Simon Rose profile

Hi, I’m Dr Simon Rose.

Welcome to my online CV and blog.

I am a software engineer and tech leader with 10+ years of experience building and leading high-performing, innovative and results-driven software development teams. I have led the design, development and delivery of complex software projects across finance, education and academia.

I'm currently working as a Principal Engineer at Oak National Academy, after running my own software consultancy for several years. I am also an assessor on the Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Integrated Degree Apprenticeship, helping to shape the next generation of tech leaders.

I pride myself on my leadership and communication skills. I am exceptional at organisation, process implementation and attention to detail. I hold a PhD in Computer Science and Education, and my research focused on creating games to teach children programming skills. The game I created, Pirate Plunder is available to play for free online.

In my spare time, I love to read, exercise and travel. I'm on a perpetual journey to understand and improve myself, which you can read more about on my blog.

I’d love to hear from you, please get in touch!

Experience


Principal Engineer

April 2024 - Present

Oak National Academy

Lead End Point Assessor (Part-time)

August 2020 - Present

Sheffield Hallam University

I was brought in as the first End Point Assessor on the Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Integrated Degree Apprenticeship run by Sheffield Hallam University. Assessors must be actively working in the software industry and have a minimum of a Master’s degree in the field. The assessment is used by software companies of varying sizes to develop their employees and gear them towards management.

As part of the role, I have:

  • Developed an assessment process, including assessment schemes and question frameworks, based on the Government provided standard.
  • Conducted the assessments for 40 apprentices over 3 years, each involving a 2 hour discussion and grading a 10,000 word project report.
  • Onboarded two additional assessors, one in Software Engineering and another in Data Analytics.
  • Improved the process and tracking of the assessments year-on-year, working with the teaching team at Sheffield Hallam.
  • Automated parts of the process such as document generation.

Director

May 2020 - August 2024

RoseTech

I started my own software consultancy company in 2020. This involved providing software development, technical leadership and software engineering consultancy services to a variety of clients from digital agencies to universities. My work at 542 Digital, MTa Learning and Loughborough University was all undertaken through RoseTech.

Lead Software Engineer

October 2023 - April 2024

Thrive

After taking a short career break to go travelling, I took a role at Thrive to further build my leadership and management experience.

This involved:

  • Guided the front-end implementation of Thrive's learning platform using React, TypeScript, Redux and GraphQL. Ensuring code is fast, testable, scalable and high quality.
  • Line managed a team of 8 front-end software engineers (4 direct and 4 indirect) including leads and seniors, guiding personal development and setting goals through 1:1s.
  • Built a productive culture of openness and collaboration on the frontend team.
  • Implemented best practices and making frontend architectural decisions.
  • Worked on platform health and technical debt initiatives, collaborating with back-end, QA and cloud engineers on Thrive’s event-driven microservice architecture.
  • Developed Thrive's front-end deployment strategy using AWS and Bitbucket pipelines.
  • Built out Thrive's component library using Storybook and MUI, working closely with the UX team.
  • Expanded the team through interviewing and hiring permanent and contract software engineers.
  • Set up and leading Thrive's working group for conference attendance.
  • Organised and running tech meetups and internal conferences.
  • Consulted on the implementation of Notion across the business.
  • Contributed to Thrive's experience forum, addressing employee concerns and issues through a monthly survey.

Principal Software Engineer

April 2022 - March 2023

542 Digital

As 542 Digital took on more work and expanded into other operating areas, my responsibilities broadened and I was promoted to a Principal role. During this time I:

