projects and deploying self-hosted services. You can find examples of these projects on my GitHub profile.
+In my free time, I maintain my home-lab setup, engaging in hobby coding projects and deployment of self-hosted services. You can find examples of these projects on my GitHub profile.
 
-Additionally, I have a background in illustration and art, and I regularly participate in painting, printmaking, and illustration workshops. My creative pursuits often influence and enrich my work.
+As a creative individual, I also engage my artistic side by regularly participating in sketching, painting, printmaking, and illustration workshops. These creative pursuits often influence and enrich my work.