  • Oversaw the development of 19 fintech web applications, both data-driven and creative, using TypeScript, React, Redux and Next.js. Most of these applications are restricted access, but publicly available examples include Power With Gold, invest.gold and Gold Return Attribution Model.
  • Led a team of 5 engineers, supporting their personal and professional development through 1:1s and continuous feedback.
  • Implemented Agile processes to both the frontend and backend teams at 542, including regular sprint planning, retrospectives and backlog planning.
  • Seconded to another team within the business to implement software development processes such as code review, coding standards, commit message linting and regular process meetings.
  • Worked across technical teams to produce cross-platform solutions.
  • Conducted feasibility studies, business case development and project budgeting.
  • Documented and reported projects across the business.
  • Was instrumental in enabling the business to expand from data-driven applications to creative-driven web applications, which the frontend team now build in Next.js with TypeScript.
  • Created and delivered presentations to senior stakeholders on new projects and analysis of existing parts of the business.
  • Conducted interviews for other roles in the business, including Project Managers and Designers.
  • Consulted the business on growth from a small agency (10 employees) to an SME (40 employees) and acted as a de-facto Director in terms of financial and business discussions.

Chief Technology Officer

January 2022 - March 2023

MTa Learning

I was hired to oversee the development and implementation of the MTa Immersion online platform.

My time as CTO involved:

  • Architecting the technical solution (full-stack TypeScript using Next.js, Nest.js and MongoDB) to replace the legacy platform (Unity and Photon) based on requirements from the Managing Director.
  • Overseeing the delivery of 18 web applications and APIs for the platform activities using the above technology stack for MTa Immersion.
  • Hiring software engineers and designers at multiple levels to implement the platform.
  • Handling the product strategy of MTa Immersion, including road-mapping, and managing task priorities and dependencies.
  • Ideation and design of bespoke business simulations for large corporate clients.
  • Managing projects using the Agile methodology.
  • Developing a productive and open culture within the MTa Immersion team.
  • Implementing processes for software development, communication and handling remote teams.
  • UI/UX design in Figma using a design system of components and variables.
  • Scaling the business through outsourcing and subscription targets.
  • Aligning the MTa Immersion platform with MTa Learning business strategy.
  • Attending expos and selling the MTa Learning products, including MTa Immersion, on the stand.

Lead Software Engineer

October 2021 - March 2022

542 Digital

As 542 Digital grew and I transitioned to 4 days a week. I was given the opportunity to lead the frontend team.

During my time as Team Lead, I:

  • Hired software engineers at different levels to build a productive and cohesive team.
  • Managed a team of 5 engineers, and managed projects before 542 hired a dedicated project manager for the team.
  • Overhauled the frontend tech stack from JavaScript/jQuery projects sitting within a larger Laravel application, to standalone TypeScript/React projects that can handle additional complexity.
  • Oversaw the development of 8 fintech web applications, both data-driven and creative, using TypeScript, React, Redux and Next.js. Publicly available examples include 542 Digital's Website and Qaurum.
  • Implemented a git submodule library for shared functionality across 542 React applications, including components with Storybook and utility functions.
  • Transitioned the business to use Notion for documentation and implemented standardised documentation practices.
  • Implemented a testing strategy for frontend projects, including using automated tests in Cypress.
  • Implemented a code review process and coding standards.
  • Configured application deployments to AWS using Docker/EKS and Amplify, Vercel and Cloudflare Pages.
  • Configured reusable CI/CD pipelines in Gitlab for the frontend projects, including versioning, change logs and linting.
  • Designed API schemas for integration of frontend applications with the other tech stacks used within the business, mainly Drupal and Laravel.
  • Overhauled 542’s project design phases to use Figma and created design systems and UI/UX designs for frontend projects. I then handed this off when they began hiring a design team.

Senior Senior Software Engineer - frontend

July 2021 - September 2021

542 Digital

I initially joined 542 Digital part-time as a Senior Software Engineer.

During this time I:

  • Developed 2 web applications in React, JavaScript and Highcharts. Both these tools are restricted access.
  • Maintained 4 legacy applications in JavaScript and jQuery.
  • Was involved in high-level discussions with internal and external stakeholders on implementation strategy for a large project.

Software Engineer (Freelance)

May 2021 - September 2021

The Black Eye Project

I maintained and built websites for The Black Eye Project. This involved:

Senior Software Engineer (Freelance)

April 2021 - August 2021

Only The Brave

I built banners for ad campaigns and maintained websites for Only The Brave. This involved:

  • Working on legacy Vue web applications, including Giraffe.
  • Building animated HTML banners in Figma for large-scale advertising campaigns for Lloyds Pharmacy.

Technical Director

August 2020 - March 2022

Rose Brothers Digital

My brother and I started and ran a digital marketing business in lockdown. This involved:

  • Designing and developing bespoke websites.
  • SEO optimisation over the lifetime of the sites.
  • Client outreach and lead generation.

Senior Software Engineer (Freelance)

May 2020 - March 2023

Loughborough University

I built software for two research projects at Loughborough University, this involved:

  • Understanding and interpreting client requirements using my understanding of research and research software.
  • Developing full-stack applications using Vue.js, Vuex, Express and MongoDB (Cognitive Function Task) and Angular, RXJS and Firebase (Numeralis).
  • Deploying applications to on premises servers using PM2 and Nginx.
  • Designing UI/UX using Figma.
  • Conducting regular meetings to handle client requirements using an Agile approach.

Associate Lecturer (Part-time)

September 2016 - October 2020

Sheffield Hallam University

As part of my PhD scholarship, I lectured on Computer Science and Software Engineering modules. I was then hired on a part-time basis after completing the degree.

This involved:

  • Preparing and delivering teaching content on a number of undergraduate Computer Science and Software Engineering modules, including Fundamentals of Programming (using C++) and Group Software Development (JavaScript.)
  • Supervising MSc, BSc and BEng students on their final year projects.
  • Student voice ‘outstanding’ member of staff 2016-17 and 2019-20.

Computing Teacher

September 2018 - July 2019

Mercia Secondary School

I worked part-time as a Computing teacher at Mercia, teaching the first year group into a new school whilst they hired a full-time member of staff.

This involved:

  • Preparing and delivering teaching content in line with the Computer Science curriculum.

Software Engineer

September 2013 - May 2016

3Squared

I did my industrial placement at 3Squared, and was kept on part-time whilst finishing my degree. I was recently interviewed as a former placement student.

The position involved:

  • Developing full-stack web applications in C# using ASP.NET MVC and Web Forms.
  • Improving JavaScript and CSS practices.
  • Working in Agile teams.
  • Code reviews.
  • Version control Team Foundation Server and later Git, as the company transitioned towards that.
  • API design and implementation.

Skills


Technical

  • React, Next.js and Redux
  • AngularJS and RxJS
  • Vue.js and Nuxt.js
  • TypeScript/JavaScript
  • HTML/CSS/SCSS
  • Node.js
  • Express.js
  • Automated testing (Jest/Cypress/Playwright)
  • MongoDB/SQL databases
  • GraphQL
  • Deployments using Vercel, Netlify, AWS, Google Firebase and Ubuntu servers.
  • Pipeline configuration using Gitlab CI/CD and Jenkins

Design and Project Management

  • UI/UX design
  • Figma
  • Jira/Linear/Trello
  • Agile

Soft Skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Organisation
  • Planning
  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Pragmatism
  • Evaluating competency
  • Situational awareness
  • Leadership
  • Business awareness
  • Educating
  • Presenting
  • Building productive team cultures

Education


PhD Computer Science and Education

September 2016 - October 2019

Sheffield Hallam University

Thesis Title: Developing Children’s Computational Thinking Skills using Programming Games

Supervisors: Dr Jacob Habgood and Dr Tim Jay

My PhD focused on developing programming skills in primary-aged children, and my research is still regularly cited despite moving away from academia. My main output was a programming game called Pirate Plunder, that taught procedural abstraction to children aged 10 and 11. The game is available to play for free and is currently being used by the Federal Center for Technological Education of Rio de Janeiro as part of their programming curriculum.

I created several other web applications during my PhD, to test various computational thinking skills. I also taught part of the Computer Science curriculum (Scratch and Excel) to control groups.

MComp Software Engineering - First Class (Honours)

September 2011 - May 2016

Sheffield Hallam University

Sandwich Course with an Industrial Placement at 3Squared Ltd.

Award Classification Mark: 86.55%